As a general rule, I don’t punt categories, at least not in a rotisserie league. I’ve always felt that it hamstrings you too much coming out of your draft or auction – sure, it can work, but you have to basically pitch a perfect game everywhere else.

But, this past Saturday has me reconsidering my stance. I had just put the kids to bed and was getting ready for a relaxing evening with the Mrs. when randomly, there it was – Cam Bedrosian to the DL with a groin strain. I could walk you through the rest of the night, but let’s just say it ends with me fighting desperately to stay awake to see if Bud Norris or Blake Parker would get the save for the Angels and my marriage on much shakier ground than earlier that day.

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Saves are one category, and yet studies show that fantasy owners spend 60% of their FAAB on relief pitchers (and by studies I mean that’s a figure I made up out of thin air – but sounds about right, no?). It’s a thankless endeavor, one that sees you blowing $74 on Carlos Estevez so you can get an extra four saves.

So yeah, next year, I’m going to reconsider my approach to this whole closer carousel thing. But, for now, we all need every save we can get, so let’s check out the saves landscape (a day early!) and try to figure out what the heck is going on in the relief world.

 
The Big Movers

The aforementioned Angels situation takes a nosedive this week with the surprising Cam Bedrosian groin strain. Bedrosian had been nails so far this season, with a 37.5% strikeout percentage and a Blutarsky-like 0.00 ERA (but, to be fair, his FIP is 0.22). The Angels are saying all the right things and it sounds like Bedrosian will be back shortly after the minimum stay, but who knows? In the meantime, kudos to Angels beat writer Jeff Fletcher, who immediately tweeted out that his money was on Bud Norris to be the fill-in closer. Though the name “Bud Norris” should certainly make you cringe a bit, he’s actually found a nice little home in the Angels bullpen, and he’s done well as a reliever this season (3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, career-high 27.3% strikeout percentage). Expect Norris to hold the job for at least the next week and a half, or whenever Bedrosian returns. Still, the Angels and Norris are 28th in these rankings – let’s not go nuts.

The Mets and Jeurys Familia are the only other situation that moves more than three spots, and it’s in the wrong direction. Familia has looked pretty awful in his brief return, walking four batters in just 2 2/3 innings. And although that’s probably largely due to rust, it’s worth noting that his walk percentage jumped from 6.2% in 2015 to 9.7% in 2016, and it was a way-too-high 10.7% in the second half. There is a minor worry that all the innings from the last few seasons have caught up to him, and the Mets have a capable replacement in Addison Reed. It’s way too early to be seriously worried, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

Random Musings

Wade Davis takes over the coveted fourth spot in the rankings because I like to mix it up, and he’s been pretty dominant this season – you can pretty much flip a coin among those top guys, so don’t read too much into it. But Wade Davis = good.

Tony Watson and Brandon Kintzler inch up the ranks a bit this week because they’ve both produced great numbers so far, but be warned, they’re both likely going to drop down soon. Tony Watson has a sub-1.00 ERA and a FIP over 5.00! I don’t even know how that’s possible. But given that he’s got a sub-5.00 K/9 rate and a near-5.00 BB/9 rate, I have a feeling the ERA will start moving toward that FIP real soon. And Brandon Kintzler has been great, but, like Watson, he’s just not going to survive long with such an abysmal strikeout rate (Kintzler has just a 4.82 K/9). The good times will end soon.

Matt Bush looks really good. Sam Dyson isn’t taking that job back, health permitting.

Pete Mackanin has not named Hector Neris the closer yet, but that’s just plum silly. I get that Mackanin wants to leave himself an out if Neris struggles, but come on. Own Joaquin Benoit as a handcuff if you must, but it’s Neris’s job.

I am just pointing out that Fernando Rodney is still the closer in Arizona and is in no danger of losing his job. One day, way in the future (I hope), Rodney will retire, and the world will be a less joyous place to be.

Shawn Kelley’s job got a little safer with Koda Glover going on the disabled list, but the Nationals are still not going to let him pitch more than two days in a row. Own him. Start him. Hope for the best.

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Dan Harris is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Dan, check out his archive or follow him on Twitter at @danharris80.