We’re taking a break from the usual “Closer Report” article this week and taking a look at a few relievers to consider stashing ahead of the trade deadline that is now less than two weeks away.
Every year, we see several closers get traded to contending teams, which opens up an opportunity for another reliever to step into the closer role for those teams. Of course, they usually aren’t contending teams, so opportunities may be limited, but a reliever in a clear closer role can still hold value for fantasy managers.
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Relief Pitcher Stashes: Potential Closers to Add Now
Griffin Jax (RP – MIN)
The Twins had a strong stretch in May where they won 13 games in a row. However, they have since returned to being a middling team and currently sit 11.5 games back in their division and five games back in the Wild Card race.
If they elect to trade Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax could be a player we see step into the closer role for Minnesota. He has not recorded a save this year and has blown four save chances, but he did record 10 saves last season, so he has closer experience. In July, he has posted five scoreless appearances in six outings and would likely be the next man up if Duran is traded.
Reid Detmers (RP – LAA)
One closer who is likely to be traded is Kenley Jansen, who is playing on an expiring contract. He has been one of the top closers in the league so far this season, recording 17 saves with a 3.28 ERA. He struggled in May, though he did not blow any save chances in that span. He has since posted a 2.38 ERA across 11.1 innings in June and has yet to allow a run across six innings in July.
If Jansen is traded, Reid Detmers is likely to step into the closer role for the Angels. The former starter has had his ups and downs this season, but he did not allow a single earned run across 13 innings in June. It was overall a run of 22 straight appearances without allowing an earned run for Detmers.
We could also see Sam Bachman in the mix if Jansen is traded, and potentially Robert Stephenson, who has been on the injured list (IL) since early June with right biceps inflammation.
Pierce Johnson (RP – ATL)
It has been a disastrous season for the Braves as they currently sit 11.5 games back in their division and 9.5 games back in the Wild Card race. That makes Raisel Iglesias a closer who could be on the move by the end of July.
If Iglesias is moved, Pierce Johnson would likely be the next man up for Atlanta, as he was previously the closer for the Rockies before he was traded to Atlanta a couple of years ago. He recorded 13 saves for Colorado in 2023 before he was moved.
One other reliever to monitor for the Braves if Iglesias is traded is Dylan Lee, who has posted a 2.53 ERA on the season with two saves and nine holds. He has struggled a bit to start July, but he did not allow an earned run across 12.2 innings in June.
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