Each week during the season, I take a look at the reliever landscape to aid with waiver wire and trade decisions. The trade deadline is an exciting time for relievers switching teams.
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Saves + Holds Leaders
Here are the top 19 healthy relievers in total saves plus holds (SV+H) through July 30th.
| Player | Team | SV+H |
| Robert Suarez | SDP | 30 |
| Abner Uribe | MIL | 29 |
| Josh Hader | HOU | 28 |
| Carlos Estevez | KCR | 28 |
| Jason Adam | SDP | 26 |
| Jeremiah Estrada | SDP | 25 |
| Jeff Hoffman | TOR | 25 |
| Tony Santillan | CIN | 25 |
| Bryan Abreu | HOU | 24 |
| Devin Williams | NYY | 24 |
| Andres Munoz | SEA | 24 |
| Trevor Megill | MIL | 24 |
| Emilio Pagan | CIN | 24 |
| Edwin Diaz | NYM | 23 |
| Aroldis Chapman | BOS | 23 |
| Alex Vesia | LAD | 23 |
| Reed Garrett | NYM | 23 |
Takeaways
- Edwin Diaz has three saves in the past week. Across 3.1 innings, he’s allowed zero runs while striking out five. The Mets were busy in the reliever market at the trade deadline, but none of the acquisitions should worry Diaz’s fantasy managers.
- Aroldis Chapman has turned back the clock with his performance this year. His ERA stands at 1.29, marking the first time since 2016 that he has had a sub-2.00 ERA and the lowest of his impressive 16-year career. His strikeout rate is also in the 100th percentile. You couldn’t ask for more.
- Alex Vesia leads the Dodgers in saves plus holds since Tanner Scott went on the injured list (IL). He hasn’t allowed a run while striking out five in his last four innings. Blake Treinen returned from the IL, but will likely need to keep working the rust off.
Saves + Holds Reliever Rankings
| Rank | Player | Team | Change |
| 1 | Josh Hader | HOU | – |
| 2 | Robert Suarez | SDP | – |
| 3 | Edwin Diaz | NYM | – |
| 4 | Andres Munoz | SEA | +1 |
| 5 | Cade Smith | CLE | +5 |
| 6 | Abner Uribe | MIL | – |
| 7 | Devin Williams | NYY | – |
| 8 | Mason Miller | ATH | – |
| 9 | Bryan Abreu | HOU | – |
| 10 | Jhoan Duran | PHI | +12 |
| 11 | Jason Adam | SDP | – |
| 12 | Aroldis Chapman | BOS | – |
| 13 | Carlos Estevez | KCR | – |
| 14 | Daniel Palencia | CHC | – |
| 15 | Griffin Jax | MIN | – |
| 16 | Jeff Hoffman | TOR | +1 |
| 17 | Alex Vesia | LAD | +2 |
| 18 | Trevor Megill | MIL | – |
| 19 | Camilo Doval | SFG | +1 |
| 20 | Emilio Pagan | CIN | +1 |
| 21 | Jeremiah Estrada | SDP | +3 |
| 22 | Lucas Erceg | KCR | +1 |
| 23 | Luke Weaver | NYY | +3 |
| 24 | Robert Garcia | TEX | +3 |
| 25 | Hunter Gaddis | CLE | +7 |
| 26 | Ryan Helsley | NYM | -1 |
| 27 | Phil Maton | STL | +7 |
| 28 | Tony Santillan | CIN | +1 |
| 29 | Bryan King | HOU | +1 |
| 30 | Will Vest | DET | +10 |
| 31 | Kirby Yates | LAD | -3 |
| 32 | Matt Strahm | PHI | +3 |
| 33 | Kyle Finnegan | WSH | – |
| 34 | Reed Garrett | NYM | -3 |
| 35 | Anthony Bender | MIA | UN |
| 36 | David Bednar | PIT | UN |
| 37 | Reid Detmers | LAA | – |
| 38 | Brendon Little | TOR | +1 |
| 39 | Matt Brash | SEA | UN |
| 40 | Yennier Cano | BAL | UN |
Biggest Risers
Jhoan Duran (RP – PHI) | +12
Jhoan Duran was traded to the Phillies on Wednesday. The Phillies have long needed a pitcher they could rely on late in games, and they finally got their guy. Duran has a 2.01 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 16 saves, one hold and a 9.6 K/9 this season. He has never had more than 27 saves in a season, being used sparingly in Minnesota, but should see all the opportunities he can handle in Philadelphia.
Griffin Jax is the next guy up for the Twins, but his value doesn’t change much in SV + H leagues. He already sees plenty of work and has the best K/9 (14.1) of his career. He has also been linked to trade rumors, so we’ll see if there’s more movement before the deadline passes.
Will Vest (RP – DET) | +10
Will Vest has a 2.53 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 16 saves, one hold and a 9.9 K/9. His xERA is slightly better than his actual ERA at 2.42, and his expected batting average against is in the 94th percentile.
Tommy Kahnle was getting some of the closing duties early on, but has struggled in July. The Tigers haven’t made any big moves in the bullpen market yet, solidifying Vest’s role — for now.
Biggest Fallers
Felix Bautista (RP – BAL) | Injured
Felix Bautista went on the IL with a shoulder injury. He was looking great in his first action since Tommy John surgery in 2023, but will turn over the keys to the next guy in line. Gregory Soto and Seranthony Dominguez were traded to the Mets and Blue Jays, respectively, leaving Yennier Cano as the best option to close out games.
Cano has a 5.40 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 15 saves plus holds and a 9.1 K/9. He hasn’t been great, and the Orioles aren’t contenders, but he’s the guy to speculate on.
Emmanuel Clase (RP – CLE) | Restricted List
Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as MLB conducts a sports betting investigation. There was a chance he was traded at the deadline, but it appears that won’t be happening. Cade Smith is an immediate add in any saves-only leagues. He and Hunter Gaddis are both risers in SV + H leagues.
New York Mets
The Mets were very active in the reliever market on Wednesday. They added Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers and Gregory Soto to the already fantasy-relevant Edwin Diaz and Reed Garrett. Diaz’s value doesn’t change as he’s the best pitcher in their bullpen, if not the entire roster.
Helsley (-1), Garrett (-3) and Rogers (-3) all get a slight downgrade just because of how many good options there are in the bullpen. If Diaz were to struggle, Helsley would likely get the first chance to close games out.
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