2023 Fantasy Baseball Closer Tracker: Liam Hendriks, Daniel Bard, More (4/21/23)

We can’t predict injuries that might force a new closer into the mix, but we can try and grab the most likely middle relievers who might eventually become a closer. That means you’re sometimes rostering a middle reliever, but most of the middle relievers who are next in line to become their team’s closer are good enough to help your fantasy team even if they don’t take over closing duties.

In the space below, I’ve created a Closer Tracker that will hopefully stay ahead of the closer curve. I’m going to update this every Friday for the rest of the season, so please feel free to send feedback if there’s anything you’d like to see.

Peep the latest waiver wire trends to gain an edge over your opponents in your fantasy baseball leagues!

The Closer Tracker is organized in three ways:

1. In the left column, you’ll find my closer power rankings. This order is based on a mix of current statistics weighted (in my mind) with how I think these players will perform over the rest of the season.
2. In the middle column, you’ll see my best attempt at quantifying how stable a closer’s job is. Or said another way, how closely do you have to pay attention to this situation?
3. In the right column, you’ll find the player who looks to be next in line. If you see red in the middle column, you should probably grab this guy on your waiver wire.

Lastly, keep scrolling all the way to the bottom for my top takeaways. I promise this isn’t a marketing trick – I just don’t want to spoil the Closer Tracker.

Closer Power Ranking	Job Stability	Next In Line
1. Josh Hader	VERY SECURE	Luis Garcia
2. Felix Bautista	VERY SECURE	Cionel Perez
3. Emmanuel Clase	VERY SECURE	James Karinchak
4. Clay Holmes	VERY SECURE	Ron Marinaccio
5. Jordan Romano	VERY SECURE	Erik Swanson
6. David Bednar	VERY SECURE	Colin Holderman
7. Ryan Helsey	VERY SECURE	Giovvany Gallegos
8. Devin Williams	VERY SECURE	Matt Bush
9. Ryan Pressly	VERY SECURE	Rafael Montero

10. A.J. Minter	SECURE	J. Jimenez
11. David Robertson	SECURE	Adam Ottavino
12. Pete Fairbanks	SECURE	Jason Adam
13. Evan Phillips	SECURE	Brusder Graterol
14. Jhoan Duran	SECURE	Jorge Lopez
15. Camilo Doval	SECURE	Taylor Rogers
16. Paul Sewald	SECURE	Matt Brash
17. Kenley Jansen	SECURE	Ryan Brasier
20. Daniel Bard	SOMEWHAT STABLE	Pierce Johnson
19. Alexis Diaz	SOMEWHAT STABLE	Ian Gibaut

19. Jose Alvardo	COMMITTEE	Craig Kimbrel, Seranthony Dominguez
18. A.J. Puk	COMMITTEE	Tanner Scott, Dylan Floro
22. Michael Fulmer	COMMITTEE	Brad Boxberger
23. Carlos Estevez	COMMITTEE	Jose Quijada
24. Alex Lange	SHAKY	Jose Cisnero
25. Jose Leclerc	COMMITTEE	Will Smith
26. Dany Jimenez	COMMITTEE	Trevor May, Jeurys Familia
27. Reynaldo Lopez	COMMITTEE	Kendall Graveman
28. Kyle Finnegan	VERY SHAKY	Carl Edwards
29. Scott Barlow	VERY SHAKY	Aroldis Chapman

30. Andrew Chafin

COMMITTEE

Scott McGough

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Top takeaways:

1. 2022 American League saves leader Liam Hendriks just received the GREAT news that he is now cancer-free! It's worth grabbing him in deeper leagues just in case he's able to come back soon, but more importantly, this is wonderful for Henriks and his family.
2. Daniel Bard is back for the Rockies and will assume the closer's role. He's not exactly the most dependable guy, so it might be worth holding onto Pierce Johnson for a bit.
3. Aroldis Chapman looks like he's about to take Scott Barlow's job. It's not a great job to have because of the Royals' likely low amount of save opportunities, but it's worth scooping up Chapman nevertheless.
4. Brad Boxberger seems to have worked his way into a committee for the Cubs. Neither he nor Michael Fulmer are great options, but both are worth having on your roster for saves.
5. Jhoan Duran seems to have broken out of a committee and seized the job for the Twins. Jorge Lopez is still a great middle reliever to have on your fantasy roster though.

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