Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Is Ben Joyce Worth Adding?

Ted takes a look at shifts in closer situations across MLB over the last week.

With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, we are officially in the home stretch of this year’s fantasy baseball season. From now on, this weekly closer report will focus just on situations that are shifting — no more weekly updates on how great Emmanuel Clase is. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the most volatile closer hierarchies across the MLB.

If a team isn't listed in this week's article, you can assume their closer hasn't changed since pre-trade-deadline AL and NL Closer Reports.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Paul Sewald Demoted, Ryan Thompson and A.J. Puk Next in Line

I said in my post-trade-deadline coverage, which was published on August 1, that Sewald was still safe as the Diamondbacks’ closer. The very next day Arizona’s manager Torey Lovullo came out and announced that the right-hander was being demoted. Sewald, who has 16 saves on the season, had allowed five runs over his last four appearances prior to his demotion.

Over the last five days with Sewald out of the closer role, Thompson and Puk (who recently arrived in a trade from the Marlins) have each recorded a save. However, it’s worth noting that Puk’s save came after Thompson started the ninth inning and got into trouble (Puk got the last two outs after Thompson exited with runners on the corners).

This can be interpreted as a positive for either pitcher: Puk got the job done when Thompson couldn’t, but Thompson was still the D-backs’ go-to choice. This will likely be a bit of a committee for now, and I wouldn’t be too surprised if Sewald is back in the mix at some point as well. 

Baltimore Orioles: Craig Kimbrel’s Struggles Open Door for Yennier Cano, Seranthony Dominguez

Kimbrel has been one of the most productive closers in the country this season, ranking eighth overall with 23 saves. However, he has been flat-out terrible since the All-Star break, posting an 8.22 ERA and blowing both of his save chances over the last 30 days.

As a result, he appears to have been demoted for now: His last three appearances have all been in the eighth inning or earlier, including a seventh-inning appearance yesterday with the Orioles trailing by three. 

With Kimbrel appearing earlier in games, Cano has stepped up to record two saves in his last three outings. Cano has been impressive, especially recently, with a 2.70 ERA for the season and 1.50 over the last month. However, Dominguez is also in the mix, and it wouldn’t be at all surprising if Kimbrel bounces back and reclaims his closer role. This is a situation in flux for now.   

Chicago White Sox: Trade Deadline Moves Leave John Brebbia Atop Ugly Committee

Unsurprisingly, given they made a run at the all-time loss-streak record, the White Sox have not exactly been racking up saves of late. In fact, Michael Kopech is still the last player to record a save for Chicago … and he’s been a Dodger since July 30.

Brebbia is the obvious candidate to replace Kopech in the ninth inning, but he has blown both of his opportunities since the trade deadline and now has a 9.58 ERA since July 1. Frankly, this situation is best avoided entirely, especially now that Kopech is gone. 

Colorado Rockies: Victor Vodnik Secures Job 

The trade of Jalen Beeks to the Pirates confirmed it, but Vodnik was already well on his way to establishing himself as the Rockies’ closer. Over the last 30 days, he is a perfect five-for-five in save opportunities, with a 2.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP.

Don’t expect the rookie’s recent perfection to last, as his 4.42 xERA and obscene 52.3% hard-hit rate point to some incoming regression. But it’s hard to argue with his results, so Vodnik is a solid choice if you’re desperate enough for saves to be looking at a Rockies reliever.

Kansas City Royals: James McArthur’s Struggles Point to Incoming Committee 

Even after the Royals traded for Lucas Erceg and Hunter Harvey prior to the deadline, this job seemed to be McArthur’s to lose. However, he may have just done enough to lose it, with a 12.15 ERA and two blown saves in three opportunities over the last two weeks.

Faced with two close ninth-inning save opportunities over the weekend, the Royals called on Harvey both times. Harvey did blow the save once, on Saturday … but McArthur proceeded to blow his own save chance in the 11th inning of that same game.

This will likely be a committee situation going forward, with each of Harvey, McArthur and even Erceg (who has yet to allow an earned run in three appearances a Royals uniform) getting shots to secure the closer job.  

Los Angeles Angels: Ben Joyce Claims Closer Role Following Big Trade Deadline Moves

The Angels traded away both Luis Garcia and Carlos Estevez at the deadline, opening the door for rookie right-hander Ben Joyce to serve as their closer. A third-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Joyce was called up to the big leagues in early June.

But I’m burying the lead here: Joyce may be the hardest-throwing pitcher in MLB, with an absurd 102 mile-per-hour average on his four-seam fastball. So far, that fastball has worked well for Joyce, who has a 1.82 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 24.2 MLB innings.

He picked up his first save of the season on Sunday, throwing 1.1 perfect innings and a 104.7-mph fastball against the Mets. While his upside may be limited by the Angels’ struggles and his own control issues, Joyce is certainly worth adding if you need relief help. 

Miami Marlins: Trade Deadline Moves Leave Calvin Faucher on Top on Miami (For Now)

The Marlins traded away both the aforementioned Puk and Tanner Scott at the deadline, leaving an unclear situation in their wake. However, Faucher seems to have emerged as the Marlins’ new closer, pitching after both Andrew Nardi and Anthony Bender on both Friday and Saturday.

He did blow the save on Friday, allowing three earned runs and also picking up the loss, but bounced back with a clean one-inning save the next day. That was Faucher’s first save of the season, and he also sports a 3.46 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. This could easily devolve into a committee eventually, but Faucher seems to have the inside track to save opportunities for now. 

Milwaukee Brewers: Devin Williams Returns from IL, Reclaims Closer Job 

He has made just two appearances so far, but Williams is undoubtedly the Brewers’ closer (especially with Trevor Megill taking his spot on the IL). The 2022 and 2023 All-Star has yet to record a save, but he is also yet to allow a run.

It’s also worth noting that Brewers manager Pat Murphy has indicated he won’t use Williams on back-to-back days as he works his way back to full strength, but that is almost certain to be only temporary. 

Oakland Athletics: Mason Miller’s Return from IL Clears Things Up

Miller was activated just this morning by the A’s, and it doesn’t take an expert to predict that the breakout star will immediately reclaim his role as Oakland’s closer. 

Philadelphia Phillies: Carlos Estevez’s Arrival Shakes Up Committee 

The Phillies have spent most of the season deploying a ninth-inning committee of Jose Alvarado and Jeff Hoffman, but Estevez arriving via trade is sure to change that.

Estevez has yet to record a save in a Phillies uniform and actually picked up a loss on Saturday, but all four of his appearances with his new team have been in the ninth inning. He should see the bulk of save opportunities down the stretch, although both Hoffman and Alvarado may still mix in occasionally. 

Toronto Blue Jays: Chad Green Claims Sole Ninth-Inning Role with Yimi Garcia’s Departure 

These two were in a committee prior to the trade deadline, so Garcia's trade to the Mariners makes Green the obvious closer in Toronto. Green has been excellent this season, with nine saves in nine opportunities, a 1.51 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. His peripherals indicate this level of success may be a bit of a mirage, but Garcia’s absence makes him a must-add if you are looking for saves down the stretch. 

#2024-fantasy-baseball #closers