If your Roto fantasy team is desperately hunting for saves, like mine, this post is for you. We’ll spotlight shifting bullpen situations across the MLB and break down the top 15 non-closer relievers to roster who could step into ninth-inning roles. Here is a link to the May Fantasy Baseball Saves strategy post to review earlier callouts.
In fantasy terms, a “handcuff” refers to the next man up for saves, similar to backup running backs in fantasy football whose value spikes if the starter goes down. These rankings were built by analyzing bullpen usage, skill sets, and speculating the likelihood of future save chances. To qualify for the list, each pitcher must currently not be serving as their team’s designated closer.
For a full look at MLB bullpen depth, including closers, setup men, middle, and long relievers by team, check out FanGraph’s Closer Depth Chart tool. It’s a must have resource for fantasy owners trying to stay ahead of the save market.
Top 15 Closer Handcuffs
- Griffin Jax – High-leverage usage, elite K–BB%, and next in line behind Duran
- Randy Rodríguez – Dominant since mid-June, rising leverage usage, and Doval insurance
- Cade Smith – Electric stuff, rising usage, and potential closer of the future for Guardians
- Dennis Santana – breakout year, could earn saves if Bednar is traded
- Jose A. Ferrer – Top candidate to replace Finnegan if traded, elite changeup/sinker mix
- Abner Uribe – Triple-digit velocity, elite strikeout upside, and setup role
- Matt Brash – High K-rate and swing-and-miss stuff, insurance for Munoz
- Bryan Abreu – Setup man behind Hader, with closer-worthy metrics.
- Lucas Ercerg – Veteran with closing experience, better underlying skills than Estevez
- Phil Maton – Veteran with closing experience and strong command
- Garret Cleavinger – High-leverage lefty with strong whiff rates and committee appeal
- Jason Adams – Proven closer skills, insurance for Robert Suarez
- Luke Weaver – Versatile arm, insurance for Devin Williams
- Matt Strahm – Versatile lefty with strong ratios and committee save potential
- Reed Garrett – Strong ratios and usage trends, insurance for Edwin Diaz
Team Reviews
Arizona Diamondbacks
Current Closer: Kevin Ginkel
Next Up: Kendall Graveman
Injured List: AJ Puk, Justin Martinez, Shelby Miller
The Diamondbacks have been hit hard with bullpen injuries this season with AJ Puk, Justin Martinez, Shelby Miller, Ryan Thompson, and Jalen Beeks all landing on the IL. With their top three closer options on the IL, the team has now turned to Kevin Ginkel in save situations. Anthony DeScalfini has also recently acquired a pair of three inning saves but would not expect consistent save opportunities.
Ginkel, who played a key bullpen role in their 2023 postseason run to the World Series, has previous closing experience with 15 career saves. However, this year has been rough. He has posted a 7.99 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP, with this his K percent dipping down to 23.7% this year and his BB percent doubling to 11.4%. His four-seam fastball has lost velocity, dropping from an average of 96.0 mph to 94.9 mph, and his slider has slowed from 87.4 mph to 84.8 mph. He started the season late due to shoulder inflammation and should keep an eye on his four-seam velocity trends.
Kendall Graveman and Anthony DeSclafani remain names to watch in this bullpen. Graveman would likely get the first shot at 9th inning duties if Ginkel is removed from the role. Meanwhile, DeSclafani’s recent multi-inning saves, two since June 23rd, suggest the team might use him creatively depending on game flow and depth issues.
In NFC and other roto formats, Ginkel should be rostered for save upside. But his struggles and diminished velocity make him a risky hold, and Arizona’s bullpen could undergo more changes soon.
Chicago White Sox
Current Closer: Grant Taylor
Next Up: Jordan Leasure/Steven Wilson
Grant Taylor has been with the White Sox since June 10th and already leads the bullpen in saves this season with three. Although he was used as a starter in the majority of his brief minor league stint, just 46 innings, Taylor now finds himself anchoring the ninth inning. While this role change may not last his full career given his previous work as a starter, it seems the White Sox plan to use him exclusively out of the bullpen for the 2025 season.
Taylor’s arsenal is electric. His four-seam fastball averages 99.0 mph with cut movement and has generated a 33.7 percent whiff rate. If qualified, that would place him among the top ten in the league for four-seam whiff rate. His 85.6 mph 12–6 curveball, along with a cutter and slider, rounds out a set of high-velocity, sharp-breaking pitches that profile well for late-inning work.
Jordan Leasure and Steven Wilson currently back up the rear of this bullpen. If Taylor needs rest or hits a rough patch, Leasure is the likeliest candidate to get the next shot at closing.
Taylor’s stuff is filthy and could make a fast impact, hopefully more fantasy impact if the White Sox win more games in the second half. In Roto formats, he’s a must-add if still available and looking for saves. Dynasty managers should also take notice, Taylor brings legit upside as a long-term relief option if he stays in the closer role, especially for rebuilding teams looking to take a flyer on an emerging arm at a fair price.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Current Closer: Alex Vesia
Next up: Kirby Yates
IL: Tanner Scott, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, & Evan Phillips
Tanner Scott led the Dodgers with 19 saves before landing on the injured list due to elbow inflammation. With Scott sidelined, Alex Vesia and Kirby Yates are the top candidates handling ninth-inning duties.
Vesia has been the more effective pitcher in 2025 and appears to be the top option while Scott is out. Yates picked up the most recent save on July 21stagainst the Twins and has logged a higher percentage of high-leverage appearances,47 percent compared to Vesia’s 44 percent (factoring save opportunities and holds over total outings). Though Yates did follow up on July 23rdin an 8th inning appearance in which Vesia had to come in and finish the inning due to Yates struggles.
Statistically, Vesia holds an edge across the board:
With better overall efficiency, Vesia is the recommended pickup while Scott remains sidelined. That said, Yates is a viable contingency bid and may get the occasional save opportunity in the right matchup.
If Scott’s absence stretches deeper into the season, expect both to be in the mix, but bet on the talent and pickup Vesia if searching for saves.
Miami Marlins
Current Closer(s): Ronny Henriquez, Anthony Bender, & Calvin Faucher
Miami’s bullpen has been a headache for fantasy managers, with six pitchers recording at least a save and four pitchers with three or more saves. The lack of clarity makes this one of the least secure closer situations in baseball.
The best way to forecast save opportunities is by examining recent performance and high-leverage usage. Here’s how the trio stacks up since June 16th:
Henriquez is the strongest option moving forward. He leads the team in saves over the past few weeks, generates elite strikeouts with a high-riding four-seam fastball, and just beats out Bender in high-leverage deployment. His secondary mix of a sweeper, slider, and changeup gives him a complete arsenal for late-inning success.
Bender is next in line. He has been sharp recently and frequently used in high-leverage spots, but his strikeout rate has slipped below typical closer standards. The Marlins are likely to ride his hot streak for now, and his sinker-sweeper combo has helped him limit walks and rack up soft contact.
Faucher, despite leading the club in saves this season, has faded from the ninth-inning conversation of late. His stuff is respectable, but lower whiff rates and the emergence of Henriquez have put his closing opportunities in jeopardy.
Take a shot on Henriquez in Miami if looking for saves but note that the Marlins could keep a closer by committee approach with Bender getting opportunities as well.
San Francisco Giants
Current Closer: Camilo Doval
Next up: Randy Rodríguez & Ryan Walker
The Giants are 53–49 and sitting just a few games back of a Wild Card spot. With playoff ambitions running high under Buster Posey’s leadership, the Giants bullpen will remain under tight watch. Ryan Walker started the season with the closer role, but Doval has taken over ninth-inning duties over the past few months.
Doval has done a serviceable job with 15 saves out of 19 chances and a 2.89 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP. Recently the Giants closer position looks a little more open for discussion, keeping in mind the Giants having removed Doval from closer duties in the past.
Randy Rodríguez is emerging as a strong case for closer duties. Since mid-June, he has been lights out and has outperformed Doval across almost any metric. Here is a high-level breakdown of how the trio has performed since June 16th:
Rodríguez is a speculative add in roto leagues. If he continues to earn trust in big spots, save chances may follow. Ryan Walker also remains in contention for possible save opportunities if Doval’s struggles continue, however I would take the bet on Rodríguez whose been performing the best and who’s use has been trending up. For fantasy managers chasing end-of-season saves, Randy Rodríguez makes for a potential stash.
Washington Nationals
Current Closer: Kyle Finnegan
Next Up: Jose A. Ferrer
Kyle Finnegan has quietly built a solid career in Washington, racking up 107 saves and ranking fifth on the franchise’s all-time leaderboard. With the Nationals sitting at 41–60 and Finnegan set to hit free agency this offseason, he’s a prime trade candidate ahead of the deadline.
If Finnegan is dealt, his new team may view him more as a setup option than a true closer. His 3.68 career ERA and 23.0 percent strikeout rate are respectable but not elite, and there’s no guarantee he’ll retain ninth-inning duties in a new bullpen.
That opens the door in Washington for Jose A. Ferrer. Ferrer leads the team with 18 holds, far ahead of the next guy, Brad Lord (7), and has consistently been deployed in high-leverage spots. While he doesn’t boast a high strikeout rate, Ferrer excels at limiting walks and home runs, and his pitch mix is built for late-inning success:
- Sinker (71%): A 97.4 mph power sinker that generates ground balls and keeps hitters off balance
- Changeup (22%): Used primarily against righties, it carries a 42.4 percent whiff rate and a .213 opponent batting average
- Slider (7%): Thrown almost exclusively to lefties, it’s held hitters to a .154 average with a 40.0 percent whiff rate
With Jorge López released in June, Ferrer stands as the most likely successor if Finnegan is moved. He is not a prototypical strikeout-heavy closer, but his command and pitch efficiency make him a strong speculative add in Roto formats ahead of the deadline.
Fantasy managers should consider stashing Ferrer before the deadline, if Finnegan is traded, Ferrer’s value could spike overnight. If Finnegan stays in Washington, Ferrer can go back to waivers.
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