The entire leverage landscape has changed since my column following the trade deadline, reinforcing how volatile the closer role can be. Six changes have been made in the American League leverage pathways since then, and two have been made in the National League. Although some team patterns have become clearer, committee or matchup-based approaches persist, causing frustration for those chasing saves.

After suggesting Kyle Finnegan could be involved in the Tigers’ save mix, he recorded the only two saves since his arrival, coinciding with Will Vest’s recent struggles. Devin Williams appears ticketed for another low-leverage reset after consecutive blown saves against Tampa Bay and Texas, plus a loss in his last outing. He has allowed at least a run in his past four appearances and six of his previous eight. Robert Garcia has lost his grip on the preferred save share for Texas, giving up a home run in each of his past three outings while getting tagged with two blown saves and two losses.

In the NL, Seth Halvorsen was placed on the injured list, and he hopes to return by the end of the season, further periling a weak leverage pathway. Kevin Ginkel landed on the 60-day injured list, ending his season. St. Louis has provided more clarity on roles, with JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien posting saves since Ryan Helsley’s trade.

Considering all of these changes, my leverage pathways have been updated. Here are my high-leverage pathway identifiers. Each team will receive one of the following labels:

Mostly linear: This is a more traditional approach, with a manager preferring one reliever in the seventh inning, another in the eighth, and a closer (when rested) in the ninth. There are shades of gray, but it usually follows a predictable pattern in high-leverage situations.
Primary save share: The team prefers one reliever as the primary option for saves. However, the player may also be used in matchup-based situations, whether dictated by batter-handedness or batting order, especially in the late innings, providing multiple relievers with save chances each series or week throughout the season.
Shared saves: Typically, two relievers share save opportunities, often based on handedness, rest or recent usage patterns that keep pitchers fresh. While these situations typically involve a primary and ancillary option, others may be used. Some teams also prefer a matchup-based option, assigning pitchers a hitter’s pocket for a series, which creates fluid save opportunities.
In flux: The manager has not named a closer, and usage patterns regarding the leverage roles remain unclear.
American League Leverage Pathways
TeamLeverage PathwayCloser (Primary)Stopper/HLRStealth/Ancillary

Shared Saves

Keegan Akin

Yennier Cano

Grant Wolfram

Primary Save Share

Aroldis Chapman

Garrett Whitlock

Jordan Hicks

Shared Saves

Grant Taylor

Jordan Leasure

Steven Wilson

Mostly Linear

Cade Smith

Hunter Gaddis

Nic Enright

Shared Saves

Kyle Finnegan

Will Vest

Tyler Holton

Mostly Linear

Josh Hader

Bryan Abreu

Bennett Sousa

Mostly Linear

Carlos Estévez

Lucas Erceg

Hunter Harvey

Mostly Linear

Kenley Jansen

Reid Detmers

Ryan Zeferjahn

Shared Saves

Justin Topa

Cole Sands

Kody Funderburk

In Flux

David Bednar

Luke Weaver

Camilo Doval

Mostly Linear

Andrés Muñoz

Matt Brash

Gabe Speier

Mostly Linear

Pete Fairbanks

Edwin Uceta

Griffin Jax

Shared Saves

Phil Maton

Danny Coulombe

Shawn Armstrong

In Flux

Sean Newcomb

Michael Kelly

Elvis Alvarado

Mostly Linear

Jeff Hoffman

Seranthony Domínguez

Louis Varland

Team notes

Baltimore Orioles: Keegan Akin has the only save following the trade deadline. Although he’s volatile in save situations, he may be the most reliable reliever while Félix Bautista is on the injured list. It’s been an up-and-down season for Yennier Cano. He’s also in the mix, but could enter a game in the sixth, eighth or ninth inning, making him a deep-league play only.

Detroit Tigers: With two saves for his new team, Finnegan has tweaked his pitch mix, throwing more split-fingered fastballs to generate more whiffs. His arrival has affected the fantasy value of Vest, who has not secured a save since July 20.

Minnesota Twins: So much for Cole Sands emerging as the preferred save share; he has pitched the eighth inning in all three outings since his team gutted the leverage ladder. Justin Topa has posted the only save over the past seven days. The team has been linked to Ryan Pressly, but he’s weighing offers as a free agent following his designation for assignment by the Cubs.

New York Yankees: As highlighted above, Williams has lost his grip on the closer role. David Bednar recorded a five-out save in Texas and could cement his role atop the team’s leverage pecking order with continued strong appearances. Manager Aaron Boone can also continue mixing and matching in the late innings based on matchups, so this must be monitored closely.

Texas Rangers: Newly acquired Phil Maton converted his first save chance for the Rangers against the Yankees and could earn the preferred save share based on performance.

The Athletics: In a tied game with Washington, Sean Newcomb tossed two scoreless frames across the seventh and eighth innings before Michael Kelly suffered a walk-off loss. They remain the primary late-inning options, but wins have been sparse, and with no clear roles, it’s best to avoid situations like this from a fantasy perspective.

National League leverage pathways
TeamLeverage PathwayCloser (Primary)Stopper/HLRStealth/Ancillary

Shared Saves

Andrew Saalfrank

John Curtiss

Kyle Backhus

Mostly Linear

Raisel Iglesias

Dylan Lee

Pierce Johnson

Mostly Linear

Daniel Palencia

Brad Keller

Andrew Kittredge

Mostly Linear

Emilio Pagán

Tony Santillan

Graham Ashcraft

Primary Save Share

Victor Vodnik

Jimmy Herget

Juan Mejia

Shared Saves

Alex Vesia

Blake Treinen

Brock Stewart

Shared Saves

Calvin Faucher

Anthony Bender

Ronny Henriquez

Mostly Linear

Trevor Megill

Abner Uribe

Jared Koenig

Mostly Linear

Edwin Díaz

Ryan Helsley

Tyler Rogers

Mostly Linear

Jhoan Durán

Matt Strahm

Orion Kerkering

Mostly Linear

Dennis Santana

Isaac Mattson

Ryan Borucki

Shared Saves

JoJo Romero

Riley O’Brien

Kyle Leahy

Mostly Linear

Robert Suarez

Mason Miller

Jason Adam

Primary Save Share

Randy Rodríguez

Ryan Walker

Joey Lucchesi

Primary Save Share

Jose A. Ferrer

Cole Henry

Shinnosuke Ogasawara

Team notes

Arizona Diamondbacks: Manager Torey Lovullo has suggested he does not know who will close games with Kevin Ginkel out for the remainder of the season. Andrew Saalfrank, John Curtiss, and Kyle Backhus are in the mix. It would be wise to leave this headache for your opponent.

Colorado Rockies: Although Halvorsen was not lost for the season, his rehab will determine when he can return to play. Victor Vodnik should be the fill-in, but he has allowed multiple runs in two of his past three games and at least a run in four of his previous five games. Tread lightly here; the risk outweighs the reward.

Los Angeles Dodgers: A noted slow starter, Blake Treinen has struggled since returning from his extended layoff on the injured list, but remains the preferred option for saves until Tanner Scott can return. However, Treinen has not recorded a save since April 9.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Although it felt like this would be the coronation of Dennis Santana as the closer, he has struggled in recent outings, allowing multiple runs in two of his past three appearances. He should have some migration toward the mean, but better results during save situations are needed for fantasy relevance. Monitor his next few outings closely.

St. Louis Cardinals: Romero has been the highest-leveraged reliever facing the toughest left-handed hitters while recording two saves and a win over his past three appearances. O’Brien posted his first career save against the Dodgers, and though he lacks swing-and-miss upside, he can provide ancillary saves when Romero appears before the ninth inning. Kyle Leahy logged two innings in his last outing and projects as the bridge reliever for his teammates.

San Francisco Giants: Earning his first All-Star appearance, Randy Rodríguez had been struggling in the second half but turned in a clean save appearance his last time out against the Pirates, notching his third save. He has converted two of three save opportunities in August.

Washington Nationals: This franchise has not had a reliever record a save since July 28, so it’s not on Jose A. Ferrer. He is the preferred save option based on his elite velocity and ground ball rates. But volume may be a struggle down the stretch.

2025 leaderboards through August 6

 

 

 

Last 14 days SOLDS leaders through August 6

Save stashes/adds
Phil Maton (TEX)
David Bednar (NYY) – if he was dropped in your league
Joe Jiménez (ATL)
Tanner Scott (LAD) – if he was dropped in your league
Shelby Miller (MIL)
Ancillary save options
Hunter Gaddis (CLE)
Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
Alex Vesia (LAD)
Riley O’Brien (STL)
Ratio relievers

*Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.

Adrian Morejon (SD)
Jeremiah Estrada (SD)
Gabe Speier (SEA)
Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
Edwin Uceta (TB)
Brad Keller (CHC)

Statistical Credits: Fangraphs.com, Baseball-Reference.com, BaseballSavant.com and BrooksBaseball.net. Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates.

(Photo of Kyle Finnegan: Duane Burleson / Getty Images)