Although the focus may be on the impending trade deadline, fantasy managers entering the final weekend before it must monitor two situations of interest. First, in Arizona, Paul Sewald has been removed from the closer role after his latest blown save, during which he allowed two home runs while ceding a three-run lead in Pittsburgh. Torey Lovullo mentioned a matchup-based approach could ensue with Jonathan Loáisiga and Brandyn Garcia in the mix for saves, but prefers Juan Morillo in the fireman role, used at the highest-leveraged moments, not reserved for save situations in the ninth inning.
There has not been anything official from the Royals, but Steven Cruz has worked himself into a larger leverage role and a potential share of saves for the team through the end of the season. His hot stretch coincides with recent struggles by Alex Lange, who has a 1-2 record while converting 3-of-6 save chances in July. Here are their statistics since the All-Star break:
Alex Lange: 5 games, 4.2 IP, 7:2 K:BB (22.7 K-BB%), two saves, three blown saves, 1.71 WHIP
Steven Cruz: 8 games, 7.2 IP, 6:1 K:BB (17.2 K-BB%), two saves, two holds, 0.91 WHIP
Last, but not least, Edwin Díaz made his first appearance since April 19, securing his fifth save. He did allow two doubles, resulting in an earned run, but averaged 96.9 mph, throwing eight four-seam fastballs, and maxing out at 98.9 mph against Seattle. His velocity and workload should be monitored, but he’s back atop his team’s pecking order in the bullpen moving forward.
As for the reliever market ahead of the trade deadline, it may have narrowed. It seemed like a reach that Mason Miller would be traded, and the team’s recent surge makes this even less likely. He could still be moved this winter, but the uncertainty surrounding the potential lockout may delay any moves before 2027 games occur. Entering game play on July 30, these relievers who lead their respective teams in saves could be traded, but nothing is assured:
Kenley Jansen (DET)
Pete Fairbanks (MIA)
Riley O’Brien (STL)
The Mets may benefit from Miller’s potential unavailability and move Luke Weaver for a strong return in their retooling for next season. He and Jeff Hoffman are two relievers with closer experience, if a team will take on their contracts. Otherwise, there will be depth deals, like the most recent one, with Chase Silseth going to Texas as a setup reliever in a weak leverage ladder. Relievers on expiring contracts will be moved, but their potential impact as closers remains minimal. A surprise can happen, and if it does, our bullpen report on the day after the trade deadline will reset the hierarchies across the fantasy landscape.
This segues nicely into our leverage pathways, which try to provide accurate team approaches for procuring saves despite the multitude of confusing usage patterns throughout the league. 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 them fresh. While these situations typically involve a primary and ancillary option, others may be used. Some teams also prefer a matchup-based option, which creates fluid save opportunities.
Fluid: The manager has not named a closer, and usage patterns regarding the leverage roles remain unclear.
American League leverage pathways
Team
Leverage Pathway
Closer (Primary)
Stopper/HLR
Stealth/Ancillary Option
Fluid
Tyler Wells
Andrew Kittredge
Yennier Cano
Mostly Linear
Aroldis Chapman
Garrett Whitlock
Justin Slaten
Shared Saves
Grant Taylor
Bryan Hudson
Jordan Hicks
Mostly Linear
Cade Smith
Hunter Gaddis
Colin Holderman
Primary Save Share
Kenley Jansen
Kyle Finnegan
Drew Anderson
Mostly Linear
Josh Hader
Bryan Abreu
Steven Okert
Shared Saves
Alex Lange
Steven Cruz
Daniel Lynch IV
Fluid
Ryan Zeferjahn
Sam Bachman
Samy Natera Jr.
Mostly Linear
Yoendrys Gómez
Andrew Morris
Taylor Rogers
Mostly Linear
David Bednar
Fernando Cruz
Brent Headrick
Mostly Linear
Andrés Muñoz
Eduard Bazardo
Gabe Speier
Mostly Linear
Bryan Baker
Kevin Kelly
Garrett Cleavinger
Mostly Linear
Jacob Latz
Jakob Junis
Tyler Alexander
Shared Saves
Hogan Harris
Luis Medina
José Suarez
Mostly Linear
Louis Varland
Tyler Rogers
Jeff Hoffman
Save streamers (ancillary)
Steven Cruz (KC)
Bryan Abreu (HOU)
Bryan Hudson/Jordan Hicks (CWS)
Save stashes
Ben Joyce (LAA)
Ty Madden (DET)
Luis Medina (ATH)
National League leverage pathways
TeamLeverage PathwayCloser (Primary)Stopper/HLRStealth/Ancillary Option
Fluid
Jonathan Loáisiga
Juan Morillo
Brandyn Garcia
Mostly Linear
Raisel Iglesias
Dylan Lee
Didier Fuentes
Shared Saves
Jacob Webb
Trent Thornton
Caleb Thielbar
Mostly Linear
Emilio Pagán
Brock Burke
Tejay Antone
Primary Save Share
Jordan Romano
Juan Mejia
Brennan Bernardino
Mostly Linear
Edwin Díaz
Tanner Scott
Alex Vesia
Mostly Linear
Pete Fairbanks
Michael Petersen
Calvin Faucher
Mostly Linear
Trevor Megill
Abner Uribe
Aaron Ashby
Mostly Linear
Devin Williams
Luke Weaver
Brooks Raley
Mostly Linear
Jhoan Duran
Orion Kerkering
Jonathan Bowlan
Fluid
Mason Montgomery
Gregory Soto
Carmen Mlodzinski
Mostly Linear
Riley O’Brien
George Soriano
Ryne Stanek
Mostly Linear
Mason Miller
Adrian Morejon
Jeremiah Estrada
Primary Save Share
Erik Miller
Dylan Smith
Keaton Winn
Fluid
Clayton Beeter
Tom Cosgrove
Orlando Ribalta
Notes
Arizona Diamondbacks: A shared situation has not been the norm for this unit under Torey Lovullo, but this may be in deference to the potential return of Justin Martinez later this season. Fantasy players can take a chance on Jonathan Loáisiga in the near-term and figure out the roles on the fly as August progresses. For those managing ratios or in SOLDS leagues, Brandyn Garcia and Juan Morillo remain strong options.
Chicago Cubs: Chicago will be active ahead of the trade deadline, but the bullpen may be addressed by getting Daniel Palencia and Hunter Harvey back. Both are on track for minor league rehab outings next week.
Pittsburgh Pirates: It appears that Mason Montgomery has moved ahead of Gregory Soto as the preferred save option; hopefully this weekend’s usage patterns confirm this.
Save streamers (ancillary)
Mason Montgomery (PIT)
Jonathan Loáisiga (ARI)
Erik Miller (SF)
Save stashes
Justin Martinez (ARI)
Calvin Faucher (MIA)
George Soriano (STL)
Abner Uribe (MIL)
LeaderboardsSaves
2026SavesLast 14 DaysSaves
Cade Smith
30
Aroldis Chapman
6
Bryan Baker
29
Bryan Baker
4
Mason Miller
28
Louis Varland
4
Riley O’Brien
26
Josh Hader
4
Aroldis Chapman
25
Emilio Pagán
4
Jhoan Duran
24
David Bednar
4
Paul Sewald
24
Clayton Beeter
4
Louis Varland
23
Mason Miller
3
Raisel Iglesias
22
Tanner Scott
3
David Bednar
22
Andrés Muñoz
3
Jacob Latz
21
Trevor Megill
3
Andrés Muñoz
19
Hogan Harris
3
Trevor Megill
17
Raisel Iglesias
3
Tanner Scott
16
Jacob Latz
3
Holds
2026HoldsLast 14 DaysHolds
Tyler Rogers
23
Bennett Sousa
4
Kevin Kelly
21
Justin Slaten
4
Hunter Gaddis
21
Brent Headrick
4
Dylan Lee
21
Garrett Whitlock
4
Eduard Bazardo
21
Steven Okert
4
JoJo Romero
21
Tyler Rogers
4
Garrett Whitlock
20
Tyler Alexander
4
Erik Sabrowski
20
Ryan Zeferjahn
3
Garrett Cleavinger
18
Brandyn Garcia
3
Alex Vesia
17
Brock Burke
3
Jason Adam
17
Daniel Lynch IV
3
Fernando Cruz
17
Chase Silseth
3
Michael Petersen
17
Juan Morillo
3
Ryne Stanek
17
Dylan Dodd
3
George Soriano
16
Tommy Nance
3
Adrian Morejon
16
Tejay Antone
3
Sam Bachman
16
Jakob Junis
3
Justin Slaten
16
Luke Weaver
3
Abner Uribe
15
Garrett Cleavinger
3
Luke Weaver
15
Hunter Gaddis
3
Steven Okert
15
George Soriano
3
Jakob Junis
14
Orion Kerkering
3
Brooks Raley
14
Sam Bachman
3
Tim Herrin
14
John Schreiber
3
Seven tied with
13
Eduard Bazardo
3
12 tied with
12
Cade Gibson
3
SOLDS
2026SOLDSLast 14 DaysSOLDS
Bryan Baker
31
Aroldis Chapman
6
Cade Smith
30
Bryan Baker
4
Mason Miller
28
Louis Varland
4
Louis Varland
28
Josh Hader
4
Riley O’Brien
27
Emilio Pagán
4
Aroldis Chapman
25
David Bednar
4
Kevin Kelly
25
Clayton Beeter
4
Tyler Rogers
25
Tanner Scott
4
Jhoan Duran
24
Steven Cruz
4
Paul Sewald
24
Ryan Zeferjahn
4
Trevor Megill
24
Brandyn Garcia
4
Jacob Latz
23
Bennett Sousa
4
Tanner Scott
23
Justin Slaten
4
Raisel Iglesias
22
Brent Headrick
4
David Bednar
22
Garrett Whitlock
4
Garrett Whitlock
22
Steven Okert
4
Hunter Gaddis
22
Tyler Rogers
4
Four tied with
21
Tyler Alexander
4
My rankings are a blend of in-season performance and rest-of-season expectations. If you feel strongly about a player, by all means, roster him.
Ratio relievers
*Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.
Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
Brent Headrick (NYY)
Juan Morillo (ARI)
Huascar Brazobán (NYM)
Samy Natera Jr. (LAA)
Statistical Credits: FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference.com, Baseball Savant, BrooksBaseball.net. Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates.