Relief Pitcher 2026 Fantasy Rankings

by
December 28, 2025
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Closers are probably the most exciting, frustrating position to deal with from a fantasy perspective. No other position is as fundamentally shaped by managerial discretion. No other position sees player value fluctuate so wildly. Last year, baseball’s most dominant closer, Mason Miller, lost his job to  Robert Suarez at the trade deadline, for reasons wholly unrelated to performance–Suárez simply had performed admirably as closer, and the Padres preferred not to mess with their bullpen hierarchy, even if Miller was their best reliever. This offseason, Suárez himself appears to have already lost his closing job for reasons unrelated to performance, as he has opted for a setup role with the Braves.

This article ranks the closers for saves-only leagues for 2026. These rankings will be updated roughly once a week to reflect the latest happenings. The rankings will shift based on trades, free agent signings, team news, rumors, new projections, sufficiently persuasive reader feedback, and my own arbitrary whims. The list will grow longer as the offseason progresses.

Changelog

  • 12/28/2025
    • Marlins sign Pete Fairbanks.
      • It’s a great landing spot for Fairbanks as he should be the sole closing option in Miami. Accordingly, Calvin Faucher and Ronny Henriquez have been removed from the ranks. Henriquez would have been removed even if he were healthy as a result of the Fairbanks signing, but it was also announced that he is slated to miss the 2026 season after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery.
    • Kenley Jansen is not guaranteed the closing job.
      • It is still difficult to imagine him not handling most save opportunities given his track record but at this point in his career his projections are less than stellar. I added Will Vest to the backend of the ranks as he has much better projections and was used ahead of Kyle Finnegan to close out games at the end of the 2025 season.
    • The White Sox sign Sean Newcomb.
      • Newcomb will be given the chance to start, but he is still a nice late sleeper option for saves as he is more experienced than Jordan Leasure or Grant Taylor, plus he is coming off a strong 2025 season out of the pen.
    • Diamondbacks are expected to sign a closing option to fill the role until Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk are ready to return in late 2026.
      • The only issue here is there aren’t a ton of great bullpen options left in free agency. Per RosterResource’s Free Agent Tracker, some standout remaining arms that might step in as closer are David Robertson, Kirby Yates, Ryan Pressly, Seranthony Dominguez, and Evan Phillips. If signed by Arizona, I would likely prefer any of these guys for saves over Kevin Ginkel.
  • 12/18/2025 – First Release

Ranking Methodology

  • ADP is based on 30-day rolling NFBC Draft Champions Leagues.
  • $ Values are based on standard 5×5 12-team saves league using the FanGraphs Depth Charts and these Auction Calculator settings. They default to a player’s most valuable position, so if the first base list includes a catcher, it will show that player’s value at catcher.
  • ADP and $ Values are updated as of the last update date on this post.
  • 5-game eligibility was used for these lists to cast the widest net.

Closers You Can Count On

These closers are as safe as they come.
Closers You Can Count On
Rank Name Team Pos Change ADP $
1 Mason Miller SDP RP – 34 $20
2 Edwin Díaz LAD RP – 33 $16
3 Jhoan Duran PHI RP – 38 $14
4 Andrés Muñoz SEA RP – 33 $11
5 Cade Smith CLE RP – 38 $14
6 Devin Williams NYM RP – 71 $11
7 Aroldis Chapman BOS RP – 50 $11
8 David Bednar NYY RP – 46 $12

Mason Miller cemented his status as baseball’s most dominant reliever this past season, with an extraordinary 54.2 K% after joining the Padres. They have decided to keep him in the bullpen, so his job should be safe unless he’s traded to a team intent on stretching him out to start–an unlikely proposition. Edwin Díaz slots in next. He has continued his stellar performance year after year, and he will now be closing games for the World Series winners in Los Angeles. The only thing holding back Jhoan Duran’s fantasy value over the last couple of years has been Minnesota’s funky bullpen usage. With the Phillies set on using him as a traditional closer, he could take his fantasy game to the next level. Andrés Muñoz is a trustworthy option, especially in T-Mobile, the most pitcher-friendly park in baseball. Aroldis Chapman and Cade Smith are coming off great seasons, pairing elite projections with excellent job security. David Bednar also has a firm grip on the Yankees closing job after an incredible bounceback 2025. Devin Williams struggled uncharacteristically in 2025, with an ERA over four. K% minus BB% and xFIP are better indicators of pitching talent moving forward, however, and Williams’ indicators suggest a bounceback 2026 could be in order, this time closing games in Queens.

Next Best For The Ninth

A nitpick or two keeps these guys from joining tier one.
Next Best For The Ninth
Rank Name Team Pos Change ADP $
9 Ryan Helsley BAL RP – 78 $6
10 Josh Hader HOU RP – 57 $13
11 Daniel Palencia CHC RP – 147 $7
12 Pete Fairbanks MIA RP – 118 $6
13 Jeff Hoffman TOR RP – 142 $7
14 Ryan Walker SFG RP – 215 $9
15 Abner Uribe MIL RP – 162 $9
Ryan Helsley posted an unsightly 7.20 ERA after he was dealt to the Mets. He still has elite velocity and Stuff+ and is a good pick to rebound closing for the Orioles. Josh Hader would be in tier one if not for health concerns. He ended the season tending to a shoulder strain, but he’s at least ostensibly healthy now. If you draft Hader, it is worth reaching a bit to secure Bryan Abreu as a form of high quality health insurance. Daniel Palencia also dealt with a shoulder strain last year, but he made it back before the season ended and looked healthy, with normal velocity, in his return. Now in Miami, Pete Fairbanks is locked in as a full-time closer, while his projections remain strong.
Jeff Hoffman is a solid bet to bounceback after a down season, but he has less leash now, with Louis Varland, Yimi García, and Tyler Rogers giving the Blue Jays many worthy late-game options if Hoffman stumbles. Ryan Walker ended the season as de facto Giants closer after Randy Rodríguez underwent Tommy John surgery and Camilo Doval got shipped to the Yankees. He struggled in September and probably does not have a ton of job security, but he still projects well and should get the first chance to close in 2026. Abner Uribe is a tier one talent, but the looming threat of Trevor Megill bumps him down to tier two, as it’s not entirely clear who would get the first shot to close for the Brewers in 2026. Both are worthy late-game options, and both could will get a big bump if Megill is dealt to a team where he’d close.

Flawed Saves Heroes

This group contains many potential studs, but some will get knocked down by offseason shenanigans.
Flawed Saves Heroes
Rank Name Team Pos Change ADP $
16 Raisel Iglesias ATL RP – 72 $7
17 Emilio Pagán CIN RP – 115 $3
18 Carlos Estévez KCR RP – 84 $2
19 Kenley Jansen DET RP – 115 $2
20 Riley O’Brien STL RP – 286 $1
21 Dennis Santana PIT RP – 153 $2
22 Griffin Jax TBR RP – 201 $7
23 Trevor Megill MIL RP – 111 $3
24 Clayton Beeter WSN RP – 418 $0
25 Robert Garcia TEX RP – 382 $4
26 Robert Stephenson LAA RP – 423 $2

Raisel Iglesias, Emilio Pagán, Carlos Estévez, and Kenley Jansen aren’t baseball’s most dominant relievers, but they’re solid, and more importantly, they ostensibly have some leash. At the other end of the spectrum, Riley O’Brien and Griffin Jax are excellent relievers, but they don’t have much job security. Notwithstanding, both look like great values at ADP. It’s hard to feel too confident in Dennis Santana surviving the season as Pirates closer, and Gregory Soto poses some threat, but Santana still appears to be the guy for now. Robert Garcia and Clayton Beeter are nice sleeper options. Neither has secured the closing job, but both have the talent to lock down the role in 2026. Robert Stephenson’s health is a major question mark; notwithstanding, he currently looks like the best bet for Angels saves.

Closer Dart Throws

A few of these relievers will emerge as awesome closers this year–but which?
Closer Dart Throws
Rank Name Team Pos Change ADP $
27 Jordan Leasure CHW RP – 278 $0
28 Mark Leiter Jr. ATH RP – 634 -$3
29 Bryan Abreu HOU RP – 275 $4
30 Robert Suarez ATL RP – 124 $3
31 Grant Taylor CHW RP – 326 $5
32 Kevin Ginkel ARI RP – 704 -$4
33 Gregory Soto PIT RP – 624 -$2
34 Will Vest DET RP – 241 $2
35 Garrett Cleavinger TBR RP – 484 $3
36 Adrian Morejon SDP RP – 432 $1
37 Jeremiah Estrada SDP RP – 360 $4
38 Kody Funderburk MIN RP – 741 -$3
39 Victor Vodnik COL RP – 392 -$4
40 Justin Topa MIN RP – 698 -$4
41 JoJo Romero STL RP – 459 $0
42 Chris Martin TEX RP – 688 $0
43 Drew Pomeranz LAA RP – 707 -$2
44 Cole Sands MIN RP – 604 -$3
45 Edwin Uceta TBR RP – 273 $1
46 Cole Henry WSN RP – 729 -$7
47 Sean Newcomb CHW RP – 699 -$6
48 Alexis Diaz TEX RP – 618 -$9
49 Camilo Doval NYY RP – 525 -$2
50 Yimi García TOR RP – 702 -$1
51 Matt Brash SEA RP – 493 $2

Injuries and trades ensures that some of these guys will get a shot to close in 2026. Many of the tier three names have closing talent — especially Jeremiah Estrada, Robert Suarez, Grant Taylor, Adrian Morejon, and Bryan Abreu — but none of these talents currently have the inside track on a closing job. Alternatively, Mark Leiter Jr. and Jordan Leasure look like probable closers if the season started today, but each carries substantial risk: Leiter is pitching in hitter-friendly Sacramento, and Leasure has to hold off the talented Taylor.

Full Rankings Without Tiers

No tiers. Just the rankings.
Full Rankings Without Tiers
Rank Name Team Pos Change ADP $
1 Mason Miller SDP RP – 34 $20
2 Edwin Díaz LAD RP – 33 $16
3 Jhoan Duran PHI RP – 38 $14
4 Andrés Muñoz SEA RP – 33 $11
5 Cade Smith CLE RP – 38 $14
6 Devin Williams NYM RP – 71 $11
7 Aroldis Chapman BOS RP – 50 $11
8 David Bednar NYY RP – 46 $12
9 Ryan Helsley BAL RP – 78 $6
10 Josh Hader HOU RP – 57 $13
11 Daniel Palencia CHC RP – 147 $7
12 Pete Fairbanks MIA RP – 118 $6
13 Jeff Hoffman TOR RP – 142 $7
14 Ryan Walker SFG RP – 215 $9
15 Abner Uribe MIL RP – 162 $9
16 Raisel Iglesias ATL RP – 72 $7
17 Emilio Pagán CIN RP – 115 $3
18 Carlos Estévez KCR RP – 84 $2
19 Kenley Jansen DET RP – 115 $2
20 Riley O’Brien STL RP – 286 $1
21 Dennis Santana PIT RP – 153 $2
22 Griffin Jax TBR RP – 201 $7
23 Trevor Megill MIL RP – 111 $3
24 Clayton Beeter WSN RP – 418 $0
25 Robert Garcia TEX RP – 382 $4
26 Robert Stephenson LAA RP – 423 $2
27 Jordan Leasure CHW RP – 278 $0
28 Mark Leiter Jr. ATH RP – 634 -$3
29 Bryan Abreu HOU RP – 275 $4
30 Robert Suarez ATL RP – 124 $3
31 Grant Taylor CHW RP – 326 $5
32 Kevin Ginkel ARI RP – 704 -$4
33 Gregory Soto PIT RP – 624 -$2
34 Will Vest DET RP – 241 $2
35 Garrett Cleavinger TBR RP – 484 $3
36 Adrian Morejon SDP RP – 432 $1
37 Jeremiah Estrada SDP RP – 360 $4
38 Kody Funderburk MIN RP – 741 -$3
39 Victor Vodnik COL RP – 392 -$4
40 Justin Topa MIN RP – 698 -$4
41 JoJo Romero STL RP – 459 $0
42 Chris Martin TEX RP – 688 $0
43 Drew Pomeranz LAA RP – 707 -$2
44 Cole Sands MIN RP – 604 -$3
45 Edwin Uceta TBR RP – 273 $1
46 Cole Henry WSN RP – 729 -$7
47 Sean Newcomb CHW RP – 699 -$6
48 Alexis Diaz TEX RP – 618 -$9
49 Camilo Doval NYY RP – 525 -$2
50 Yimi García TOR RP – 702 -$1
51 Matt Brash SEA RP – 493 $2

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justregularMember since 2023
20 days ago

Kenley – total eclipse of Finnegan and Vest? I think I saw Scott Harris give a cliche like it’ll be up to AJ Hinch, we like all our guys, etc. I can’t really disagree with omitting them completely from the longshots though.

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Jordan RosenblumFanGraphs Staff
20 days ago
Reply to  justregular

They’ll be included when I expand the list but for the most part I didn’t rank pure handcuffs, and it’s hard to see Kenley not getting the job. however, like you pointed out, team comments suggest it’s not an open and shut case that it’s kenley’s job, so I should def include them, probably in the next update. fwiw, both are probably better relievers than jansen, but given his track record I think jansen still ultimately gets the job

Last edited 20 days ago by Jordan Rosenblum
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