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As we move into the dog days of summer, MLB bullpens are under the microscope with the trade deadline looming and postseason races intensifying. Roles are shifting, new names are emerging, and veteran closers are fighting to prove they still belong.
Two of baseball’s best closers were moved in deadline-week deals — and with them, four bullpens now look dramatically different. Here’s a breakdown of what it means for fantasy managers and teams alike.
Mets land Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers to improve their late-inning core
The Mets made two high-leverage acquisitions in the span of 24 hours, landing Helsley from the Cardinals and Rogers from the Giants to bulk up their bullpen. The message is clear: they’re aiming to shorten games and eliminate risk in the late innings.
- Edwin Díaz remains the clear-cut closer and should now see fewer multi-inning saves.
- Ryan Helsley becomes a high-end setup weapon and occasional closer fill-in — his fantasy value shifts to SV+HLD leagues.
- Tyler Rogers, with his funky delivery and extreme groundball rate, offers a trusted middle-innings bridge and platoon weapon — he’s more valuable in deeper leagues and can vulture wins or holds.
Phillies get Jhoan Duran to lock down the ninth
The Phillies addressed their biggest need by trading for Duran (pictured above), who immediately steps in as the team’s closer. With a triple-digit fastball and elite whiff metrics, Duran gives Philadelphia an elite closer.
- Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm shift into setup roles.
- Jordan Romano remains a fallback option, though he’s clearly sliding in the depth chart.
This is great news for fantasy players: Duran moves from a cloudy situation in Minnesota to a team that can give him more consistent save opportunities.
Twins turn to committee after Duran deal
The Twins shipped off Duran but didn’t add a clear ninth-inning replacement. That means a committee — or at least a tryout — is on the horizon.
- Griffin Jax gets first crack at saves.
- Louis Varland, Brock Stewart, and eventually Danny Coulombe could all factor in based on matchups or availability.
Cardinals rebuild their late-inning picture
The Cardinals fully turned the page on the Helsley era, handing the reins to Phil Maton — at least for now. The righty has seven career saves, but could also get traded before the deadline as well. He fits the mold of a “stopgap closer” while St. Louis evaluates options.
- JoJo Romero could push for more saves if he’s used in high-leverage spots.
- Kyle Leahy and Riley O’Brien are less likely options but could factor in if the top names falter.
Fantasy-wise, this is the least stable of the four bullpens and probably best left for speculators in deep formats.
A look at the above mentioned bullpen situations (* denotes committee)
| Team | Current closer | Backup | Next option | Dark horse |
| Mets | Edwin Diaz | Ryan Helsley | Tyler Rogers | Ryne Stanek |
| Phillies | Jhoan Duran | Orion Kerkering | Matt Strahm | Jordan Romano |
| Twins | Griffin Jax* | Louis Varland* | Brock Stewart | Danny Coulombe |
| Cardinals | Phil Maton* | JoJo Romero* | Kyle Leahy | Riley O’Brien |
Don’t miss the next big change
Closer roles are among the most fluid in fantasy baseball—and the biggest source of sneaky value. That’s why it’s essential to stay on top of bullpen usage, velocity trends, and manager comments.
Our Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart does just that. We monitor every MLB bullpen so you can act before your league-mates do.