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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.
The 2025 trade deadline delivered a whirlwind of bullpen shakeups, as contenders loaded up on high-leverage arms and several longtime closers found new homes. Many teams were active, either fortifying the back end of their bullpens or moving key relievers in deals that reshaped depth charts across the league.
From surprise closer changes to dark horse saves candidates emerging, here’s a team-by-team breakdown of the seven most significant bullpen developments over the past week.
San Diego Padres: Mason Miller joins a supercharged bullpen
Key Move: Acquired Miller and JP Sears from the A’s
Departed: Leo De Vries (SS) and a haul of top pitching prospects
The Padres went nuclear. Miller (pictured above) is one of baseball’s most electric arms and joins a bullpen that already featured 2025 All-Stars Robert Suarez, Jason Adam, and Adrian Morejon. Manager Mike Shildt has flexibility galore—but Suárez and Miller could end up sharing ninth-inning duties, with Miller likely easing in at first. Adam may be used as a fireman in the highest-leverage matchups.
Fantasy Impact: Suárez loses some solo closer value, Miller gains long-term upside. Both should of course be rostered in all formats.
New York Mets: Edwin Diaz gets support with Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers
Key Move: Acquired Helsley from the Cardinals, Rogers from the Giants and Gregory Soto from the Orioles
Departed: None of significance at the MLB level
After weeks of bullpen volatility, the Mets finally gave Edwin Díaz some breathing room. Helsley brings power late-inning stuff and postseason experience, while Rogers offers contrast with his funky delivery. The Mets now boast arguably the deepest bullpen in the NL, with Ryne Stanek, Brooks Raley and the recently-acquired Soto also in the mix.
Fantasy Impact: Díaz is locked in as closer, but Helsley is an elite handcuff and holds monster. Rogers may not close, but he could vulture wins and K’s in bulk.
New York Yankees: Surprise bullpen reload with David Bednar and Camilo Doval
Key Moves: Acquired Bednar from the Pirates and Doval from the Giants
Departed: Oswald Peraza, Drew Thorpe, and other prospects
The Yankees shocked the league by loading up on not one but two top-tier relievers. Williams is expected to keep closing, with Bednar and Doval sliding into setup and matchup roles. Luke Weaver and Tim Hill move down the ladder.
Fantasy Impact: Williams retains top-tier closer value. Bednar and Doval become elite holds options. If Williams were to falter, the Yankees have at least two capable closers waiting.
Minnesota Twins: Jhoan Duran and everyone else traded, free-for-all now
Key Move: Traded elite closer Duran to the Phillies, and also traded Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart, Louis Varland and Danny Coulombe well
Acquired: Top pitching prospect Mick Abel and top catching prospect Eduardo Tait
Minnesota made a rare move by trading away their closer mid-season. Without Duran, the Twins are expected to go committee-style, at least for now. In terms of closing experience, Cole Sands‘ two saves represent the only saves from what’s left in the bullpen. Justin Topa and Kody Funderburk could get into the mix as well.
Fantasy Impact: This is a volatile situation and it’s anyone’s guess as to who gets the most saves going forward.
Philadelphia Phillies: Duran now leads a contender’s bullpen
Key Move: Acquired elite closer Duran from the Twins
Departed: Top pitching prospect Mick Abel and top catching prospect Eduardo Tait
The Phillies made the most of Duran’s availability, sliding him into a ninth-inning role that’s been in flux all year. Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm will now operate as setup men, with José Alvarado seeing leverage once he returns from suspension. And don’t forget former closer Jordan Romano is still around as well. This group now boasts power, swing-and-miss stuff, and October upside.
Fantasy Impact: Duran is a top-10 closer rest-of-season. Kerkering, Strahm and Romano are all potential deep-league stashes.
Detroit Tigers: Acquisition of Kyle Finnegan immediately pays dividends
Key Moves: Acquired Kyle Finnegan from the Nationals and recently signed former Rangers closer Luke Jackson
Departed: None
The Tigers also strengthened their rotation by acquiring Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton, but quietly upgraded their bullpen by trading for Finnegan. He brings closing experience (108 career saves) and a power sinker to the bullpen. Will Vest then immediately blew a save on Aug. 1 and then Finnegan got his first save for the team on Aug. 2.
Fantasy Impact: Finnegan is a legitimate threat to take over the closer’s role from Vest completely, and the team also has Tommy Kahnle (9 saves this season) and Jackson (9 saves for the Rangers this season) to back them up if needed.
Baltimore Orioles: Patchwork bullpen ahead after multiple trades and injuries
Key Context: Felix Bautista remains out with injury, while the team also traded Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto and Andrew Kittredge
Additions: None via trade; internal promotions only
Baltimore didn’t make any splashy bullpen additions despite losing arms to injury and trade. Instead, Corbin Martin and Keegan Akin are getting chances in late innings, with Grant Wolfram looming. Yennier Cano has struggled with command, and it’s unclear whether anyone will take the reins outright.
Fantasy Impact: This is a fluid—and frustrating—situation. Martin has short-term closer potential, but don’t be surprised if Akin, Wolfram or even a waiver add ends up with the job by mid-August.
A look at the above-mentioned bullpens (* denotes committee)
| Team | Current closer | Backup | Next option | Dark horse |
| Padres | Robert Suarez* | Mason Miller* | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon |
| Mets | Edwin Diaz | Ryan Helsley | Tyler Rogers | Ryne Stanek |
| Yankees | Devin Williams | David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Luke Weaver |
| Twins | Cole Sands | Justin Topa | Kody Funderburk | Michael Tonkin |
| Phillies | Jhoan Duran | Orion Kerkering | Matt Strahm | Jordan Romano |
| Tigers | Kyle Finnegan* | Will Vest* | Tyler Holton | Tommy Kahnle |
| Orioles | Corbin Martin* | Keegan Akin* | Yennier Cano* | Grant Wolfram |
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.