Honestly, the relief pitcher landscape in 2026 is a total mess. You've got guys like Emmanuel Clase currently sidelined by a gambling probe, Mason Miller potentially moving to the rotation in San Diego, and a free-agent frenzy that just reordered half the bullpens in the league.
If you're drafting based on last year's save totals, you're basically asking to lose your league by May.
Fantasy baseball reliever rankings aren't just about who has the "closer" tag next to their name in January. It’s about who has the job security, the K-rate to save your ratios, and the manager who won't pull them the second a lefty walks to the plate.
The Elite Tier: The Only Three Worth a Premium
There are exactly three relievers right now that don't make me want to hide under my desk.
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Edwin Diaz is back to being the most dominant arm in the game, but he’s doing it in Dodger Blue now. After opting out and signing with Los Angeles, his save floor is essentially the ceiling for everyone else. If he's healthy, 40 saves is the baseline.
Then there's Mason Miller. The Padres traded for him because they wanted a hammer, and he gave them a 0.77 ERA and a 17.4 K/9 in his brief stint there last year. The only reason he isn't the undisputed #1 is the lingering rumor that San Diego might try him as a starter again. If they do, his value shifts completely, but for now, he’s the most terrifying arm in baseball.
Andres Munoz rounds out the "Big Three." Under Dan Wilson, the Mariners finally stopped playing games with the "committee" approach. He’s a lock for 30+ saves with elite strikeouts, even if his walk rate occasionally gives you a minor heart attack.
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The "Safe-ish" Mid-Tier
Once those three are gone, you’re playing with fire.
Jhoan Duran moved to Philadelphia, which is great for his save opportunities but slightly terrifying given how the Phillies have historically used their bullpen. He’s still throwing 103 mph, so you draft him and pray his arm stays attached.
Cade Smith is the guy everyone is sleeping on. With Clase's situation in Cleveland still murky, Smith is the heir apparent. He fanned over 100 batters last year and his peripherals were actually better than his 2.93 ERA. He could legitimately be the #1 overall reliever by August.
Josh Hader in Houston is still Josh Hader. He had a shoulder strain late in 2025, which is why his ADP has dipped into the late 60s, but he’s still the primary option on a team that wins 90 games.
New Homes, New Roles
- Ryan Helsley: Now in Baltimore. He signed a two-year deal to be the man for the O's while Felix Bautista recovers from another setback.
- Pete Fairbanks: He’s a Miami Marlin now. The Rays didn't want to pay him $11 million, so Miami stepped in. Great for saves, but his injury history is a literal novel at this point.
- Kenley Jansen: The man will pitch until he’s 50. He’s in Detroit now on a one-year deal. He’ll share some work with Kyle Finnegan, but Kenley usually finds a way to hoard the 9th inning.
The Danger Zone: Committees and Question Marks
The Braves situation is a headache. Raisel Iglesias is still there, but they brought in Robert Suarez and Dylan Lee is lurking. Walt Weiss is the new manager there, and we don't really know if he prefers a traditional closer or a matchup-based approach. Honestly, I'm avoiding this bullpen unless the price is dirt cheap.
In Toronto, Jeff Hoffman is the "favorite," but he gave up 15 homers last year. That’s not a closer; that’s a liability. The Blue Jays also have Seranthony Dominguez and Yariel Rodriguez waiting in the wings. This feels like a mid-April meltdown waiting to happen.
And don't even get me started on the Athletics (now in Sacramento). They’re looking at a committee of Hogan Harris and Michael Kelly. You might get 10 saves from one of them, but you’ll destroy your WHIP in the process.
Strategy: What Most People Get Wrong
Most managers reach for a second closer in the 6th round. Don't do that.
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The gap between the 10th-ranked reliever and the 25th-ranked reliever is tiny. Instead of drafting a mediocre closer like Carlos Estevez early, grab a high-leverage "holds" guy who helps your ERA.
Look at someone like Abner Uribe in Milwaukee. Trevor Megill is the closer for now, but Uribe was arguably better in the playoffs. If Megill falters, Uribe becomes a top-10 fantasy asset overnight for the cost of a last-round flyer.
Actionable Draft Steps
- Secure one elite arm: If you can get Diaz or Miller in the late 2nd or early 3rd, take them.
- Ignore the "names": Don't draft Kenley Jansen or Aroldis Chapman just because you recognize them. Look at the SIERA and K-BB% from the second half of 2025.
- Target the SPARPs: In points leagues, guys like Chase Burns or Jacob Misiorowski (SP/RP eligible) are gold. They provide starter volume from a reliever slot.
- Watch the Wire: Save opportunities are created by injuries and trades. At least 10 of the top 30 closers by season's end aren't currently "the guy" on their team's depth chart.
Rankings are just a snapshot in time. In the world of relievers, that snapshot is usually blurry and out of focus within three weeks of Opening Day. Focus on talent and velocity, and let the saves find you.