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As the second half of the 2024 MLB season gets underway, now is the time for those competing for a fantasy baseball championship to hunker down and get that roster in order.
You have to assess needs and fill in roster holes as quickly as you can, because once the MLB trade deadline arrives, everything could get blown up all over again.
Right now, not including the division leaders, we have 19 other teams all in competition for a wild-card spot.
That number will dwindle over the next several weeks, and once it does, we’re going to witness a trade bonanza, and no position gets upended more than the closers.
During the All-Star weekend’s Home Run Derby, former general manager Jim Bowden from the “Fantasy Alarm Show” on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio had the opportunity to interview Oakland closer Mason Miller, who, surprisingly, said he had no desire or intention to become a starter and wanted to remain a closer.
Those words immediately perked up the ears of all current general managers, as Miller not being groomed as a starter means the A’s have a fantastic opportunity to trade him for future assets and rebuild their dismal franchise before they relocate to Las Vegas.
But would a new team use him as a closer or as a high-leverage set-up man?
And that’s where it becomes difficult for fantasy managers.
Oakland is far from the only team that can trade its closer to a contender, and should that player not be used in the ninth inning, the fantasy value plummets.
The Angels are likely to move Carlos Estevez, the Marlins are looking to deal Tanner Scott, and the Nationals won’t have any issues parting with Kyle Finnegan.
If you are rostering any of them as your fantasy closer, you’re going to be looking for saves in a hurry.
Even teams that are currently in the hunt but could falter over the next month will be searching for a trade partner to bolster their minor league depth.
The Pirates have long been rumored to be willing to deal away David Bednar, the Tigers would part with Jason Foley, and even Alexis Diaz of the Reds finds his name among some of the latest rumors.
The more teams that fall out, the more abundant the closer market becomes.
And you’re not just worried about your closer being traded to another team and becoming a set-up man.
Should a team like the Orioles target Miller, their incumbent, Craig Kimbrel almost certainly would get bumped.
The Yankees are another team on the prowl, so even Clay Homes’ job security is in danger.
Pay attention to the MLB standings over the next few weeks and be proactive with your bullpen.
Try and make some moves now while you can.
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Solidify your saves before it’s too late.
Once the trade deadline is here, your window of opportunity will close.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball news and advice.