The October strategy shift was evident in that relief pitchers pitched more innings than the starting pitchers. The team should therefore be aiming to defend their World Series title. Atlanta BravesLate Friday night, they went all-in and increased their bullpen capacity.
Kenley Jansen13th on all-time saves and second among active relief pitchers (350), with the 36% highest strikeout rate (36.8%) among pitchers with at minimum 500 innings (36.8%), he agreed to terms with the Braves for a one-year, $16million contract. He will immediately assume their ninth-inning duties. He’ll be joined by his teammates. Will SmithThe 2021 team closer,, will return to a setup role. This is a crowded position that also includes Luke Jackson, Tyler Matzek, Collin McHughAnd A.J. Minter.
Jansen’s grip on the close role with the Los Angeles DodgersHe appeared fragile over the last four seasons to the point that he was often overlooked for hot-hand reliefrs in the postseason. It was mostly perception. His 120 saves in 2018-21 were one less than the major league leader. Edwin Diaz (121). Jansen posted a 3.07 FIP in his past two seasons and had three consecutive years of 30+ strikeout rates. It is clear that his skills are still top-notch, even though he is no longer the best player. Jansen is the baseball’s No. 1 closer.
Jansen, despite the competition in Atlanta, is a solid bet for another 30+ saves. His apparent settling into his 2020-21 statistical skills levels suggests that he has every opportunity to repeat his No. Positional #3 Player Rater finish or fourth-best-among-relievers fantasy point total. I’ve promoted him to eighth in the position between Aroldis ChapmanAnd Giovanny GallegosMy 2022 fantasy baseball reliever rankings.
Smith is the pitcher with the worst fantasy value. He’ll switch from save-to-hold-getter and his team’s lead in this category. Jackson, Matzek McHugh, McHugh, and Minter all have compelling cases for Smith’s better skills than Smith. A mix-and-match approach may be in order to beat Jansen. Smith is currently my No. 67 points-league relief pitcher, a precipitous drop.
Los Angeles: Who now closes? The Dodgers are willing to trust Jansen in times of difficulty or absence, along with their mix-and match lineup, so a closer-by committee might be the right solution. Blake TreinenTreinen is the most experienced and has the best-fitting set of skills. However, Dave Roberts wants Treinen on the team at all times.
Daniel Hudson, Brusdar GraterolAnd Tommy KahnleCould also be involved, but not in the same order. Treinen is my no.1 fantasy saves leader. 11 fantasy relief pitcher. Graterol, Hudson, and Graterol are both strong speculative picks in deep (15-team) mixed leagues and NL only leagues.