Fantasy Baseball: Closing Arguments – Add Corey Knebel

Welcome to this week’s installment of closing arguments where I help you find some closers to add to your fantasy baseball squad. I suggest you roster Corey Knebel where you can folks. The majors saw a lot of turnover recently in the closing ranks. Depending on your league type, some of these players may be available. By the way, is anyone else wondering when the show Fargo will tie back into the season’s opening scene? Well, let’s dive into some research to distract ourselves.

Current Closer	Next in line	Team	League	Notes
Brad Brach	Darren O'Day	Baltimore	American League	Zach Britton DL
Craig Kimbrel	Joe Kelly	Boston	American League
Dellin Betances	Adam Warren	New York Yankees	American League	Aroldis Chapman DL
Alex Colome	Brad Boxberger	Tampa Bay	American League
Roberto Osuna	Jason Grilli	Toronto	American League
David Robertson	Tommy Kahnle	Chicago White Sox	American League	Nate Jones DL
Cody Allen	Andrew Miller	Cleveland	American League
Justin Wilson	Francisco Rodriguez	Detroit	American League
Kelvin Herrera	Joakim Soria	Kansas City	American League
Brandon Kintzler	Ryan Pressly	Minnesota	American League
Ken Giles	Luke Gregerson	Houston	American League
Bud Norris	Yusmeiro Petit	Los Angeles Angeles	American League
Santiago Casilla	Ryan Madson	Oakland	American League
Edwin Diaz	Nick Vincent	Seattle	American League
Matt Bush	Jeremy Jeffress	Texas	American League
Jim Johnson	Mauricio Cabrera	Atlanta	National League
A.J. Ramos	Kyle Barraclough	Miami	National League
Addison Reed	Fernando Salas	New York Mets	National League	Jeurys Familia - Blood clot issue
Hector Neris	Joaquin Benoit	Philadelphia	National League
Shawn Kelley	Blake Treinen	Washington	National League	Koda Glover DL
Wade Davis	Carl Edwards	Chicago Cubs	National League
Raisel Iglesias	Drew Storen	Cincinnati	National League
Corey Knebel	Jacob Barnes	Milwaukee	National League
Tony Watson	Daniel Hudson	Pittsburgh	National League
Seung Hwan Oh	Trevor Rosenthal	St. Louis	National League
Fernando Rodney	Randall Delgado	Arizona	National League
Greg Holland	Adam Ottavino	Colorado	National League
Kenley Jansen	Sergio Romo	Los Angeles Dodgers	National League
Brandon Maurer	Ryan Buchter	San Diego	National League
Mark Melancon	Derek Law	San Francisco	National League

It is highly unlikely you can add Betances or Melancon who have regained their closer roles. Depending on your league Addison Reed, may be available. He is the best player to add, based on performance, job security, and save opportunities. I won’t dwell on him because he is probably not available. Just for an idea of my rankings, I dropped Bud Norris for Reed in two leagues. The Angels closer situation is best left to someone else in your league.

Santiago Casilla is the safest pick of the remaining names. He is also the least exciting. Oakland is a lousy team and Casilla has been mediocre in the past year or two.

Shawn Kelley is the most available for good reason. The Nationals have all but posted a billboard on I-95 saying they are trying to trade for closer. Dusty Baker has been rotating all season between Kelley, Blake Treinen, and Koda Glover. I would avoid this whole situation unless you are desperate for saves.

Corey Knebel is still available in 35% of leagues and that number should be higher. He has the stuff to hold down the gig. The Brewers are not the Cubs, but they have been holding their own. Knebel is my recommended add because of his availability and his stuff. However, he could lose the back to Neftali Feliz. It is also likely one or both of them gets traded near July 31st. 

Fangraphs shows Corey Knebel has already been worth 1.1 wins above replacement (WAR). On their website you can learn more about this metric, should you choose. The main reason I bring this up, is that this is a very high number only 25% of the way through the season. It would mean he is on pace to add over FOUR wins to the Brewers projected total, solely based on his performance. That is amazing. Even if the save opportunities become less frequent, Corey Knebel’s stuff will help you with strikeouts, and your ERA/WHIP ratios. This is why I recommend adding him where you can.

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