Fantasy Bullpen Breakdown: Projected American League Closers to Open 2026

The MLB regular season is closing in fast, so fantasy baseball drafts will be picking up steam. We have covered several different topics this spring, but not much about the closer roles for each team, so let's do that here.

We will start with American League teams. Check back later for the National League roundup. I'll be using RosterResource from Fangraphs for the closer projections, which is one of the most helpful sites a fantasy baseball owner could have.

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Orioles - Ryan Helsley

Things look pretty simple in Baltimore. With Felix Bautista maybe out for the whole season, Helsley should have the closer role to himself.

Helsley has 105 saves over his seven-year MLB career, so he's capable of holding down that role. It all comes down to how he's faring though.

Helsley struggled to a 4.50 earned run average last season, but has a 2.96 mark for his career. I expect Helsley to bounce back and be a better fantasy asset in 2026.

I like Helsley's ADP of 152, and think he could be a major draft steal from that spot.

Red Sox - Aroldis Chapman

Things look pretty clear in Boston as well, where Chapman should be the closer. If he were to struggle or get injured, then Garrett Whitlock is a more-than-capable option.

Chapman was stellar in 2025, and could be due for some regression. I still like Chapman's ADP of 86, thinking there's a ton of room to still outproduce that mark.

If you get a chance to take Chapman, I'd jump at the opportunity.

Yankees - David Bednar

Bednar is going to close games for the Yankees, at least to start the year. Camilo Doval is likely next in line for saves.

Bednar was good in 2025 and now gets the closer role to himself in New York. I thought he was overlooked earlier this year, but his ADP is up to 91, so now he's getting attention.

I like that draft slot, and think there's room for him to outproduce that slot on such a good team. Draft Bednar if you can.

Rays - Committee

There's no clear closer in Tampa Bay. Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger and Bryan Baker are expected to share the closer role. Edwin Uceta is projected to open the year on the injured list, and he could be in that mix when healthy. 

With no clear leader for saves, all these relievers are better deep-league fantasy assets. The team's save chances will be worth watching, and if one guy steps into the closer role full-time, then they can be added in a bunch of fantasy leagues.

I'm not sure Tampa Bay will win enough to warrant a high-end fantasy closer, but don't write them all off for good.

Blue Jays - Jeff Hoffman

Hoffman should handle the closer role for Toronto. If he's ever out, Tyler Rogers is probably next in line for saves.

Hoffman had a high 4.37 ERA last season, but earned nine wins and 33 saves. He's a good fantasy asset because he's the closer on a good team.

His ADP of 152 is very respectable, and he's a good pick near that spot. Hoffman could be a high-end fantasy reliever and big-time draft steal if he improves and stays healthy.

White Sox - Seranthony Dominguez

Chicago has a closer for the first time in what seems like forever. Will the team be good enough to support Dominguez though?

Dominguez has a career 3.50 ERA, but just 40 career saves. He doesn't have more than 16 in a single season.

His ADP is 251, so he's just a deep-league fantasy asset. Dominguez could work into standard leagues if he's pitching well and the White Sox are a bit better.

Guardians - Cade Smith

With Emmanuel Clase on the restricted list, Smith should serve as the team's closer in 2026.

Smith has a 2.42 ERA over two big league seasons, and picked up 16 saves and eight wins last year. He filled in after Clase was put on the restricted list.

Smith's fantasy outlook is good, but his ADP of 62 is just a bit too high for my liking. I think you can get similar production later in the draft, so unless Smith falls a bit, I'm probably skipping him in 2026.

Tigers - Kenley Jansen

Detroit has several good relief options, but Jansen should be the closer. Will Vest or Kyle Finnegan are there if Jansen ever struggles or is injured.

Jansen can still deliver good pitching marks, and on a good team, he should be a good fantasy asset.

His ADP of 157 is very respectable, so he's another low-risk pick you can make late to round out your fantasy bullpen.

Royals - Carlos Estevez

Estevez is back as the Kansas City closer for another season. Lucas Erceg would be next in line for saves.

With a 2.45 ERA and 68 saves over the past two seasons, I think Estevez is really underrated. His ADP of 120 is too low in my eyes, so jump at the chance to add him to your fantasy team.

Twins - Taylor Rogers

It looks like Rogers is the new closer for Minnesota. Kody Funderburk and Cole Sands are the next in line for saves probably.

Rogers has a 3.34 career ERA, but just 83 saves over 10 years. He had 61 of his saves over two seasons, but otherwise has been a setup man.

He's not even on the ADP list, but if he's indeed the go-to closer in Minnesota, he can be a deep-league fantasy asset, and sneak into standard leagues if Minnesota is winning enough and he's pitching well.

Athletics - Committee

Hogan Harris, Justin Sterner and Mark Leiter Jr. are in a projected committee for the Athletics' closer role.

The Athletics could be a solid enough team to support a fantasy closer, but if there's a committee, they all will be better deep-league assets. We'll see if anyone takes the lead and becomes the go-to closer for the Athletics.

Astros - Bryan Abreu, Until Josh Hader is Back

Abreu is set to be the Houston closer with Hader expected to be placed on the injured list at the start of the regular season.

Abreu served as the team's closer for part of last season. He earned seven saves and had a 2.28 ERA over 71 innings - his 105 strikeouts is what makes Abreu an appealing fantasy reliever anyways.

Abreu's ADP is 165, and even if he closes for just a couple weeks, that makes him worth drafting near that pick. He could stick in fantasy leagues after that, even if Hader returns as the closer.

Hader's ADP is 104 and continues to drop. He's worth drafting/rostering still if you have an IR spot to stash him in, or if he falls several rounds past his ADP.

Hader is definitely a risky pick because of his early-season injury though.

Angels - Committee

Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano are the projected members of the closer committee in Los Angeles.

Again, if there's no go-to closer, then none of these guys will be big fantasy assets outside deeper leagues. The Angels might not win enough to support one closer anyways.

So this will be another team's closer role that needs to be monitored all season.

Mariners - Andres Munoz

Munoz is back as the Seattle closer after a stellar 2025 season. Matt Brash and Jose A. Ferrer are very good setup men, and would fill in if Munoz ever needs a break, or is injured.

Munoz is the third fantasy RP taken this year, going around pick 61 on average. That's a solid spot, and offers the same upside as Mason Miller and Edwin Diaz, just at a pick a round or so later.

Munoz is worth a pick near that spot, and becomes more valuable the further he falls past that ADP.

Rangers - Robert Garcia

Garcia looks to be the closer to start the season in Texas. Chris Martin is there if Garcia ever struggles or is injured.

Garcia has nine career saves, all coming in 2025. He had a 2.95 ERA over 71 appearances, but also took eight losses.

Garcia's ADP of 206 means he's a better deep-league asset to kick off 2026. If he excels in the closer role and Texas is winning enough, Garcia could work into some standard leagues, so keep an eye on him.