Paul’s Call to the ‘Pen: June 10

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  • By Paul Williamson

    ENDED ON GUARDS!

    This article will place relievers in to four tiers –

    Must-roster – they should be rostered in all leagues.

    Solid play – They are 12-team viable, fringe options for shallower leagues.

    Fringe-play – I would only roster them in 12-team leagues if I was starved for saves or holds

    Deep league play – I’m only using them in deeper than 12-team leagues

    Dart throw – Are you desperate?

    Then, within each tier, I will differentiate between SAVES ONLY LEAGUES and SAVES + HOLDS LEAGUES.

    MUST ROSTER

    SAVES ONLY LEAGUES

    Last Call to the ‘Pen ‘must roster list – Cade Smith, Mason Miller, Josh Hader, Raisel Iglesias, Riley O’Brien, Daniel Palencia, Paul Sewald, Tanner Scott, Jhoan Duran, Bryan Baker, David Bednar. 

    Mason Miller – SDP – He is pretty good.

    Cade Smith – CLE – He has been just as good as we thought he would be as a closer.

    Jhoan Duran – PHI – He has six saves in his last seven appearances.

    Josh Hader – HOU – The velocity is back. The whiffs are back.. Hader is back.

    Bryan Baker – TBR – He has become a very reliable closer for a winning Rays team.

    Louis Varland – TOR – Hoffman reminded everyone of the PTSD they have from his time as a closer. The Blue Jays started to give Hoff some ninths he imploded after a short run of success. This propels Louis Varland back to ‘must-roster’ territory.

    Trevor Megill – MIL – His recent blown save was the first runs he has allowed since May 12. Keep an eye on his injury as oblique tightness has had him unavailable since Monday. If we learn he is out, Abner Uribe is a must-add.

    Riley O’Brien – STL – These Cards just keep winnin’ and he keeps getting saves. Three straight scoreless outings are a great sign that he has moved passed some struggles.

    Raisel Iglesias – ATL – He just keeps getting it done.

    Tanner Scott – LAD – He has alternated days coughing up runs giving us some PTSD flashbacks to last year. We’re not dropping him but proceed with caution. He has been so good this year up until now.

    SAVES + HOLDS LEAUGES

    Smith – CLE

    Hader – HOU

    Duran, Brad Keller – PHI – Keller has six holds to go with those six Duran saves.

    Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee – ATL – Suarez and Lee are amongst the best setup men in the game.

    Tyler Rogers, Varland – TOR – Rogers has just been so consistent and now has 14 holds.

    Megill, Abner Uribe – MIL – If we learn that Megill is out for an extended period of time, Aaron Ashby gets a bump into must roster territory for holds.

    O’Brien, JoJo Romero – STL – We have seen O’Brien turn things around after some struggles and now it is Romero’s turn. I have enough confidence to not bump either down. As we approach the trade deadline, I do think the Cards will want a stronger arm off the trade market.

    Miller, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam – SDP – These three arms are (almost) exclusively locking down all of the teams’ saves and holds.

    Jose A. Ferrer, Andres Munoz – SEA – More on Munoz the closer later but he is still someone you want in holds leagues. Ferrer will not get full reign behind Munoz with Matt Brash hurt, again.

    Baker, Kevin Kelly – TBR – It looks like Ian Seymour is going to the rotation so Kelly gets a clearer path to holds.

    SOLID PLAY

    SAVES ONLY LEAGUES

    Jacob Latz – TEX – He has a firm hold on this closer’s role and the Rangers are on a roll.

    Aroldis Chapman – BOS – the team context prevents him being a ‘must-roster’ dude.

    Ryan Helsley – BAL – injury stash. He is on a rehab assignment.

    Daniel Palencia – CHC – Leaves the ‘must-roster’ tier because the Cubs are just on a major slide as he has not had a save in more than two weeks. WEDNESDAY – Damnit. He couldn’t protect a tie game.  But his was in Coors and this has not become a trend.

    Devin Williams – NYM – Mets are climbing back up, playing .500 ball lately. Williams notched a save on Thursday.

    Gregory Soto – PIT – Watch him. He had been pretty solid but has turned in a couple of ugly outings and the Pirates have been quick to move on to other arms this year.

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    June 12, 2026, 9:30 am