Paul’s Call to the ‘Pen: May 13 – Holds Edition

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  • By Paul Williamson

    Last Updated on May 13, 2026 6:39 pm by Paul Williamson | Published: May 13, 2026

    Some ‘pens are clear as day.

    Some have been frustrating guessing games.

    Some relievers have run away with their resective jobs.

    Some are barely hanging on.

    As always, I will list my these relievers in the following 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?

    MUST ROSTER

    Names discussed in the Save Edition and are ‘must roster’ holds league dudes.

    Riley O’Brien, Ryan Helsley (IL stash), Rico Garcia, Louis Varland, Jeff Hoffman, Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, Daniel Palencia, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Cade Smith, Andres Munoz, Pete Fairbanks, Devin Williams, Mason Miller, Jhoan Duran, Brad Keller, Greg Soto, Bryan Baker, Aroldis Chapman, David Bednar

    Garrett Cleavinger – TBR – five holds in six games since coming off the IL.

    Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon – SDP – Two of the best setup men in the game. Jeremiah Estrada is great too but there are too many mouths to feed in this ‘pen to call him must roster as well.

    Jose Ferrer – SEA – Is on the Paternity List but is the top setup man for Munoz in Seattle

    Phil Maton – CHC – With Palencia and Maton back, this ‘pen has a clear top two.

    Anthony Nunez – BAL – great swing and miss and is a top high leverage arm in Baltimore.

    Erik Sabrowski – CLE – He now has 15 holds, 15.8% SwStr% and 43.9% K%. Yeah, get him.

    Fernando Cruz – NYY – elite swing and miss is back and should be main setup man for Bednar.

    SOLID PLAY

    Names in the saves article that are ‘solid plays’ in holds leagues

    Bryan King, Paul Sewald, Dennis Santana, Jacob Latz, Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Lucas Erceg, Kenley Jansen, Kyle Finnegan, Seranthony Dominguez

    Jose Alvarado – PHI – It hasn’t always been pretty but he has had a run of scoreless outings and the swing and miss is there (14.7% SwStr%).

    Luke Weaver – NYM – When (if?) the Mets start winning, he will start getting holds.

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    May 13, 2026, 6:39 pm