During the previous season, no other pitcher amassed more saves than Kansas City Royals RHP Carlos Estevez. Nevertheless, following merely one unfavorable showing on the initial weekend of the season, Estevez was subsequently relinquished from more ESPN standard leagues than any other player.
Estevez, 33, who had earlier recorded saves for the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, and Philadelphia Phillies, achieved a 2.45 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP, accumulating 42 saves during his inaugural season with the Royals. While certain other relief pitchers displayed superior metrics in strikeout rates and limiting runs — yet, once more, no one else amassed a greater number of saves.
Estevez was already a subject of keen observation after a disappointing training camp in which his fastball speed had significantly decreased. He allowed four runs and issued four walks across his five spring innings, including surrendering three long balls. On Saturday, he began the game holding a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves. He departed with a defeat and a 162.00 ERA (six earned runs while recording merely one out) and an 18.00 WHIP. Journeyman 1B Dominic Smith launched a grand slam that secured the victory in the sport’s most notable collapse of the weekend. Numerous fantasy league participants are not keen to await his subsequent appearance. Is such a decision judicious?
RHP Lucas Erceg, who recorded 14 saves in 2024 and two for the Royals during the previous season, was brought in to finalize Sunday’s 4-1 triumph, as the Royals managed to secure one win in the series. With both Estevez and Erceg not active on Monday against the Minnesota Twins, the seasoned RHP John Schreiber was credited with the save. Estevez, who sustained a blow to his left ankle from a ground ball hit by Michael Harris II on Saturday, might require a period on the injured list, regardless of whether the ankle injury or his inflated ERA is the true underlying cause.
So, who will emerge as the primary closer for the Royals this campaign? That is the crucial inquiry, is it not? Is it Estevez, Erceg or, one might assume, Schreiber? Notwithstanding the challenging beginning, I believe Estevez remains the necessary choice. Naturally, exercising patience is also imperative.
While it certainly could well be true that Estevez, whose fastball velocity averaged 91.3 mph on Saturday (compared to 95.9 mph in 2025), is so physically or mechanically impaired that he relinquishes full-time closing responsibilities, it is likely too soon to conclude that. Royals manager Matt Quatraro depended on Estevez (who ranks fifth among active pitchers on current rosters with 124 career saves) during the previous season and then again this past weekend. Estevez is a pitcher prone to inducing numerous fly balls, appearing ideally suited for the expansive Kauffman Stadium, but now the dimensions of the outfield have been slightly reduced. The club desires and requires Estevez to perform well, with Erceg, Schreiber, and LHP Matt Strahm in relief capacities preceding the closer. This constitutes the strategy.
Nevertheless, April has not even commenced, and Estevez, who ranked fifth in fantasy points among relief pitchers during the previous season and was typically selected in the middle rounds of the majority of leagues, has already seen his roster percentage decline to 51% in ESPN. For less comprehensive ESPN daily leagues, in which there are only seven active pitchers (and where holds contribute to the scoring), sure, there may be scant justification to retain Estevez because the free agent pool abounds with numerous relief pitcher alternatives. However, in conventional industry formats, particularly those structured around roto/category scoring where saves are paramount — and especially in AL-only formats — it is advisable to exercise patience.
The situation might yet resolve favorably, albeit potentially not mirroring the exact scenario of the previous season.
Value increasing
Ryan Helsley, RHP, Baltimore Orioles: Helsley allowed 16 earned runs across 20 innings pitched following his trade from the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Mets towards the end of the previous season (7.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP), so it was reasonable to question which iteration of the pitcher would emerge for Baltimore. To date, the outlook appears favorable. Helsley recorded two saves against the Twins this past weekend, averaging 99.8 mph with his fastball and without conceding a single walk. This does not, by any stretch, imply Helsley will collect 49 saves, as he did for the 2024 Cardinals, however, it is probable that his dreadful tenure with the Mets was an anomaly. Helsley has the potential to regain his status as a top-10 fantasy reliever again.
Clayton Beeter, RHP, Washington Nationals: It came as little astonishment that Beeter was granted the initial opportunity to close for Washington. While he is somewhat of a seasoned professional and is short on experience in closing roles, Beeter performed commendably for the Nationals during the latter part of the previous season, achieving a 2.49 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP across 21â…” innings. Besides, the team’s bullpen is not precisely brimming with potential closers. Beeter, 27, has contended with shoulder and command issues for an extended period, even last season, and the Nationals appear improbable to secure more victories than defeats in 2026. However, should saves be valuable in your league’s scoring system, Beeter could potentially record a minimum of 20.
Jordan Romano, RHP, Angels: It is fair to state that circumstances were unfavorable with Romano in Philadelphia last season (8.23 ERA, 10 HR in 42â…” innings). He signed with the Angels on a comparatively inexpensive agreement and, with a significant portion of the competition for the closer role sidelined due to injury, Romano was given the initial opportunity to record a save during a victory on Opening Day over the Houston Astros. Not so long ago, Romano accumulated 36 saves for two consecutive campaigns with the Toronto Blue Jays (2022-23), but it would be rather astonishing if he were to achieve that performance standard once more. Romano’s fastball averaged 96.5 mph in 2024. It only averaged 94.6 mph during the recent weekend. Speed is not the sole determinant, but we have considerable justification for doubt regarding Romano’s potential to excel throughout the current six-month season. Allow another individual to assume the risk.
Value declining
Bryan Abreu, RHP, Astros: Abreu was the apparent selection to serve as the interim closer for LHP Josh Hader, sidelined with a biceps injury, but his initial two appearances against the Angels during opening weekend were anything but flawless. Abreu, controversially considered the premier setup reliever in baseball with exceeding 100 strikeouts in each of the preceding three seasons (and an aggregate 2.40 ERA and 1.12 WHIP), allowed a three-run homer to Nolan Schanuel on Saturday, then he delivered only four of 14 pitches for strikes (issuing walks to two batters) in Sunday’s save chance and required relief from LHP Bryan King.
Abreu was ranked 11th among relief pitchers in ESPN ADP. Holds contribute to scoring, but still, it was reasonable to assume he would accumulate numerous saves for some time. Presently, it seems Hader might be back in April, and there would be no dispute regarding the closer role in this instance. Maintain Abreu on your roster, but the situation appeared more promising seven days prior.
Griffin Jax, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: Jax performed competently for the Rays following the trade deadline of the previous season and, given that the Rays’ long-serving closer, RHP Pete Fairbanks, departed for the Miami Marlins as a free agent (and is currently excelling), Jax appeared to be as suitable an option as any to secure saves for manager Kevin Cash. Fantasy league participants undeniably desired to accept this notion, at least, which is why Jax was ranked 12th among relievers in ESPN ADP — excessively sanguine.
Jax was called upon in the sixth frame on Opening Day at St. Louis, and he allowed a home run to Alec Burleson. Two days later, Jax began the 10th inning holding a one-run advantage, only to relinquish the contest due to a two-run single by JJ Wetherholt. Jax is sufficiently resilient and dependable that fantasy managers can expect statistics, but determining if that translates to 25 saves, 25 holds, or neither total is proving more challenging than many had comprehended merely a few weeks prior.