Closers in 2025 remained the most volatile fantasy category, with half of the top 20 ADP options failing to hit draft value. Emmanuel Clase led the way in durability but was limited by a late-season suspension. A mix of elite performers (Muñoz, Díaz, Duran) and value pickups (Chapman, Pagán) underscored the strategy: grab saves early or hunt for late-round opportunities in the right spots.

The 2026 landscape centers on big-name free agents and uncertain roles, headlined by Devin Williams and a group of veterans and under-the-radar relievers who already showed upside. Rising arms like Braydon Fisher and Ronny Henriquez offer path-to-closer potential, while teams with blank closers loom as clear targets for speculative adds in drafts and on waivers.

For fantasy managers, the piece maps stable closers (Muñoz, Díaz, Hader, Jansen), potential job switches (Bednar to Yankees), and the year-to-year volatility that can yield value in late rounds. The key is identifying the right situations early and monitoring winter moves that could shuffle saves into or out of DJ-friendly bullpens.