The reliever is one of the most — if not, the most — volatile positions in fantasy. Last season, even relievers who could have been considered highly safe (ex. Camilo Doval, Clay Holmes) proved to be anything but. The offseason is still moving but many teams will see closer changes for next season. For fantasy baseball players prepping for 2025, here’s an early look at which teams will have new closers heading into the year.

Blue Jays

We’ll start with the Blue Jays, who figured out their closer situation by signing Jeff Hoffman to a three-year deal. Hoffman reportedly had multiple deals — one with Baltimore, and the other with the Braves — broken up this offseason thanks to shoulder concerns. The Braves one is a curious one, as reports out of Atlanta indicated he could have been a starter.

Instead, he’ll stick in the bullpen and likely take over the Blue Jays’ closer role in 2025. Hoffman got run as the Phillies’ closer last year, with 10 saves but was moved back into a setup role when Carlos Estevez was added. Toronto does have relievers who could close, like Chad Green and Yimi Garcia. However, Hoffman is the clear favorite.

Brewers

The projected 2025 closer for the Brewers will be technically new, despite the fact this individual closed for much of Milwaukee’s 2024 campaign. The job firmly belongs to Trevor Megill, who will replace Devin Williams after a blockbuster trade that sent him to The Bronx.

Megill heads into 2025 as a borderline top-10 closer — in our preseason rankings (which will be released soon), he’s the 11th-best reliever available — thanks to a powerful arsenal. The right-hander owns a power curve to go along with a triple-digit fastball. He notched 21 saves last season and in position for more in 2025.

Nationals

The Nationals non-tendered Kyle Finnegan in November, likely balking at what would have been a significant increase in salary. Finnegan finished 2024 with 38 saves, good for third-most in the league, and entered the offseason one year away from free agency.

Washington recently signed RP Jorge Lopez, the right-hander who rebounded after a tough 2023 and has closer experience. Lopez, as of now, should be considered the favorite. However, young righty Zach Brzykcy is another name to watch.

Orioles

The Orioles went through numerous relievers in 2024 to try to close out games: Craig Kimbrel, Seranthony Dominguez, and Yennier Cano. Dominguez was the most successful name of the bunch, as he notched 10 saves after he was acquired, without much of the theatrics associated with Kimbrel.

But as 2025 nears, this season shouldn’t be as chaotic. Felix Bautista, the 2023 AL Reliever of the Year, missed all of last season thanks to Tommy John surgery recovery. Expectations for Bautista should be dampened somewhat in 2025, given it’s been a while since he’s last thrown a MLB pitch. But, don’t forget he struck out 110 and notched 33 saves two years earlier.

Phillies

The Phillies lost arguably their two best relievers — Estevez and Hoffman — to free agency. Thus, it seemed likely Philadelphia would add at least one reliever. That was done in December when the Phillies signed Jordan Romano to a one-year deal.

Between his hard fastball and a very good slider, Romano has the stuff to be a elite closer. In fact, Romano was in 2022-23, as the ex-Blue Jay finished second in saves during that span. However, the presences of Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering cut could cut into those save opportunities, depending on matchup and situation.

Rangers

This is where things get rather interesting. As of this writing, several high-end relievers remain available. Tanner Scott and Carlos Estevez are still free agents, as is Kenley Jansen. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Rangers go after one of those names, especially since their closer from 2024 went to free agency.

Kirby Yates was excellent in 2024, as his fastball/split combo carried him to 33 saves, good for seventh in the league. Yates is still available, meaning a reunion is possible. But if the season were to start today, arguably their best closer option is the recently-acquired righty Chris Martin.

Red Sox

The Red Sox are in a similar boat, compared to the Rangers. Boston lost their closer Kenley Jansen to free agency. And given that Jansen left the team before the season ended after an IL stint ended it, don’t expect him back with the Sox in 2025.

If the Red Sox don’t sign a reliever, the ninth inning could fall to Justin Slaten. Slaten, a 2023 Rule 5 Draft pick, was excellent in 2024 for Boston. He struck out 58 and walked only nine over 55.1 IP, pitching largely in a setup role. Slaten thrived in that particular role. However, closing games is a different animal.

Yankees

The Yankees started 2024 with Clay Holmes as closer — but ended with Luke Weaver. Weaver was sensational, with 103 strikeouts over 84 frames. Weaver often logged more than three outs in his outings, and didn’t pitch on consecutive days. If the Yankees want to go that route again with Weaver, it shouldn’t be an issue, as the team has a new closer yet again.

Devin Williams brings a mountain of experience, with two NL Reliever of the Year awards and 65 saves over the last three campaigns. Armed with one of the best changeups in the game, Williams — who we will rate as the third-best reliever heading into 2025 — will remain a top reliever option provided he stays healthy.