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Closer Rankings: Street, Soria, other closers on the trading block
The trade deadline is just three weeks away, and that means it's time to start speculating in the saves market. A number of closers (hey, Huston Street. Looking at you, Chad Qualls) could be dealt by July 31. While a guy like Street would almost certainly remain a closer with his new team, a lesser option like Qualls would probably go back to being a setup man. Fantasy owners need to be considering the implications of potential trades right now.
Fantasy baseball Pitching Report: Sale headlines initial All-Star snubs
Of course, if a sitting closer is traded, that creates a void on his current team. If Street is pitching for someone other than the Padres on August 1, Joaquin Benoit would likely take over as the closer. However, the Padres are also getting calls on the veteran setup man. Should be have new homes in the near future, it would likely be Dale Thayer taking over the ninth-inning duties in San Diego.
With the Rangers looking like potential sellers, GM Jon Daniels is likely to receive offers for Joakim Soria. That makes Neftali Feliz a strong target for save-needy fantasy owners. Tony Sipp, Jose Veras or Josh Fields could become the closer in Houston if the Astros find a taker for Qualls.
The trade season is just beginning, and relief pitchers are certain to be in play. Now is the time for savvy fantasy owners to start taking some chances on potential closers.
1. Craig Kimbrel
2. Koji Uehara
3. Aroldis Chapman
4. Greg Holland
5. Kenley Jansen
6. Huston Street
Street seems like a lock to be traded by the deadline. Any team that acquires him would likely make him their closer.
7. Joakim Soria
Soria is a prime candidate to get dealt with the Rangers inching ever closer to being a seller.
8. Sean Doolittle
9. Rafael Soriano
10. Steve Cishek
11. Glen Perkins
12. Francisco Rodriguez
Rodriguez was named to the NL All-Star Team over the weekend. It has been quite the resurgent year for the 32-year-old.
13. David Robertson
14. Casey Janssen
15. Trevor Rosenthal
16. Fernando Rodney
17. Jonathan Papelbon
Papelbon would likely be a popular name on the hot stove if he didn't have such a terrible contract.
18. Zach Britton
19. Addison Reed
Reed never makes it easy. Beware the looming Brad Ziegler.
20. Cody Allen
Cleveland Indians
21. Chad Qualls
The Astros will have to consider any offers they receive for Qualls, and he'd more than likely move into a setup role if he were traded.
22. LaTroy Hawkins
23. Joe Smith
24. Jake McGee
25. Mark Melancon
Melancon seemingly solidfied the closer's role when Pittsburgh sent Jason Grilli to the Angels, but he has struggled while Tony Watson has been unhittable.
26. Hector Rendon
27. Santiago Casilla
Casilla was named the official closer by Bruce Bochy last week.
28. Jenrry Mejia
29. Jake Petricka
Robin Ventura has held off on anointing Petricka the closer, but he picked up a save over the weekend. He's the White Sox reliever to own.
30. Joe Nathan
31. Joba Chamberlain
Detroit Tigers
Chamberlain could get a shot at some saves with Nathan scuffling. More likely, though, the Tigers will make a move for a closer.
32. Joaquin Benoit
San Diego Padres
Benoit seems like a sure bet to be traded, and the Tigers know him well. Hmm...
33. Brad Ziegler
Detroit Tigers
34. Joel Peralta
Tampa Bay Rays
35. Wade Davis
Kansas City Royals
36. Danny Farquhar
Seattle Mariners
37. Neil Ramirez
Chicago Cubs
38. Grant Balfour
Tampa Bay Rays
39. Drew Storen
Washington Nationals
40. Pat Neshek
St. Louis Cardinals
41. Tony Watson
Pittsburgh Pirates
42. Bryan Shaw
Cleveland Indians
43. Dellin Betances
New York Yankees
44. Junichi Tazawa
Boston Red Sox
45. Tyler Clippard
Washington Nationals
46. Neftali Feliz
Texas Rangers
If the Rangers swing a Joakim Soria deal, the once-dominant Feliz would likely step back into the closer's role.
47. Zach Putnam
Chicago White Sox
48. Jason Grilli
Los Angeles Angels
49. Jonathan Broxton
Cincinnati Reds
50. Darren O'Day
Baltimore Orioles
Michael Beller is SI.com's fantasy sports editor and a staff writer covering fantasy, college basketball and MLB. He resides in Chicago and has been with SI.com since 2010.