2021 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep: Strategies for drafting relief ...

And sure, there's a possibility saves become too scarce as more teams opt for bullpen committees rather than having defined roles, but on the other hand, if you expand the relief pitcher talent base too much, it becomes as frivolous as the kicker position is to Fantasy Football.Still, counting holds the same as saves will encourage players to pursue relievers for their ability rather than their role, which might strike some as a refreshing change of pace. Because saves are what matter most at relief pitcher and because a middling closer is as capable of providing them as a high-end one, "don't pay for saves" is an age-old piece of Fantasy Baseball advice that I personally still subscribe to. Maybe not everyone is so convinced he'll be inheriting Brad Hand's role in Cleveland, but to me, there's no doubt.Position Strategy: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | SP   Trade rumors have surrounded Josh Hader for a couple of years now, but by now, he's so established as a closer that I don't think his role would change even if his team did. If the ADP holds, he'll be someone I'm taking as my top reliever time and time again.Drew Pomeranz is another potential stud closer who I don't think is being valued as such. I'm not especially confident in him either, but he's probably the last reliever with true No. 1 upside, at least among those currently in line for the closer role. As much as the Braves are paying him, I presume he'd be the choice to close if the season started today, but I suspect they'll sign one of the top remaining free agents before then, be it Trevor Rosenthal or Mark Melancon.^2019 statsBottom line is I don't expect any of these pitchers to have a full-time claim to the closer role, at least not to start out.