Fantasy baseball waiver wire: Several new closer jobs open up

With all the craziness going on over the past several days, you'd think it was Infrastructure Week. Instead, it's really Closer Carousel Week.  

A trade, a punched wall and a problematic pair of pants have forced three MLB teams to rebuild the back end of their bullpens. And on Saturday, a bum shoulder added another to the list. So in that sense, maybe we can all it Infrastructure Week after all. 

Double check:  Last week's recommendations, including Willy Adames, Jonathan Loaisiga

Suggested bid values based on $100 FAAB (free agent acquisition budget). Feel free to exceed the recommendation if league dynamics or team needs warrant. Stats through Thursday.

BEST BETS

RP Sam Dyson, San Francisco Giants
(NL: $15, Mixed: $9)

Hunter Strickland blew a save Monday night and punched a wall in frustration, breaking his hand and sidelining him for two months. Dyson has been effective all season (2.94 ERA, 1.07 WHIP in 33 2/3 innings), but he couldn't convert his first save opportunity as Strickland's successor. Manager Bruce Bochy said he'd turn to Dyson first so it's unlikely one appearance will change those plans. 

However ... Veteran lefty Tony Watson has closing experience and has been even better than Dyson (1.82 ERA, 0.98 WHIP in 34 2/3 innings). Reyes Moronta, 25, has a 1.91 ERA in 33 innings and he cleaned up Dyson's mess for his first major league save. 

NEW: A.J. Minter, Atlanta Braves
(NL: $12, Mixed: $6)

Closer Arodys Vizcaino came down with shoulder inflammation on Saturday, sending him to the disabled list. Both Minter and Dan Winkler have been solid in setup roles, but Winkler couldn't get the job done in the first post-Vizcaino save opportunity -- giving up four runs on three hits vs. Baltimore. That should open the door for the lefty, Minter. He's struck out 35 in 30 innings (10.5 K/9) and has pitched better than his 3.30 ERA indicates.

2B Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City Royals
(AL: $10, Mixed: $5)

Mondesi, 22, was all set to take over this spring as the Royals' shortstop of the future ... and then the team re-signed veteran Alcides Escobar. After nearly half a season of Escobar putting up a .537 OPS, Mondesi has been recalled from purgatory in Omaha to play at least three times a week.

In the minors, Mondesi hit .250 with five homers, but his fantasy value will come on the basepaths. He was perfect in 10-for-10 in stolen bases at Class AAA and was successful on his first attempt with the Royals.

NEW: OF Colby Rasmus, Baltimore Orioles
(AL: $8; Mixed: $5)

Back from an extended stay on the disabled list because of a hip injury, Rasmus is playing regularly and leading off frequently for the Orioles. His full-season numbers are horrible, but he's been much better since returning (3-for-10, HR, four runs scored). In leagues that have a limited number of DL spots, he's been long forgotten -- and is now worth picking back up. 

UPDATED: SP Wade LeBlanc, Seattle Mariners
(AL: $7, Mixed: $4)

The veteran lefty, 33, has been outstanding in his return to the rotation. In nine starts and five relief appearances, he's posted a 2.63 ERA and posted a career-high 7.6 K/9 rate. He shut out the Red Sox on two hits (with nine strikeouts) his last time out, but faces them again at Fenway on Friday.

(Oops. The second time was not the charm for LeBlanc vs. Boston. He gave up six runs and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings. That'll drop his bid price down a few dollars. His ERA is up to 3.26 and his strikeout rate down to 7.3 K/9.)

REPLACEMENTS

RP Sergio Romo, Tampa Bay Rays
(Mixed: $6)

Romo made headlines when the Rays decided to use him as an "opener," but he's returned to the closer's role over the past two weeks. He's had save chances in each of his last four appearances dating back to June 12 -- and converted three of them. 

RP Kelvin Herrera, Washington Nationals
(NL: $6)

The former Royals closer moves to a setup role after being traded to Washington, but his overall excellence this season (1.01 ERA, 11/1 K/BB ratio) and the possibility of some stray wins/saves behind the oft-injured Sean Doolittle make him worth keeping in mixed leagues -- and adding in NL-only formats.

UPDATED: RP Tim Hill, Kansas City Royals
(AL: $6, Mixed: $3)

Who takes over for Herrera in Kansas City? The first save chance went to the left-hander, Hill, who preserved a 1-0 shutout of the Astros on Friday night. That may or may not be the case going forward. The 28-year-old rookie has a 4.56 ERA in 23 2/3 innings and had never pitched above Class AA before this season.

Righty Kevin McCarthy has been used in the highest leverage situations of anyone remaining in the bullpen. And yes, Brandon Maurer does have "closing experience," but he had a 5.48 ERA at Omaha when he was recalled to take Herrera's spot on the roster. Stay away from this situation unless you're desperate for saves.

RP Mark Melancon, San Francisco Giants
(NL: $5, Mixed: $3)

You may have noticed Melancon not mentioned with the other Giants relievers, despite his 180 career saves. The veteran has only made eight appearances this season coming back from offseason elbow surgery. But one of those came Thursday night (with Dyson unavailable), when he tossed a scoreless ninth inning to get his first save since last June.

Melancon has allowed two earned runs in 7 2/3 innings (2.35 ERA). If he continues to progress and shows he can pitch on consecutive days, he could be in the closer's mix -- possibly even after Strickland comes back.

RP Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs
(NL: $4, Mixed: $1)

Closer Brandon Morrow tweaked his back taking off his pants, and had to be put on the disabled list. It doesn't look like a lengthy stint, so Strop (or possibly Steve Cishek) will only get a few save chances in the inseam ... errr, interim. Both have ERAs around 2.00, so they'll be a relaxed fit on your roster while you speculate for saves.

SPECULATIVE PICKUP

SP Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks

Miller is a huge injury risk coming back from Tommy John surgery 14 months ago. He's made four rehab starts, totaling 19 1/3 innings, and is set to return to the Arizona rotation on Monday. Miller's last decent season came in 2015 with Atlanta, but the D'backs are a first-place team and pitching at Miami isn't a bad way to get back in the game.

Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner