2017 Fantasy Baseball Closers

(9/25): Despite having issues with putting runners on base for much of his career, the 40-year-old Rodney earned a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks in the offseason and was named the closer to open the campaign. Rodney has converted 39 of 45 save chances, but hasn't looked overwhelmingly dominant while doing so. He's mostly rebuilt his job security after a rough April, but Rodney is still sitting on a 4.33 ERA for the season, rendering him little more than a middle-tier closing option. Even so, Rodney should remain a quality source of saves with the Diamondbacks having been one of the National League's stronger teams this season.

Bradley, a former top starting pitching prospect, has emerged as the Diamondbacks' most dominant arm out of the bullpen, but manager Torey Lovullo seems content to use him in high-leverage scenarios rather than as a pure ninth-inning man. Even if Bradley isn't in the mix for saves if Rodney is removed from the closer's role at some point, he'll continue to carry plenty of value in deeper leagues thanks to his elite ratios. In addition to his team-high 25 holds, Bradley has posted a 1.41 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 76:18 K:BB and one save over 70 innings this season.

Sherfy didn't make his MLB debut until Aug. 20, but after an outstanding campaign as the closer for Triple-A Reno, it looks like he'll be a mainstay at the back of the bullpen throughout the final month of the season. In just his third big-league appearance, Sherfy was called upon to record a two-inning save while Rodney was unavailable and rose to the occasion. With Rodney set to become a free agent this winter, it wouldn't be surprising if Sherfy was given a chance to close games in 2018 if the Diamondbacks don't bring in a veteran stopper. Though 10.2 big-league innings, Sherfy has given up no runs and has struck out nine batters.

Hernandez looked like a potential closer in waiting for the Diamondbacks in his first stint with the club from 2011 to 2015, but that never ended up materializing over a prolonged period. He's bounced around the league since leaving Arizona, but turned into a desired late-inning asset when he was with the Angels earlier this season, prompting the playoff-contending Diamondbacks to trade for him July 31. With a 3.21 ERA and 8.6 K/9 rate on the season, Hernandez should remain quite dependable as part of the bridge to Rodney.