Projected Top 5 Save Leaders In The American And National League For MLB 2016

Craig Kimbrel is still about as filthy as they come in nailing down games in the Majors. With 225 Saves and a 1.63 ERA in the last 5 years of his career, this 27 year old flamethrower brings his talents to Beantown and a top rated club. Last year was the 1st season he didn’t lead the National League after four consecutive years of leading the Senior Circuit. He still managed 39 Saves for a 74 win San Diego team. Since the Red Sox are going to be somewhere in the 90 win range, Kimbrel should at least be in the mid 40’s in Saves again for 2016.

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Figuring out the Saves Leaders for the 2016 year is a lot easier to project than the Holds Leaders we did last week.  Perhaps the easiest to discern is also the National League.

Since I projected 7 teams will win 90+ games in the Senior Circuit I have listed 5 teams with their Closer out of the fold there.  I did however, leave out Hector Rondon and Mark Melancon.

I feel the Bucs may trade Melancon despite being in a position to make the playoffs.   I also think the Cubs will blow out a ton of clubs this season in games, and therefore not need Rondon to lockdown a 3 run or under lead.

This is the same reason why I won’t label Roberto Osuna for the top 5 in the American League either.  It is also not unfathomable to see the Jays go with Drew Storen to close down games.

I fully think that Craig Kimbrel will lead the entire Major Leagues for the Boston Red Sox as their Closer.

I may have gone with Aroldis Chapman on the list as well, however his pending suspension for his domestic violence call in should see him riding pine for at least 25 games.  The New York Yankees should still lead the Junior Circuit for total team Saves.

K-Rod was acquired by the Tigers this winter after having a career renaissance in the last two campaigns with the Brewers – fashioning 82 Saves. Rodriguez is also the Active Saves Leaders with 386 total. He will enter his age 34 season with a Tigers club that should remain in contention all year. Detroit will look to have a good Closer for the first time since 2011 – when Jose Valverde was almost perfect with an American League leading 49 Saves.

Ken Giles of the Astros may be a surprise to some folks, but I think Houston might win the most amount of games in the American League.  The more I see the Angels and Rangers doing duff for offseason acquisitions, the more I like the “Stros to rack up Saves.

Sean Doolittle was a guy who I would put just outside the list here, but I am not sure the A’s will have enough opportunities for him.  I also wouldn’t put it past Billy Beane to deal him later on this season.

I stayed away from A.J. Ramos and Brad Ziegler in the National League – although Arizona and Miami may place themselves in contention all year.

Forget about the bottom feeding Brewers, Reds, Rockies, Padres, Phillies and Braves from having anybody.

Glen Perkins, Steve Cishek and Cody Allen are the listed Closers for the Twins, M’s and Indians respectively,  but I just don’t think they will have enough chances to nail down victories.

Zach Britton and the Rays Brad Boxberger may be highly sought after trade acquisitions later in July when the O’s and Rays are out of the race.

Huston Street and Shawn Tolleson round out the listed Closers. I believe the Halo’s will have the worst record in the AL heading into June, and as such – may deal Street.

Tolleson has a better chance to back up his 35 Save season in 2015, and I think he will be in the mid 30’s again for 2016, falling just short of the mark.

2016 Saves Projections

American League Leaders

Craig Kimbrel, BOS – 49

Francisco Rodriguez, DET – 43

Wade Davis, KC – 42

Ken Giles, HOU – 40

David Robertson, CWS – 38

National League Leaders

Jeurys Familia, NYM – 48

Trevor Rosenthal, STL – 46

Santiago Casilla, SF – 43

Kenley Jansen, LAD – 40

Jonathan Papelbon, WSH – 40

Jeurys Familia will have to shake off the 2015 playoffs, however I think he will do an awesome job in a mop up role for 2016. In 2015 he registered 43 Saves after taking over the Closers role for the suspended Jenrry Mejia.  With New York possibly winning in the 90’s for victories in the upcoming campaign, look for this guy to have a monster year – and lead the National League in Saves.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of bbba.work and their other members***

A big thanks goes out to our featured writer Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s post.

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