Devin Williams, the New York Yankees' new closer, entered the 2025 season as a highly valued fantasy asset thanks to his 1.83 career ERA and elite strikeout rate. After a stellar performance late last season with the Milwaukee Brewers, expectations were high for his role in New York. However, just weeks into the season, Williams has found himself among the most dropped closers on ESPN leagues following a series of inconsistent outings. A particularly troubling game against the Tampa Bay Rays saw him blow a four-run lead, raising concerns despite an underlying .423 BABIP indicating he’s been unlucky. Fantasy managers are urged to stay the course, as his performance should normalize.

Meanwhile, other closers like Jeff Hoffman of the Toronto Blue Jays and Kyle Finnegan of the Washington Nationals have seen their stock rise, with Hoffman perfect in save opportunities and Finnegan accumulating saves despite mediocre strikeout rates. Justin Martinez of the Arizona Diamondbacks is set to benefit from an increased role following the injury of A.J. Puk, while Jose Alvarado of the Phillies has stepped up as a reliable closer. Conversely, Baltimore's Felix Bautista is struggling and may need time to regain his pre-surgery form, prompting patience from fantasy owners.

As the 2025 MLB season kicks off, several teams are facing unique closing situations that fantasy managers need to monitor. The Baltimore Orioles have yet to secure a save opportunity, primarily due to Félix Bautista's performance, which shows decreased velocity and poor metrics. The Chicago Cubs' Ryan Pressly has the role but his alarming strikeout rate may lead to a change.

Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox are in a save committee with no standout options. The Cincinnati Reds' Emilio Pagán is up for saves, but with Hunter Greene's potential return, changes could be imminent. The Los Angeles Dodgers have a fluid closing situation with Tanner Scott favored, but the matchup-dependent nature of this role complicates matters. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on the Miami Marlins' Anthony Bender, who is emerging as a reliable option, while the Philadelphia Phillies' Jordan Romano and José Alvarado could shape a competitive endgame.

Heading into Week 2 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season, several high-profile players are underperforming, raising questions about whether to drop, hold, or sell them. Key players like Yainer Diaz and Ronel Blanco from the Houston Astros are struggling significantly. Diaz, a promising catcher, has a meager .077 batting average, while Blanco's ERA is high after shaky outings. The Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero and the Baltimore Orioles’ Felix Bautista also face scrutiny; Caminero has shown potential despite a slow start, while Bautista is working his way back from injury. Austin Riley from the Atlanta Braves, known for his slow starts, still holds promise given his past performance. The consensus among experts is to exercise patience with these players, as early-season struggles can often be misleading.

In this year's fantasy auction, a mixed league keeper format created a competitive landscape for pitching staff selection. The primary focus was on acquiring high-upside arms to build a formidable rotation.

Kodai Senga emerged as the SP1, showcasing his top-of-the-rotation potential with a remarkable changeup. Dylan Cease, known for his explosive strikeout ability, was selected as SP2 despite past inconsistencies. Young talents like MacKenzie Gore and Bryan Woo were added for their impressive strikeout capabilities, while Kevin Gausman and Yu Darvish brought veteran experience despite injury concerns.

The bullpen was reinforced with Andres Munoz poised to seize closer duties after a trade opened up opportunities, while Felix Bautista and Liam Hendriks were selected for their closing potential, albeit with some health concerns. Bench options like Miles Mikolas and Tomoyuki Sugano add depth, making this pitching staff one to watch.