Angels Andrew Bailey: More Saves for the Fantasy Playoffs

The Angels named Andrew Bailey the new closer after trading Fernando Salas. He’s 2-for-2 so far and is worth adding to your playoff roster.

The Los Angeles Angels’ bullpen has been in a state of flux throughout the 2016 season. There are five different relief pitchers that have at least one save. For the final month, though, I think they found their closer. Newly acquired Andrew Bailey has two saves in September and is worth adding in deeper leagues.

Bailey spent the first part of 2016 with the Philadelphia Phillies, but missed a lot of time with injury. The team sent him down to the minors before releasing him. The Angels then signed him to a minor-league deal and began in Triple-A. He didn’t last long as he was called up on Sept. 2. He pitched well in the minors, 2.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 in 32.1 innings.

By this time, the Angels traded then-closer Fernando Salas to the New York Mets. This left a gap in the Angels bullpen. While the bullpen as a whole has not been good this season, adding Bailey couldn’t do much worse. 

More from Fantasy Baseball

• 5 fantasy baseball waiver wire pivots to replace Triston McKenzie
• Fantasy baseball mock draft 2023, 12-team: Aaron Judge over Trea Turner?
• 3 fantasy baseball sleepers being drafted too late
• NBA DFS picks December 25: Merry Bucking Christmas
• Fantasy Baseball: Hot pitchers worthy of starting this weekend

Bailey does have closer experience, racking up 75 saves in 157 games with the Oakland Athletics. In his short time with the Angels, Bailey has two saves with three strikeouts and one walk in three innings. The only downside is that he hasn’t pitched since Sept. 5. The Angels aren’t playing for much this season, so the save opportunities may be few and far between.

If the Angels offense can continue to hit, with the likes of Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron in the heart of the order, and the starting pitchers can hold the lead into the seventh inning, Bailey will have enough save chances to be worth adding.

Next: Brian Dozier Worth a High Pick in 2017?

Fantasy owners still in the playoffs are looking for any advantage they can get. Bailey’s been added in 13.4 percent of ESPN leagues over the last week. Whether it’s five or two saves in the week, any bit can help lead you to a fantasy championship.