Marlins Brad Ziegler: Locking down the closer role

After trading closer AJ Ramos to the Mets, the Marlins needed a replacement. Brad Ziegler has stepped up and is worth adding for the final weeks.

The Miami Marlins could be big sellers in the offseason but the sale began at the trade deadline. The team shipped then-closer AJ Ramos to New York to pitch for the Mets. This created an opening in the Marlins bullpen. Brad Ziegler took over the role and is worth adding to end the season.

Ziegler had a 0.71 ERA at the end of April. It ballooned up to 6.65 at the end of May. Things were looking good but allowing five runs in his final two appearances of June kept his ERA at 6.52.

Ziegler did not pitch from June 20 until July 30. He returned to the mound on August 1, pitching in the ninth inning after Ramos was traded. He recorded a save while allowing two hits.

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Since that date, Ziegler has eight saves, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and four strikeouts in 10.0 innings. He hasn’t been a big strikeout pitcher, career 6.0 K/9 and walks a significant amount, 3.3 BB/9.

There have been other closers, like Brandon Kintzler with the Twins, that have low strikeout and high walk ratios but are still worth owning in fantasy leagues.

If you need help in your ratio stats or looking for a few saves to close out the season, Ziegler is someone to target. The Marlins offense is doing well this month.

They are eighth in runs scored and 13th in batting average. As long as the starting rotation can maintain the lead, Ziegler will get a lot of opportunities.

The market for closers in fantasy leagues is going to skyrocket. Andrew Miller and Trevor Rosenthal are on the DL, Zach Britton is listed day-to-day. Teams are also loading up on relievers, taking them out of the closer role, like Brandon Maurer to Kansas City or Kintzler, Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle.

Owners are now adding the next man up, Brad Hand, Matt Belisle and Blake Treinen for those respective teams. Ziegler is in the same situation, but he’s not owned in enough leagues.

Next: Jackie Bradley Jr. down with an injury

Ziegler is available in 81 percent of ESPN leagues. He’s been added in 10.5 percent of leagues over the last week. His eight saves are second-most so far this month. He needs to be added now.