Dynasty/Keeper Relief Pitcher Buys Heading Into 2026

I suppose you could call this a buy week at the Dynasty Dugout. No, we are not taking a bye week; instead, we are giving you all the players to buy or pick up before the season ends.

This article series will feature some MLB pitchers that may be worth buying low on. Today, we talk about four relief pitchers who may be worth buying now. Maybe it is an injured player. Perhaps it was just someone who struggled and saw their stock fall, but still has things under the hood to like. All players can buy now!

Starting Pitchers to Buy or Stash for 2026

Jose Ferrer, LHP, Washington Nationals

Ferrer was a popular pick for me for cheap saves this spring, and it really did not pan out at first as the team went with Kyle Finnegan in the closer role. After being DFA’d but staying with the Nationals, and then being traded to the Tigers at the deadline, Ferrer stepped into the role.

Recording his first save of the season on August 9, Ferrer has not looked back and has allowed just two total earned runs across 15.2 innings and has nine saves. While he has not stood out with his strikeout total, having just a 22.6 percent strikeout rate, Ferrer has walked just 4.8 percent of batters.

The lefty has been solid all year, but has really taken it up a notch since stepping into the closer role. Interestingly enough, Ferrer has actually upped his sinker usage and has used it nearly 70 percent of the time between August and September. This effectively kills his ability to get any strikeouts, but the sinker is also the reason he keeps the ball on the ground at a rate of 62.5 percent.

The slider and changeup have both missed a ton of bats, and I would really love to see Ferrer use those pitches more often moving forward, especially if he is in the closer role. The changeup has been used just 22 percent of the time, and it has a 46 percent whiff rate. The slider has a 51 percent whiff rate and has been used just 7.5 percent of the time.

Ferrer feels like a strong bet to be the Nationals’ closer moving forward.

Cade Smith, RHP, Cleveland Guardians

Smith has been an elite bullpen arm for the last two years, but pitched out of the bullpen behind Emmanuel Clase until he was suspended. Since taking over for Clase on July 30, Smith has a 2.78 ERA across 22.2 innings, but has a stellar 1.38 FIP and 2.09 xFIP. Smith has struck out 31 batters and walked just two, good for a 33.3 percent strikeout minus walk rate.

Few pitchers can boast that all of their pitches have a whiff rate above 30 percent, but Smith does. The fastball grades out well and has a 31.5 percent whiff rate against while sitting 96-97 mph. Smith’s splitter is borderline elite, having a 125 Stuff+ since taking over the closer role. Working in the upper-80s, Smith’s splitter has a 37 percent whiff rate against.

Smith rounds out his arsenal with a sweeper, but he uses it just nine percent of the time, primarily against righties. It works around 85 mph with 13 inches of sweep and has a 42.2 percent whiff rate on the year.

Given that Smith has four more years of team control, he should be Cleveland’s closer for the foreseeable future.

Jordan Leasure, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Leasure grabbed a couple of rogue saves early in the year and was pretty solid overall, having a 3.75 ERA and a 3.49 SIERA with a near 30 percent strikeout rate. Since assuming the closer role in late July, Leasure has been highly impressive. Though he has just five saves, three of those have come since the start of September, and Leasure has just a 1.80 ERA over those 20 innings.

Grabbing two wins and three holds, Leasure has been a key piece of the White Sox bullpen. The strikeouts have also ticked up a ton, and Leasure has a 38.4 percent strikeout rate to just an 8.2 percent walk rate. Ditching his splitter in August, Leasure has thrown nothing but four-seam fastballs and sliders and has been highly effective.

The four-seam has strong traits, working 96-97 mph, with 19-20 inches of IVB. It has missed bats at a strong 26 percent clip. Leasure’s slider has a whiff rate north of 40 percent, working 87-88 mph with good depth and 6-7 inches of sweep.

Abner Uribe, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Uribe had plenty of buzz after his strong 2023 debut, but really laid an egg in 2024. Returning this year, Uribe had been stellar across 69.1 innings, posting a 1.82 ERA with a 30 percent strikeout rate. When Trevor Megill went down with an elbow flexor strain, Uribe stepped into the closer role and nabbed three saves and a win over the last three weeks. Sure, you would love to see more saves, but with how good this Brewers team has been, there have not been many save opportunities.

Sure, Megill is working on a rest and rehab option, but things have not gone well to this point, and he recently had a setback. Usually, when players have the injury that Megill does, it ends with Tommy John. Megill could be in the minority that comes back next year and be fine. But I feel like there’s a better chance than not that Uribe is the Brewers closer entering 2026.

Uribe has gotten better as the year has gone on. Coming out of the All-Star break, Uribe has allowed two total earned runs in 23 innings. That is good for an impressive 0.78 ERA and a 2.89 FIP.

Primarily using a sinker and slider, Uribe’s fastball works 99 mph and has a 20 percent whiff rate while keeping the ball on the ground at a 65 percent clip. The slider is elite, though, grading out with a 130 Stuff+ and having a 47 percent whiff rate on the offering.

There is plenty to like with Uribe, who just turned 25 years old. If I were guessing, Uribe will have the closer role entering 2026, as I just don’t believe Megill is going to be healthy and could need surgery. Uribe is a solid investment for me this offseason.