Kansas City Royals left-handed reliever William Smith was brought in for the ninth inning on Friday night with the club holding a 2-1 lead over the visiting Chicago White Sox, but the veteran southpaw was pulled after allowing a hit and walking one in favor of James McArthur, who ended up picking up his first save. Smith did pick up a strikeout and the hold, but it's not a good sign that manager Matt Quatraro gave him the quick hook after he allowed a double and a walk after his strikeout. The 34-year-old wasn't a high-end fantasy baseball closer to begin with, but Smith might already be losing his hold on the closer gig in Kansas City after the first week. Smith already has allowed six earned runs in three innings with a blown save and two losses, so fantasy managers scrounging for saves in the early going should consider picking McArthur up off the waiver wire.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith are finalizing a 10-year, $140 million contract extension. The 28-year-old has been one of the most productive offensive catchers since entering the big leagues in the 2019 season, putting together a career .263 average with 91 home runs and an .842 OPS across 486 games played. Most recently, he hit .261 with 19 home runs, 80 runs, 76 RBI, and a .797 OPS across 554 trips to the plate in the 2023 season. ATC projects Smith to club 21 home runs along with 74 RBI and an .823 OPS in 124 games in the 2024 season as he is every bit worthy of his 80.46 ADP as the fourth catcher off the draft board this spring.

At the moment, Kansas City Royals left-hander William Smith is the team's leading candidate to open the 2024 season as the closer after they signed him to a one-year, $5 million contract early in free agency. Smith, who turns 35 years old in July, has won three straight World Series titles with three different teams. He went 22-for-27 in save chances last year with an expected ERA of 3.35 well below his actual 4.40 ERA. If the Royals trade for a closer or land one in free agency, they could shift the veteran Smith to more of a setup role, thus strengthening the back end of their bullpen. Smith will have fantasy appeal as a closing option if the Royals don't upgrade, but save chances could be few and far between for the rebuilding Royals.

The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a contract with relief pitcher William Smith. The two sides have agreed on a one-year, $5 million deal for the 2024 campaign. The veteran southpaw began his career with the Royals back in 2012. Last season, Smith began the year as the closer with the Texas Rangers. However, he fell out of the role and became more of a late-inning option. He finished the season with a 4.04 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 22 saves, and a 55/17 K/BB ratio across 57 1/3 innings. Smith should be in the mix for the saves with the Royals not having a solidified closer. Fantasy managers will have to wait until Spring Training to see what the Royals plan to do with Smith in the bullpen.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher William Smith allowed the game-winning hit in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins during his inning of work when he came in with the bases loaded and no outs. Smith allowed a two-run home run to catcher Ryan Jeffers and didn't walk or strike out a batter. Josh Sborz was charged with the blown save and the loss. It was a lot to ask of the 34-year-old southpaw to wiggle out of that jam on the road. Still, it's the sixth time in Smith's last eight outings out of the bullpen that he's allowed a run. Given Smith's recent struggles, the Rangers could decide to make the move to Aroldis Chapman for some upcoming save situations, so stay tuned. Smith now has a 4.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 22 saves and 45 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings for Texas in 2023.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher William Smith had another rough outing in Monday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Diamondbacks. Smith came in to pitch the bottom of the 11th inning up by two with an automatic runner on second. He got the first two outs on a flyout and pop-out, allowed an intentional walk and an RBI double, and finally allowed a two-RBI double to end the game. The veteran had pitched well as the team's closer for most of the season but has now allowed runs in five of his nine August appearances, including consecutive three-run outings. Aroldis Chapman saw the save opportunity in this game but blew it, so Smith may be receiving a shorter leash in the near future. He has held the lead in the closer's role over Chapman to this point, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on the situation in the coming days.

Texas Rangers left-handed pitcher William Smith blew the save and took the loss on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit in two-thirds of an inning. Smith gave up a walk-off two-run homer to Patrick Bailey with two outs in the tenth. Meanwhile, Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth inning. While this could become a competition for the closer role, Smith has been solid enough this year that the Rangers' could decide not the mess with things. Before today, his last blown save was on July 3, and he has only blown three this season. Still, holding onto Chapman in leagues where saves are important is a good idea.

Texas Rangers left-handed pitcher William Smith notched his 19th save of the season on Thursday in a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox. Smith allowed just a base hit while striking out a pair in his inning of work. The 34-year-old veteran is having a vintage season, pitching to a 2.70 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with a 42:8 K:BB ratio in 40 IP. It looked like Aroldis Chapman was coming for his job when the Rangers acquired him last month, but Smith has all but one of the Rangers saves since and looks to be firmly ahead of Chapman on the depth chart. He should be rostered in all formats as the closer of a top-five squad.

Texas Rangers southpaw William Smith picked up his 18th save of the season on Tuesday when his club defeated the Chicago White Sox 2-0. He threw a perfect ninth inning while striking out one, bringing his stat line to a 2.77 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 27.4% strikeout rate across 39 innings of work. After the Rangers acquired fellow lefty Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals, there were questions about who would get the ninth-inning role. However, Smith has recorded four saves, while Chapman has just one since the deal was made. Fantasy owners should hold onto the 34-year-old veteran as he remains the closer on a top team in all of baseball.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher William Smith picked up his 17th save of the season in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Rays. The veteran came in to pitch the top of the ninth up by two and turned in a 1-2-3 inning with no strikeouts. Smith has served as the team's closer for a good part of the season, although manager Bruce Bochy said that he would start sharing closing duties with newly-acquired Aroldis Chapman. Smith has pitched well this season, converting all but two save opportunities with a 2.75 ERA and 9.50 K/9 rate. Even if he does end up splitting time with Chapman, both players are worth a roster spot given how well the Rangers have played.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is not part of Thursday's lineup versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. It seems to be a day of maintenance for the 28-year-old. Austin Barnes sets up behind the plate to catch Julio Urias and bat ninth for this one. Smith is hitting .272 with 42 runs scored, 12 home runs, 42 RBI, and one stolen base over 224 at-bats this season. Expect the slugging backstop to return to action for a two-game Freeway Series with the Los Angeles Angels starting on Friday.

Texas Rangers southpaw William Smith came into the ninth inning with an 11-10 lead over the Houston Astros. However, he gave up a pair of runs on three hits without any walks or strikeouts, blowing his second save of the season and taking the loss. Smith now owns a 3.19 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 27.7% strikeout rate with 14 saves over 31 innings. After the trade for Aroldis Chapman, the 33-year-old veteran has a bit more competition for ninth-inning duties, but fantasy managers should expect him to remain the closer for now.

Texas Rangers closer William Smith picked up his 13th save of the season in Monday's 5-2 win over the White Sox. Smith came in to pitch the ninth inning up by three. He allowed a leadoff walk followed by a single, got the first two outs on a strikeout and a lineout, allowed the runners to advance on a wild pitch, and ended the game with a groundout. The veteran has done well since stepping into the closer's role and has now converted all but one of his save opportunities with a 2.89 ERA, a 9.96 K/9 rate, and a 2.57 BB/9 rate. Smith has been a useful fantasy closer before and should continue to be one this season on one of baseball's best teams.

Texas Rangers reliever William Smith recorded his 10th save of the season on Friday, closing out the 2-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. The lefty threw a perfect ninth inning, striking out one. The outing brought Smith's numbers to an impressive 3.15 ERA and 0.90 WHIP, and he's punched out 24 batters across 20 innings. He's the only Ranger with multiple saves in 2023, and fantasy managers should expect him to hold down the closer role for the remainder of the season.

Texas Rangers closer William Smith picked up his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Braves. Smith came in to pitch the top of the ninth up by three and delivered a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout to end the game. The veteran has pitched well since being named the team's closer at the beginning of May and has converted all but one save opportunity with a 2.93 ERA and 11.15 K/9 rate. The Rangers have been one of baseball's best teams and Smith has plenty of closing experience throughout his career, making him a solid fantasy option in all leagues.

Texas Rangers left-handed pitcher Will Smith earned his seventh save of the season on Thursday by holding down a 4-0 lead over the Oakland Athletics. The Rangers tried to let Nathan Eovaldi finish off a complete game shutout, but after a couple of two-out baserunners, they decided to turn to Smith. He promptly struck out Brent Rooker to end the game. Besides a blow up against the Angels last week, Smith has looked excellent out of the Rangers pen this season. He owns a 3.14 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 14 IP. He has also converted seven of eight save chances and seems to have firmly grasped the Rangers' closer role.

Texas Rangers closer Will Smith picked up his sixth save of the season after throwing a scoreless ninth inning to close out the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Wednesday. Smith struck out two batters and got AJ Pollock to ground out to third baseman Josh Jung to seal the game. The 33-year-old has converted 6/7 saves this season and displays a 3.21 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He has struck out 17 batters while walking just five. Smith is posting a 28.3% K rate, a 9.4% walk rate, and a .281 opponent BAPIP. The Rangers signed the southpaw over the offseason to a one-year, $1.5 million deal in hopes to bolster their bullpen and employ a true closer. Smith is rostered just 55%, and fantasy managers should look out for Smith on the waiver wire if he's still available.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is out of the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 28-year-old will get a much-needed rest day after catching six times and serving as the designated hitter three times since returning from injury on April 29. Smith has been hot at the plate, slashing .306/.411/.556 with four home runs and 16 RBI early in the season. Austin Barnes will be behind the plate and bat ninth versus right-hander Freddy Peralta on Monday.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher William Smith will receive the majority of save opportunities going forward, per manager Bruce Bochy on Wednesday. The 33-year-old has officially usurped Jose Leclerc as the reliever to roster in fantasy for those seeking help in the saves category. This doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Smith has already logged four saves as opposed to Leclerc attaining just one. Smith has performed very well to start 2023, registering a strong 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 10.2 innings of play. This is the last call to pick up the southpaw in fantasy leagues, as his ownership percentage is likely to shoot up overnight.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Will Smith notched his fourth save of the season in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Smith entered to pitch in the top of the eighth up by two with two outs and a runner on first. He ended the half with a strikeout and stayed in to pitch the ninth. He allowed a leadoff single, got the first out on a flyout, allowed a walk, and got the final two outs on flyouts. The veteran has now converted all of his save opportunities with a 1.69 ERA. Jose Leclerc is still potentially a late-inning option for the Rangers, but it seems like Smith is the arm to roster in fantasy leagues at this time, given his success and history of closing.