Fantasy Fallout: Jeremy Jeffress' Value Rises With Will Smith's Injury

Here are the fantasy implications following Milwaukee Brewers RP Will Smith's bizarre knee injury that's expected to force him to miss significant time:

Redraft Leagues

Since there is little guarantee a relief pitcher will appear in a given game, there is no good reason to roster Smith in DFS even when healthy. The same goes for his likely replacement, Jeremy Jeffress.

For owners who have already completed their drafts and wound up with Smith in one of their closer spots, Jeffress should be an immediate add. Conversely, those who faded relief pitching entirely may want to take a flier on Jeffress to bolster his/her roster while also creating a need on a rival's team.

For those who haven't completed drafts yet, Jeffress sees his value leap exponentially. While there is no guarantee he holds down the position for the season, saves often come from a variety of sources throughout the year. Here is the first opportunity to get early-season saves on the cheap.

Chances are, however, that he will not last until the final round or two. He'll still go later than most. His K/9 was just under 9.00 last season, so he doesn't have the best strikeout upside, but until someone usurps him or Smith comes back, he's the man.

Waiver Wire Targets

• The aforementioned Jeffress is likely to start the year with the closer's job, so he is immediately the top name to target as a source of early-season saves.

• San Diego Padres RP Kevin Quackenbush could be an interesting flier. He is one of several late inning men in good positions to tally strike outs and holds. With Fernando Rodney in the closer's role, it's bound to be a volatile beginning to the season in San Diego.

• Philadelphia Phillies RP Andrew Bailey is apparently the most likely candidate for the closer's job out of Spring Training. He is not yet available in all formats, but he should be snagged once he is. Being on a team unlikely to win many games coupled with his long injury history makes him a risk, but he could be gotten as a late flier.

• Tampa Bay Rays RP Danny Farquhar could be the interim closer until Brad Boxberger returns in mid-May. The season hasn't even started yet, and many closer roles are clear as swamp water.