MLB Reliever of the Year Odds 2025: Favorites & Predictions

The 2024 MLB Reliever of the Year awards were given to the top closers in both leagues.

Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians led the American League with 47 saves to claim the honor. At the same time, St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley won the award in the National League after pacing the majors with 49 saves.

Since MLB’s Reliever of the Year awards were introduced in 2014, 17 of the 22 winners have ranked in the top three in their respective leagues in saves. Nine different winners have led the AL or NL in saves.

A Reliever of the Year winner hasn’t recorded an ERA worse than 2.62, with 20 of the previous recipients posting a 2.43 ERA or better.

In addition, Helsley became just the third Reliever of the Year to play on a team that didn’t make the playoffs.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest MLB odds and my predictions for this year’s Reliever of the Year market:

AL Reliever of the Year Odds 2025: Favorites

Athletics closer Mason Miller has surpassed Clase as the favorite for AL Reliever of the Year, with odds of +200 implying a probability of 33.33%.

This may appear to be an overreaction after just one week, but there were valid reasons to be concerned about Clase’s status as the favorite in this market entering the year.

Clase appeared in 226 games over the past three seasons, leading the AL in saves each year. Sustaining that level of dominance as a reliever is challenging, which is why his struggles last postseason (eight earned runs in 14 innings) were significant.

Assuming Clase is mortal this year, Miller has a strong case for being the best reliever in the AL. He’s one of the hardest throwers in MLB, averaging 100.9 mph on his four-seam fastball and 102.1 mph on his sinker last year.

However, winning this award with a non-playoff team is challenging. That’s why I continue to pay attention to Félix Bautista’s odds in this market, despite his slow start after missing last year due to Tommy John surgery.

Bautista was named the AL Reliever of the Year in 2023, finishing with 33 saves and a 1.48 ERA for a Baltimore team that achieved 101 wins.

The Orioles might be careful with Bautista early in the season, but they must rely on their bullpen to bolster a lackluster rotation if they hope to win the AL East.

Prediction: Félix Bautista (+1600)

NL Reliever of the Year Odds 2025: Favorites

There was also a shift at the top of the NL Reliever of the Year market, as Helsley emerged as the betting favorite (+350) after New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz started the year as the preseason front-runner.

After winning this award last summer, Helsley is off to a strong start, and the Cardinals have performed better than many anticipated. However, I still expect St. Louis to be sellers at the trade deadline, suggesting this race could be completely open.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Justin Martinez was the reliever I backed in the preseason when his odds were as long as 20/1 in this market and 40/1 to be MLB’s saves leader.

I don’t believe he will lead the majors in saves, mainly because the Diamondbacks are satisfied with using a closer-by-committee approach with him and A.J. Puk. Nevertheless, Martinez has some of the best stuff in baseball.

Martinez recorded eight saves and a 2.48 ERA during his rookie season in 2024, averaging 100.3 mph with his fastball. The Diamondbacks trusted his potential enough to grant him a five-year, $18 million extension in late March.

Martinez is Arizona’s closer of the future, but it might not solely be his job this season. However, he could still win this award with a low ERA and several saves on a playoff team.

That’s the route I’m relying on.

Prediction: Justin Martinez (+500)

List of AL & NL Reliever of the Year Winners

Which Player has Won the Most Reliever of the Year Awards?

Josh Hader has won the most Reliever of the Year awards with three, claiming the honor in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Which Team has Won the Most Reliever of the Year Awards?

The Milwaukee Brewers lead all MLB teams with five Reliever of the Year awards, with four straight between 2018-2021 and one in 2023.

When was the Reliever of the Year Award Introduced in MLB?

Major League Baseball introduced the Reliever of the Year award for both leagues in 2014. Kansas City Royals closer Greg Holland won the award in the AL, while Craig Kimbrel claimed the honor for the Atlanta Braves in the NL.

Who is the AL Reliever of the Year Award Named After?

The American League Reliever of the Year award is named after Mariano Rivera, who is MLB’s all-time saves leader with 652. He spent all 19 years of his career with the New York Yankees.

Who is the NL Reliever of the Year Award Named After?

The National League Reliever of the Year award is named after Trevor Hoffman, who is the NL’s all-time saves leader with 601. He played 18 seasons, including 16 with the San Diego Padres.