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Relief Pitcher Rankings

1. J.J. Putz
2. Jonathan Papelbon
3. Joe Nathan
4. Francisco Rodriguez
5. Mariano Rivera
6. Billy Wagner

7. Takashi Saito
8. Huston Street
9. Bobby Jenks
10. Matt Capps
11. Jose Valverde
12. Rafael Soriano

13. Joakim Soria
14. Francisco Cordero
15. Manny Corpas
16. Trevor Hoffman
17. Jason Isringhausen
18. Brad Lidge
19. Chad Cordero
20. Brian Wilson

21. Kevin Gregg
22. Troy Percival
23. Carlos Marmol
24. B.J. Ryan
25. Eric Gagne
26. Brandon Lyon

27. George Sherill
28. Kerry Wood
29. Jonathan Broxton
30. Todd Jones
31. Joe Borowski
32. Jeremy Accardo
33. Rafael Betancourt
34. C.J. Wilson
35. Bob Howry
36. Tony Pena

37. Pat Neshek
38. Matt Lindstrom
39. Jon Rauch
40. Heath Bell
41. Taylor Tankersley

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22 responses to “Relief Pitcher Rankings”

  1. Tyler Durden Avatar
    Tyler Durden

    Compelling rankings. I’ve been saying it for a while and I will continue saying it — Wood will be the closer in CHI, not Marlmol. Marmol is only guy in the pen that can throw 2 inning & Cubs want him in that 7/8 inning role. Marmol has a bright futre with the Cubs, but the team wants Wood to be the closer (and to succeed in that role) given his skill set & salary. So, barring injury (which could be said about MANY closers, not just Kerry Wood), Wood will have that job.

    So, flip 23 & 28 and you have a really compelling list. Just my opinion. I might also then flip 18 ad 23, as I’d rather have the Cubs closer any day over Gagne. But now I am nitpicking.

  2. franky Avatar
    franky

    you forgot delcarmen who is going to get papelbon’s days off closing.

  3. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Tyler Durden – I hear ya with Wood v. Marmol. I almost did make that flip. I agree the staff wants Wood in the role, and I wouldn’t blame you at all for taking him earlier than Marmol. One of these years Wood is going to put together a healthy year, and in the pen may be the best way for it to happen. He could be a top-10 closer if health permits.

  4. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Good call about Delcarmen. He’s up there with the rest of the middle relievers.

  5. Tyler Durden Avatar
    Tyler Durden

    Taking another gander at 37-41, I might add Chris Perez to that list. Might even list him before Rauch, Bell or Tank. Also agree about Delcarmen.

    Thoughts on Fukamori/Kobayashi?

  6. Rick Peterson Avatar
    Rick Peterson

    Who’s the backup for Todd Jones right now? I hear he’s having arm troubles but Rodney may start the season on the dl, Zumaya’s out for a few months, who does that leave?

  7. Tyler Durden Avatar
    Tyler Durden

    That leaves the Tigers desperately looking for a RP (Fuentes).

  8. Brett Avatar
    Brett

    Love the respect given to Capps. Don’t sleep on Pirates closers as Mike Gonzalez was quite valuable when he pitched there as well.

  9. franky Avatar
    franky

    is lindstrom then tank next in line if gregg falters? because i’ve heard miller’s name as next in line too.

  10. Tyler Durden Avatar
    Tyler Durden

    Personally, I think it’s Lindstrom, period, if Gregg falters. Tank is a lefty specialist & I doubt they’d move Miller in that role.

  11. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Tyler Durden – Perez is interesting. Great potential but could really use improved command. That said, Izzy is def. someone who could break down at any minute.

    Fukamori and Kobayashi need to be monitored. I think Kobayashi will be the better pitcher, but with Betancourt in front of him as well, Fukamori might have the better opportunity to close at some point.

  12. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Rick Peterson – Jason Grilli? Bobby Seay? No clear guy there. Detroit’s pen is a major weakness. T. Jones is getting absolutely tattooed this spring. I think they have to make a trade.

  13. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Brett – Capps is legit. And bad teams getting no save opportunities is a misconception. Mariano Rivera received the fewest save ops in MLB last year.

  14. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Franky – I’m going with Lindstrom, although he hasn’t been very good this spring. Still, he can touch 100 mph and has terrific K potential. Tank was great after the break last year (both vs. righties and lefties), so he’s also in the mix. I guess Miller is too. People need to stay on top of this situation, b/c I can almost guarantee Gregg gets dealt at the deadline.

  15. franky Avatar
    franky

    why is perez backing up izzy? isn’t it franklin or even springer who despite the low K/9 got the job done last year?

  16. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    ya – Perez may very well start the year in the minors. He has the most long-term potential in St. Louis’ pen, but for now (or even this season), boring vets like Franklin/Springer are more likely to pick up saves.

  17. chad Avatar
    chad

    Yo DDD
    Well haven’t been around since football season, and as usual, i’m behind in my homework for baseball… but after my big sob story about football, i actually ended up winning that league thanks to that blizzard weekend in new england which held moss/brady to about 10pts combined….

    anyhow i digress, my first league just drafted, i was unavailable, and signed up last second so i had a pretty poor autodraft, and am now trying to do some waiver work before the season starts… in a 12 team standard yahoo roto league, what are some late bloomer gambles that might be worth holding onto for 3B or SS… made some waiver requests at RP, but we’ll see if they actually go through…

    thanks as always.

  18. franky Avatar
    franky

    regarding raffy soriano, should he be that high on lists because many are saying mike gonzalez will get to close out some games once he comes back in a couple months?

  19. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Chad – Is Yunel Escobar available? I like him a lot as a later round SS option. Maybe stash Evan Longoria at 3B? Give me some options who are available…

  20. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Franky – My only concern with R. Soriano is his own health – he’s always been injury-prone. If he stays healthy, the closer’s job is his. For one, he’s a better pitcher than M. Gonzalez. Also, Gonzalez will be coming off a major injury, so he won’t return at 100 percent. Also, he’s a lefty, so he’s probably better in a setup role. I wouldn’t worry about Soriano losing that job.

  21. Mike Gonzo Avatar
    Mike Gonzo

    Mike Gonzalez, owner of the lowest ERA of any active pitcher. Look it up.

  22. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    I wasn’t calling Mike Gonzalez a bad pitcher. In fact, I think he’s very good. Extremely tough to hit. However, in only one season of his career was his WHIP less than 1.32 – that’s allowing too many baserunners. Walks too many guys.

    Mainly I just worry about him coming back off that injury and R. Soriano is an elite pitcher. Gonzo should be one of the very best setup guys in the league when he’s back healthy. And Soriano could easily break down too, leading to save opps for him.

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