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Last and finally not least we have the Relief Pitching ranks. To catch you up on all the links for all positions, please check out all the AL/NL only ranking links.
Previous Mixed league versions of Relief Pitching ranks, with fancy write-ups.
AL ONLY RELIEF PITCHERS:
1. Mariano Rivera, NYY
2. Jose Valverde, DET
3. Andrew Bailey, BOS
4. Sergio Santos, TOR
5. Joakim Soria, KC
Might as well jump, or at least continue reading after it.
6. Joe Nathan. TEX
7. Brandon League, SEA
8. Chris Perez, CLE
9. Jordan Walden, ANA
10. Matt Capps, MIN
11. Addison Reed, CHW
12. Kyle Farnsworth, TB
13. Jim Johnson, BAL
14 Vinnie Pestano, CLE
15. Grant Balfour, OAK
16. David Robertson, NYY
17. Mike Adams, TEX
18. Jonathan Broxton, KC
19. Matt Thornton, CHW
20. Joaquin Benoit, DET
21. Joel Peralta, TB
22. Greg Holland, KC
23. Scott Downs, ANA
24. Alexi Ogando, TEX
25. Francisco Cordero,TOR
The AL is a muddled up mess in best opinion. After the first 4 pitchers listed, each one has a caveat next to them. Whether it be decent replacement behind them, rumored to be a trade candidate or someone that we just don't trust to last the whole season as the closer. Some afterthoughts:
- The unknown starts with Soria, he has 2 viable suitors behind him in Broxton and Holland. I think he stays there all season, Broxton isn't the healthiest specimen and Holland while effective is young and I can see him grabbing this role next season.
- Addison Reed is pretty much flat out dominant. I know, rookie closer on a mediocre team are things to usually steer clear of, but from personally viewing experience i think he will be a top 3-4 candidate in the AL next year if all goes to plan.
- I will own Vinnie Pestano on every team I own this year, book it. Given that he is a deep end of the draft guy, will give you great periphs and a decent amount of K's. Plus I think he steals the job due to Perez's ineffectiveness. 15 saves and 15 holds. That's the 30/30 of pitching.
- Situations to avoid start in Oak, I listed Balfour as the closer on here. That can change in an instance and its probably only beneficial for your roster if you have an extended bench. With names like Fauntino De Los Santos, Joey Devine, and Brian Fuentes all being bantered around. It looks like a situation to avoid for now and to take advantage of via waivers. Also avoid Baltimore's situation unless forced.
NL ONLY RELIEF PITCHERS:
1. Craig Kimbrel, ATL
2. Jon Axford, MIL
3. Jonathon Papelbon, PHI
4. Drew Storen, WAS
5. Ryan Madson, CIN
6. Brian Wilson, SF
7. Heath Bell, MIA
8. J.J. Putz, ARI
9. Joel Hanrahan, PIT
10. Carlos Marmol, CHC
11. Rafael Betancourt, COL
12. Jason Motte, STL
13. Huston Street, SD
14. Frank Francisco, NYM
15. Javy Guerra, LAD
16. Kenley Jansen, LAD
17. Johnny Venters, ATL
18. Francisco Rodriguez, MIL
19. Tyler Clippard, WAS
20. David Hernandez, ARI
21. Juan Abreu, HOU
22. Sergio Romo, SF
23. Rex Brothers, COL
24. Sean Marshall, CIN
25. Ernesto Frieri, SD
I could have listed to 50 that's how much I love the NL relief pitching ranks. For obvious depth reasons, league averages for relievers are better as a whole in NL. I wont argue with anyone if they wanted to change any rankings between 5-13. From a draft standpoint, the depth is there. With lots of viable resources to get later in the draft as compared to the AL which has a lot of question marks. Some afterthoughts:
- I'm not a fan of Huston Street here, there are so many options in NL. I don't thinking running out and buying the shiny new toy theory in SD is the right play here. Deep bullpen with a lot of quality, Gregerson, Frieri, and Cashner all shore up the back of the bullpen.
- The Dodgers closer situation is cloudy. Guerra pitched well to end the year and Jansen has the ability. It's way too early to call right now, but if your drafting one you should draft the other.
- Like Oakland in the AL, Houston is the team with the avoid badge here. Let's be honest how many games are they really going to win anyways, add in the ones that are actually save situations. Yea it's not many. Names Like Abreu, Wilton Lopez, Brandon Lyon and David Carpenter are all option in play here.
- From a quality middle relief standpoint you cant go wrong with the NL. Lot's of names I left of that will contribute to stellar peripheral numbers. I will be following this post up with a holds/middle reliever list for all you holds league guys/gals.