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Something I frequently do is take all starters over 130 innings, and see who is in the top third strikeout rate, walk rate, and ground ball rate. Being good at one of these, gives the pitcher something to lean on to help them avoid blow ups. Everyone has experienced it, the starter who once a month goes 2ip, 6 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 9H, 4 BB. They destroy the rest of your team's work, and you sit hoping your opponents will suffer through the same thing.
About a week ago, I wrote an article about relievers, and a commenter named Myrke asked why I was so adamantly against drafting "ace relievers". It's really just a philosophy, but I firmly believe it, they don't return as much value as the other players you can draft at the same time. What's more likely a reliever taken 80th overall becomes a top 10 player, or an outfielder taken 80th over all becomes a top 10 player, or the inverse, who is more likely to lose their job and be the #2000 player on the player rater? To me the answer on who to invest in is clear.
So this weekend, I searched through relievers with qualified innings (I have no idea what that means, but it appears to be around 48+ innings this year). There was a total of 137 relievers that qualified, and the results of seeing who was in the top group left me surprised.
What was interesting is that with starters, the guys who are in the top third of K/9, BB/9, and GB%, are all considered good at that aspect of pitching, the more of those above categories that you are good in, the more likely you are to safely be a net positive outing to outing, being consistently good is more valuable than being elite once in a while. The pitchers who are in the top thrid essentially do everything they can to not ruin their starts. Even if every start isn't something to write home about their lack of implosions, is what makes them so valuable. With relievers the top group, the releivers who were in the top third of K/9, BB/9, and GB% only consisted of 3 relievers! Those guys were studs last year, but here is the breakdown from group to group.
Tier 1:
|
Name |
Team |
IP |
K/9 |
BB/9 |
LOB% |
GB% |
ERA |
FIP |
xFIP |
WAR |
|
Zach Britton |
65.2 |
10.83 |
1.92 |
80.90% |
79.10% |
1.92 |
2.01 |
1.75 |
2.1 |
|
|
Jeurys Familia |
78 |
9.92 |
2.19 |
89.40% |
58.30% |
1.85 |
2.74 |
2.55 |
1.6 |
|
|
Brett Cecil |
54.1 |
11.6 |
2.15 |
76.50% |
51.60% |
2.48 |
2.34 |
2.39 |
1.4 |
Two of the best closers in baseball, and a closer who lost his job here... These players were out machines, dominating in all aspects. The fact that there are only 3 arms who managed to be amongst the top 45 (third) of those three stats shows why many of these guys are failed starters. They lack the characteristics to be well rounded, and typically rely on one dominating offering. When you go down to the 2 category group, the players start piling up.
Tier 2:
|
Name |
Team |
IP |
K/9 |
BB/9 |
LOB% |
GB% |
ERA |
FIP |
xFIP |
WAR |
CAT |
|
Carson Smith |
70 |
11.83 |
2.83 |
78.50% |
64.80% |
2.31 |
2.12 |
2.36 |
2.1 |
2 |
|
|
Darren O'Day |
Orioles |
65.1 |
11.3 |
1.93 |
89.80% |
35.10% |
1.52 |
2.49 |
3.05 |
1.8 |
2 |
|
David Robertson |
63.1 |
12.22 |
1.85 |
65.70% |
35.60% |
3.41 |
2.52 |
2.27 |
1.8 |
2 |
|
|
Sergio Romo |
57.1 |
11.15 |
1.57 |
72.70% |
44.80% |
2.98 |
1.91 |
2.42 |
1.8 |
2 |
|
|
Kenley Jansen |
52.1 |
13.76 |
1.38 |
83.80% |
35.20% |
2.41 |
2.14 |
2.29 |
1.7 |
2 |
|
|
Hector Rondon |
70 |
8.87 |
1.93 |
80.10% |
52.40% |
1.67 |
2.68 |
3.03 |
1.6 |
2 |
|
|
Mark Melancon |
76.2 |
7.28 |
1.64 |
75.70% |
57.50% |
2.23 |
2.82 |
3.07 |
1.5 |
2 |
|
|
Keone Kela |
60.1 |
10.14 |
2.69 |
80.80% |
50.60% |
2.39 |
2.64 |
2.88 |
1.5 |
2 |
|
|
Luke Gregerson |
61 |
8.7 |
1.48 |
67.90% |
60.40% |
3.1 |
2.86 |
2.71 |
1.2 |
2 |
|
|
Mark Lowe |
- - - |
55 |
9.98 |
1.96 |
82.40% |
40.30% |
1.96 |
2.57 |
2.83 |
1.2 |
2 |
|
Sam Dyson |
- - - |
75.1 |
8.48 |
2.51 |
75.80% |
68.80% |
2.63 |
2.94 |
2.83 |
1.1 |
2 |
|
Pedro Strop |
Cubs |
68 |
10.72 |
3.84 |
73.90% |
51.30% |
2.91 |
3.16 |
3.16 |
1.1 |
2 |
|
Pedro Baez |
Dodgers |
51 |
10.59 |
1.94 |
69.30% |
37.60% |
3.35 |
2.51 |
3.17 |
1.1 |
2 |
|
Tony Sipp |
Astros |
54.1 |
10.27 |
2.48 |
88.00% |
38.80% |
1.99 |
2.93 |
3.34 |
1 |
2 |
|
Ryan Madson |
63.1 |
8.24 |
1.99 |
82.10% |
55.00% |
2.13 |
3.09 |
3.32 |
0.9 |
2 |
|
|
Joe Blanton |
- - - |
57.1 |
9.73 |
1.88 |
83.00% |
48.40% |
2.04 |
2.56 |
2.84 |
0.9 |
2 |
|
Yimi Garcia |
Dodgers |
54.2 |
10.87 |
1.65 |
73.50% |
27.20% |
3.13 |
3.04 |
3.43 |
0.9 |
2 |
|
Jeanmar Gomez |
74.2 |
6.03 |
2.05 |
76.50% |
48.80% |
3.01 |
3.25 |
3.98 |
0.7 |
2 |
|
|
Fernando Salas |
63.2 |
10.46 |
1.7 |
64.80% |
35.10% |
4.24 |
3.15 |
3.23 |
0.7 |
2 |
|
|
Brad Ziegler |
68 |
4.76 |
2.25 |
79.30% |
72.80% |
1.85 |
3.44 |
3.48 |
0.6 |
2 |
|
|
Alex Wilson |
67 |
4.97 |
1.34 |
81.80% |
50.20% |
2.28 |
3.54 |
4.17 |
0.6 |
2 |
|
|
John Axford |
55.2 |
10.02 |
5.17 |
74.00% |
56.10% |
4.2 |
3.57 |
3.74 |
0.6 |
2 |
|
|
Chad Qualls |
Astros |
49.1 |
8.39 |
1.64 |
67.90% |
59.90% |
4.38 |
3.52 |
2.99 |
0.5 |
2 |
|
Jonathan Papelbon |
- - - |
63.1 |
7.96 |
1.71 |
80.40% |
49.70% |
2.13 |
3.7 |
3.71 |
0.4 |
2 |
|
Franklin Morales |
Royals |
62.1 |
5.92 |
2.02 |
73.90% |
49.50% |
3.18 |
3.52 |
3.99 |
0.4 |
2 |
|
Jake Diekman |
- - - |
58.1 |
10.65 |
4.78 |
73.80% |
56.40% |
4.01 |
3.63 |
3.63 |
0.4 |
2 |
|
Seth Maness |
63.1 |
6.54 |
1.85 |
69.00% |
55.90% |
4.26 |
3.78 |
3.53 |
0.3 |
2 |
|
|
Ryan Webb |
50.2 |
5.51 |
2.13 |
71.70% |
59.20% |
3.2 |
3.77 |
3.64 |
0.1 |
2 |
|
|
Corey Knebel |
50.1 |
10.37 |
3.04 |
86.90% |
49.20% |
3.22 |
4.03 |
3.16 |
0.1 |
2 |
Here are 29 more relievers. One notable fact is that every single player still has a WAR above 0, so if you can be a great player in two of my chosen categories, you're almost guaranteed to post a respectable season for your real team. The second fact is that only 5 of these relievers had an ERA over 4, so these guys as a group are very reliable when it comes to run prevention in general. These guys are who you want if you hate your relievers blowing up your ERA and WHIP once a month.
Here are the one category stars:
|
Name |
Team |
IP |
K/9 |
BB/9 |
LOB% |
GB% |
ERA |
FIP |
xFIP |
WAR |
CAT |
|
Cody Allen |
Indians |
69.1 |
12.85 |
3.25 |
71.10% |
32.90% |
2.99 |
1.82 |
2.83 |
2.6 |
1 |
|
Aroldis Chapman |
66.1 |
15.74 |
4.48 |
88.50% |
37.10% |
1.63 |
1.94 |
2.49 |
2.5 |
1 |
|
|
Dellin Betances |
84 |
14.04 |
4.29 |
89.20% |
47.70% |
1.5 |
2.48 |
2.41 |
2.4 |
1 |
|
|
Ken Giles |
Phillies |
70 |
11.19 |
3.21 |
75.40% |
44.80% |
1.8 |
2.13 |
3.05 |
2 |
1 |
|
Trevor Rosenthal |
Cardinals |
68.2 |
10.88 |
3.28 |
85.90% |
45.80% |
2.1 |
2.42 |
3.19 |
2 |
1 |
|
Wade Davis |
Royals |
67.1 |
10.43 |
2.67 |
92.20% |
38.40% |
0.94 |
2.29 |
3.07 |
2 |
1 |
|
Andrew Miller |
Yankees |
61.2 |
14.59 |
2.92 |
84.30% |
48.30% |
1.9 |
2.16 |
2.06 |
2 |
1 |
|
Liam Hendriks |
Blue Jays |
64.2 |
9.88 |
1.53 |
72.30% |
46.30% |
2.92 |
2.14 |
2.8 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
Craig Kimbrel |
59.1 |
13.2 |
3.34 |
80.60% |
46.10% |
2.58 |
2.68 |
2.46 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
|
Tony Watson |
Pirates |
75.1 |
7.41 |
2.03 |
82.20% |
47.60% |
1.91 |
2.84 |
3.6 |
1.4 |
1 |
|
Will Smith |
Brewers |
63.1 |
12.93 |
3.41 |
77.10% |
45.80% |
2.7 |
2.47 |
2.75 |
1.4 |
1 |
|
Kevin Siegrist |
Cardinals |
74.2 |
10.85 |
4.1 |
82.90% |
31.10% |
2.17 |
2.91 |
3.93 |
1.3 |
1 |
|
Roberto Osuna |
Blue Jays |
69.2 |
9.69 |
2.07 |
79.70% |
34.30% |
2.58 |
3.02 |
3.45 |
1.3 |
1 |
|
Josh Fields |
Astros |
50.2 |
11.9 |
3.38 |
69.40% |
34.20% |
3.55 |
2.19 |
3.33 |
1.3 |
1 |
|
Shawn Tolleson |
Rangers |
72.1 |
9.46 |
2.12 |
82.90% |
42.40% |
2.99 |
3.44 |
3.31 |
1.1 |
1 |
|
A.J. Ramos |
70.1 |
11.13 |
3.33 |
85.40% |
43.40% |
2.3 |
3.01 |
3.24 |
1.1 |
1 |
|
|
Junichi Tazawa |
58.2 |
8.59 |
1.99 |
70.80% |
40.30% |
4.14 |
3.05 |
3.73 |
1.1 |
1 |
|
|
Travis Wood |
Cubs |
58 |
11.02 |
4.19 |
71.40% |
38.50% |
2.95 |
2.53 |
3.46 |
1.1 |
1 |
|
Drew Storen |
55 |
10.96 |
2.62 |
71.20% |
38.40% |
3.44 |
2.79 |
3.24 |
1.1 |
1 |
|
|
Francisco Rodriguez |
Brewers |
57 |
9.79 |
1.74 |
83.70% |
46.40% |
2.21 |
2.91 |
2.63 |
1 |
1 |
|
Shawn Kelley |
Padres |
51.1 |
11.05 |
2.63 |
75.40% |
42.70% |
2.45 |
2.57 |
2.91 |
1 |
1 |
|
Brad Brach |
Orioles |
79.1 |
10.1 |
4.31 |
82.20% |
44.20% |
2.72 |
3.47 |
3.61 |
0.9 |
1 |
|
Joe Smith |
Angels |
65.1 |
7.85 |
2.62 |
74.30% |
52.10% |
3.58 |
3.15 |
3.42 |
0.9 |
1 |
|
Zach McAllister |
Indians |
65 |
10.94 |
3.05 |
80.20% |
44.40% |
2.49 |
3.06 |
3.24 |
0.9 |
1 |
|
Juan Nicasio |
Dodgers |
56.1 |
10.22 |
5.11 |
74.20% |
42.30% |
3.83 |
2.85 |
3.9 |
0.9 |
1 |
|
Jeremy Jeffress |
Brewers |
68 |
8.87 |
2.91 |
81.70% |
58.20% |
2.65 |
3.22 |
3 |
0.8 |
1 |
|
Casey Fien |
63.1 |
5.83 |
1.14 |
71.00% |
36.60% |
3.55 |
3.45 |
4.27 |
0.8 |
1 |
|
|
Fernando Rodriguez |
58.2 |
9.97 |
3.68 |
65.70% |
39.20% |
3.84 |
3.08 |
3.81 |
0.8 |
1 |
|
|
Hunter Strickland |
Giants |
51.1 |
8.77 |
1.75 |
79.20% |
39.80% |
2.45 |
2.9 |
3.35 |
0.8 |
1 |
|
Andrew Chafin |
Diamondbacks |
75 |
6.96 |
3.6 |
77.30% |
58.50% |
2.76 |
3.35 |
3.75 |
0.7 |
1 |
|
Antonio Bastardo |
Pirates |
57.1 |
10.05 |
4.08 |
78.50% |
31.00% |
2.98 |
3.33 |
4.27 |
0.6 |
1 |
|
Justin Grimm |
Cubs |
49.2 |
12.14 |
4.71 |
76.30% |
45.00% |
1.99 |
3.11 |
3.05 |
0.6 |
1 |
|
Will Harris |
Astros |
71 |
8.62 |
2.79 |
87.40% |
51.10% |
1.9 |
3.66 |
3.31 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
Glen Perkins |
Twins |
57 |
8.53 |
1.58 |
84.80% |
33.70% |
3.32 |
3.82 |
3.76 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
Dan Jennings |
White Sox |
56.1 |
7.35 |
3.83 |
68.20% |
65.10% |
3.99 |
3.47 |
3.62 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
Jake Petricka |
White Sox |
52 |
5.71 |
3.12 |
74.80% |
65.20% |
3.63 |
3.46 |
3.76 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
Brian Matusz |
Orioles |
49 |
10.29 |
3.67 |
79.60% |
35.20% |
2.94 |
3.58 |
3.94 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
Blake Treinen |
Nationals |
67.2 |
8.65 |
4.26 |
70.80% |
62.70% |
3.86 |
3.49 |
3.31 |
0.4 |
1 |
|
Joakim Soria |
- - - |
67.2 |
8.51 |
2.53 |
86.40% |
42.30% |
2.53 |
3.71 |
3.57 |
0.4 |
1 |
|
Luis Garcia |
Phillies |
66.2 |
8.51 |
5 |
78.30% |
63.00% |
3.51 |
3.69 |
3.57 |
0.4 |
1 |
|
Ryan Mattheus |
- - - |
56 |
5.95 |
2.89 |
67.60% |
52.70% |
4.02 |
3.58 |
4.02 |
0.4 |
1 |
|
Jose Alvarez |
Angels |
67 |
7.93 |
3.09 |
72.20% |
51.00% |
3.49 |
3.6 |
3.9 |
0.3 |
1 |
|
Jim Johnson |
- - - |
66.2 |
6.75 |
2.7 |
69.50% |
61.50% |
4.46 |
3.73 |
3.73 |
0.3 |
1 |
|
Anthony Bass |
Rangers |
64 |
6.33 |
2.81 |
67.50% |
48.50% |
4.5 |
3.73 |
4.03 |
0.3 |
1 |
|
Jumbo Diaz |
Reds |
60.1 |
10.44 |
2.69 |
75.30% |
43.70% |
4.18 |
3.8 |
3.2 |
0.3 |
1 |
|
Jonathan Broxton |
- - - |
60.1 |
9.4 |
3.28 |
69.70% |
52.80% |
4.62 |
3.65 |
3.24 |
0.3 |
1 |
|
Tommy Hunter |
- - - |
60.1 |
7.01 |
2.09 |
71.00% |
44.90% |
4.18 |
3.83 |
3.89 |
0.3 |
1 |
|
Pat Neshek |
Astros |
54.2 |
8.4 |
1.98 |
73.40% |
32.00% |
3.62 |
3.94 |
3.93 |
0.3 |
1 |
|
Jared Hughes |
Pirates |
67 |
4.84 |
2.55 |
81.70% |
63.70% |
2.28 |
3.81 |
4.1 |
0.2 |
1 |
|
Bryan Morris |
Marlins |
63 |
6.71 |
3.71 |
76.30% |
60.50% |
3.14 |
3.64 |
4.01 |
0.2 |
1 |
|
Hansel Robles |
Mets |
54 |
10.17 |
3 |
65.50% |
32.80% |
3.67 |
3.91 |
3.79 |
0.2 |
1 |
|
Zach Putnam |
White Sox |
48.2 |
11.84 |
4.44 |
76.40% |
43.90% |
4.07 |
4.1 |
3.44 |
0.2 |
1 |
|
Robbie Ross |
Red Sox |
60.2 |
7.86 |
2.97 |
74.80% |
49.70% |
3.86 |
4.02 |
3.64 |
0.1 |
1 |
|
Mike Dunn |
Marlins |
54 |
10.83 |
4.83 |
72.90% |
38.70% |
4.5 |
3.89 |
3.92 |
0.1 |
1 |
|
Christian Bergman |
Rockies |
52.2 |
4.96 |
1.71 |
75.20% |
40.10% |
4.1 |
4.33 |
4.4 |
0.1 |
1 |
|
Josh Collmenter |
Diamondbacks |
52.1 |
5.16 |
2.41 |
92.30% |
35.40% |
1.89 |
4.09 |
4.74 |
0.1 |
1 |
|
Brad Boxberger |
63 |
10.57 |
4.57 |
78.30% |
36.30% |
3.71 |
4.26 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
Pedro Villarreal |
Reds |
50 |
5.22 |
2.16 |
75.50% |
42.30% |
3.42 |
4.43 |
4.59 |
0 |
1 |
|
Yusmeiro Petit |
Giants |
70 |
7.33 |
1.8 |
79.40% |
31.30% |
3.47 |
3.96 |
4.26 |
-0.1 |
1 |
|
Evan Scribner |
Athletics |
60 |
9.6 |
0.6 |
74.30% |
39.40% |
4.35 |
4.33 |
2.83 |
-0.1 |
1 |
|
George Kontos |
Giants |
73.1 |
5.4 |
1.47 |
86.90% |
42.70% |
2.33 |
4.02 |
4.01 |
-0.2 |
1 |
|
J.R. Graham |
Twins |
59.2 |
7.54 |
3.17 |
65.50% |
50.00% |
5.13 |
4.68 |
4.17 |
-0.2 |
1 |
|
Zach Duke |
White Sox |
60.2 |
9.79 |
4.75 |
80.70% |
58.30% |
3.41 |
4.62 |
3.59 |
-0.3 |
1 |
|
Brandon Gomes |
Rays |
59 |
6.71 |
2.29 |
76.30% |
35.40% |
4.27 |
4.76 |
4.73 |
-0.4 |
1 |
|
Brian Duensing |
Twins |
48.2 |
4.44 |
3.88 |
73.40% |
51.30% |
4.25 |
5.02 |
5.11 |
-0.4 |
1 |
|
Jean Machi |
- - - |
58 |
6.52 |
3.41 |
66.40% |
48.60% |
5.12 |
4.67 |
4.35 |
-0.5 |
1 |
|
Fernando Rodney |
- - - |
62.2 |
8.33 |
4.16 |
71.90% |
50.60% |
4.74 |
4.92 |
4.37 |
-0.7 |
1 |
|
Scott Oberg |
Rockies |
58.1 |
6.79 |
4.78 |
74.10% |
54.00% |
5.09 |
5.76 |
4.74 |
-0.9 |
1 |
This is why these players are relievers. The best arms in fantasy baseball were the top 3 players in this group. This group is also the most prone to shifting from this section, down to the masters of none. Pitchers who have truly elite strikeout rates, but nothing else, can't survive as starters because they simply throw too many pitches per inning. As their velocity declines, or they have less movement, they lose their one skill they've always leaned on. These pitchers go from hero to zero quickly.
And now, for the true masters of none, Tier 4:
|
Name |
Team |
IP |
K/9 |
BB/9 |
LOB% |
GB% |
ERA |
FIP |
xFIP |
WAR |
|
Justin Wilson |
Yankees |
61 |
9.74 |
2.95 |
74.90% |
43.80% |
3.1 |
2.69 |
3.12 |
1.5 |
|
Blaine Hardy |
Tigers |
61.1 |
8.07 |
3.23 |
75.10% |
39.00% |
3.08 |
2.89 |
4.08 |
1.1 |
|
Addison Reed |
- - - |
56 |
8.2 |
3.05 |
76.90% |
43.10% |
3.38 |
3.03 |
4.04 |
1 |
|
Sean Gilmartin |
Mets |
52.1 |
8.77 |
2.92 |
79.00% |
46.20% |
2.58 |
2.52 |
3.66 |
0.9 |
|
Tom Wilhelmsen |
Mariners |
62 |
8.71 |
4.21 |
76.10% |
42.10% |
3.19 |
3.33 |
4.22 |
0.8 |
|
Kevin Jepsen |
- - - |
69.2 |
7.62 |
3.49 |
81.90% |
45.70% |
2.33 |
3.54 |
4.04 |
0.7 |
|
Kelvin Herrera |
Royals |
69.2 |
8.27 |
3.36 |
78.10% |
44.70% |
2.71 |
3.44 |
3.82 |
0.6 |
|
Daniel Hudson |
Diamondbacks |
64.1 |
9.23 |
3.22 |
67.80% |
42.50% |
4.06 |
3.57 |
3.69 |
0.6 |
|
Michael Blazek |
Brewers |
55.2 |
7.6 |
2.91 |
76.60% |
47.40% |
2.43 |
3.17 |
3.85 |
0.6 |
|
Cesar Ramos |
Angels |
52.1 |
7.39 |
2.58 |
79.80% |
47.10% |
2.75 |
3.02 |
3.79 |
0.6 |
|
Brandon Maurer |
Padres |
51 |
6.88 |
2.65 |
70.90% |
47.70% |
3 |
3.31 |
3.85 |
0.6 |
|
Randall Delgado |
Diamondbacks |
69.2 |
9.17 |
4 |
82.10% |
43.50% |
2.84 |
3.78 |
4.06 |
0.4 |
|
Joaquin Benoit |
Padres |
65.1 |
8.68 |
3.17 |
85.90% |
46.30% |
2.34 |
3.75 |
3.69 |
0.4 |
|
Carlos Torres |
Mets |
57.2 |
7.49 |
2.81 |
65.30% |
48.30% |
4.68 |
3.53 |
3.71 |
0.4 |
|
Burke Badenhop |
Reds |
66.1 |
4.88 |
2.71 |
71.40% |
46.70% |
3.93 |
3.74 |
4.67 |
0.3 |
|
Huston Street |
Angels |
62.1 |
8.23 |
2.89 |
80.40% |
34.50% |
3.18 |
3.73 |
4.14 |
0.3 |
|
Al Alburquerque |
Tigers |
62 |
8.42 |
4.79 |
74.40% |
48.30% |
4.21 |
3.75 |
4.07 |
0.3 |
|
Arquimedes Caminero |
Pirates |
74.2 |
8.8 |
3.5 |
76.00% |
47.60% |
3.62 |
3.8 |
3.77 |
0.2 |
|
Tyler Clippard |
- - - |
71 |
8.11 |
3.93 |
81.00% |
21.20% |
2.92 |
4.28 |
5.3 |
0.2 |
|
Blaine Boyer |
Twins |
65 |
4.57 |
2.63 |
77.00% |
47.60% |
2.49 |
4 |
4.36 |
0.2 |
|
Bryan Shaw |
Indians |
64 |
7.59 |
2.67 |
81.10% |
45.80% |
2.95 |
4.01 |
3.72 |
0.2 |
|
Carlos Villanueva |
Cardinals |
61 |
8.11 |
3.1 |
80.50% |
42.40% |
2.95 |
3.74 |
4.06 |
0.2 |
|
Kevin Quackenbush |
Padres |
58.1 |
8.95 |
3.09 |
69.70% |
43.60% |
4.01 |
3.56 |
3.69 |
0.2 |
|
Christian Friedrich |
Rockies |
58.1 |
6.94 |
3.86 |
68.10% |
47.40% |
5.25 |
4.04 |
4.37 |
0.2 |
|
Santiago Casilla |
Giants |
58 |
9.62 |
3.57 |
84.30% |
46.50% |
2.79 |
3.63 |
3.46 |
0.2 |
|
Luis Avilan |
- - - |
53.1 |
8.27 |
2.53 |
71.90% |
48.00% |
4.05 |
3.66 |
3.5 |
0.2 |
|
Steve Geltz |
Rays |
63.1 |
8.38 |
3.55 |
68.00% |
31.70% |
3.84 |
4.19 |
4.55 |
0.1 |
|
Luke Hochevar |
Royals |
50.2 |
8.7 |
2.84 |
76.50% |
37.20% |
3.73 |
4 |
4.19 |
0.1 |
|
J.J. Hoover |
Reds |
64.1 |
7.27 |
4.34 |
78.90% |
40.10% |
2.94 |
4.47 |
4.62 |
0 |
|
Edwin Jackson |
- - - |
55.2 |
6.47 |
3.4 |
67.90% |
41.10% |
3.07 |
3.82 |
4.47 |
0 |
|
Steve Cishek |
- - - |
55.1 |
7.81 |
4.39 |
73.60% |
46.10% |
3.58 |
3.86 |
4.33 |
0 |
|
Justin De Fratus |
Phillies |
80 |
7.65 |
3.6 |
66.20% |
44.00% |
5.51 |
4.28 |
4.46 |
-0.1 |
|
Chasen Shreve |
Yankees |
58.1 |
9.87 |
5.09 |
89.90% |
46.00% |
3.09 |
4.92 |
4.23 |
-0.2 |
|
Danny Farquhar |
Mariners |
51 |
8.47 |
3 |
65.10% |
38.50% |
5.12 |
4.6 |
4.02 |
-0.2 |
|
Neal Cotts |
- - - |
63.1 |
8.24 |
3.13 |
86.30% |
37.20% |
3.41 |
5 |
4.31 |
-0.4 |
|
Craig Breslow |
Red Sox |
55.2 |
6.79 |
3.4 |
76.10% |
34.90% |
4.53 |
5.2 |
5.04 |
-0.6 |
|
Alexi Ogando |
Red Sox |
65.1 |
7.3 |
3.86 |
83.30% |
42.10% |
3.99 |
5.32 |
4.54 |
-0.9 |
Plenty of these relievers had poor seasons, or are your standard mop up man. Santiago Casilla and Huston Street being in this group was surprising, and honestly makes me think the next set up men to research are Fernando Salas, Joe Smith, and Jose Alvarez on the Angels and Hunter Strickland and Sergio Romo of the Giants.
So with a further look, I think I've truly settled on my stance of, don't pay up for relief aces. If one of the top tier is on your team, or about half of the guys from the second tier, you can plan on owning them into 2017 comfortably, otherwise, they are the ultimate trade chip. A relievers value is fickle because their success is tied to their team. Starters and hitters, both can control more of their own destiny, making them more predictable. These players value changes on a dime, and frankly, it's a game of hot potato that too many owners want to partake in. Take advantage of the market, deal your perceived star reliever now, and enjoy your profits down the road.