The free agent market for right-handed relievers features a number of pitchers who succeeded in major league bullpens last year. The selection for teams in search of left-handed relievers isn't quite as good. Here are the free agent lefties (closers excluded) that teams like the Yankees and Phillies will be considering as they look for relief help this winter:
The Type As
Scott Downs and Arthur Rhodes will both cost a draft pick if they turn down arbitration from their respective clubs. The Reds would like to bring Rhodes back and he's interested in returning to Cincinnati, so Downs may be the lone lefty who costs a pick.
Mets Workhorses
Pedro Feliciano has led the National League in appearances for three consecutive seasons. He posted a 3.30 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 last year and should have his share of suitors. Hisanori Takahashi posted a 3.61 ERA in 122 innings as a swingman for the Mets with 8.4 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9. He could re-sign in New York, but that seems unlikely.
Lefty Specialists
There are a lot of lefty specialists to choose from this year and these relievers all limit lefty batters well (stats are for lefty-lefty matchups only): Randy Choate (9.2 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, 62% ground ball rate), Mark Hendrickson (7.6K/9, 3.2 BB/9), Dennys Reyes (9.5 K/9, 5.2 BB/9, 58% ground ball rate), Will Ohman (9.5 K/9, 4.9 BB/9, 55% ground ball rate) and J.C. Romero (7.8 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, 63% ground ball rate).
Joe Beimel and Ron Mahay don't get as many grounders or strikeouts against left-handed hitters, but they do limit walks well. Taylor Tankersley, a new addition to the free agent pool, has succeeded against lefties throughout his career.
Summary
Downs, Rhodes, Takahashi and Feliciano are four capable left-handers for teams to pursue. Plenty of lefty specialists will remain for teams looking to fill out their bullpens with proven relievers who can retire tough left-handed bats.
Ben – How did you forget Randy Williams
J.C. Romero as well and Bruce Chen possibly as a swingman.
What about the Red Sox’ Okajima? Tough year in 2010 but good in ’09 and isn’t he eligible for free agency?
Javier Lopez was 5 days away from joining this list. That would have been a huge loss to SFG.
Or they could have just re-signed him.
Doubtful after his dominant postseason.
Just give him the money? Were not talking about the Marlins.
The giants have a ton of money to dish out in Stadium debt, deferred money, raises, re-signings and a ton of arbitration this winter. J.Lopez shut down Jason Heyward, Bryan McCann, C.Utley, R.Howard and Hamilton in the playoffs. He easily would have got 5 on mil on the open market and the giants would have lost him.
Your making it seem like he would be the most desirable free agent on the market. He is a good left handed specialist.
You know how many teams would love a lock down left handed specialist out of the bullpen? The Giants don’t make the playoffs without Lopez
I disagree and I think that on the open market he wouldn’t get more than 4-6 at most.
You disagree the Giants don’t make the playoffs without Lopez? The same guy that locked down Adrian Gonzalez, Joey Votto and Carlos Gonzalez in the late innings this season.
and 4-6 mil is what the Giants couldn’t afford to match. They’re already overpaying Jeremy Affeldt.
Okay so that’s 3 hitters. Buster Posey and Andres Torres had 400+ AB’s and Lincecum and Cain pitched 200 innings. “without Lopez the Giants don’t make the post-season.” I disagree.
Just quit while your behind. It’s obvious you don’t know what you’re talking about.
I don’t know what I’m talking about? Okay Dwan nice to talking to you.
reliever free agent class has lots of depth this year
I want Feliciano on the Phils.
Joe Beimel + Dodgers = Reunite!
Okay here’s my predictions.
Downs- Red Sox
Feliciano- Yankees
Rhodes- Reds
Chocate- Dbacks
Beimel- Mets
Takahashi- Mariners
Reyes- Cardinals
Romero- Marlins
Phillies will def. Get a LOOGY.
Seems pretty good to me.
i honest to goodness hope the cardinals leave the Fat Man alone. he was horrendous. don’t let the decent ERA fool you, in april, his era was 1.42. in may, it was 0.00. in june, it was horrifically 12.46, july it was 3.44, and august it was 13.50, in september he barely played because his season was essentially finished because of injuries-era was 1.50. i would rather not have 2 LOOGY’s than have Reyes as the LOOGY.
I think that Beimel will return to the Rockies. The only other reliable lefty they have right now is Matt Reynolds who tossed 18 innings over 21 appearances in a late season callup in 2010. He was very effective (2.00 ERA, 0.833 WHIP, 17 K, 5 BB) in those appearances, and I suspect that will continue, but Beimel was their overall best lefty the past two seasons. I see him getting a little over $2 million (what he made last year) to come back to Denver. He likes it here and the guys like him and appreciate what he brings to the team.
What about Brian Fuentes? He’s a free agent, right? And he doesn’t cost a pick, won’t cost a ton in years/$ does a great job against lefties and has handled righties competently. Why is no one talking about him?