The Red Sox, Blue Jays, Tigers, Twins, Rangers, Angels, Mariners, Braves, Mets, Marlins, Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Dodgers, Padres are among the many teams likely to seek right-handed relievers this offseason. As usual, there are plenty of options of every variety.
Right-Handed Closers Available In Free Agency Or Trade
The free agent market for right-handed relievers with recent closing experience includes Jonathan Papelbon, Ryan Madson, Heath Bell, Francisco Cordero, Frank Francisco, Joe Nathan, Francisco Rodriguez, Matt Capps, Jonathan Broxton, and Jon Rauch. David Aardsma is also a free agent, but he had Tommy John surgery in July.
Madson appears close to a four-year, $44MM contract with a fifth-year vesting option. That contract would set the bar for Papelbon and limit his suitors. Bell, Cordero, and Rodriguez seem certain to get multiyear deals, unless Bell accepts arbitration from the Padres. Looking at just the free agents, the market appears flush with closing options. Madson, Papelbon, Bell, Capps, Rodriguez, and Cordero are Type A free agents, but only the first three are likely to be offered arbitration and therefore would come with the cost of a draft pick.
The trade market for righty closers is largely speculative, but may include Andrew Bailey, Brandon League, Juan Carlos Oviedo, Huston Street, and even Joel Hanrahan and Drew Storen.
Other Right-Handed Relievers Available In Free Agency Or Trade
There are more than 30 additional right-handed relievers on the free agent market. The list is all over the place in terms of quality and health, but I think Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel, Kerry Wood, Guillermo Mota, Mike Wuertz, Juan Cruz, Jason Isringhausen, Takashi Saito, Dan Wheeler, Scott Linebrink, Todd Coffey, LaTroy Hawkins, Chad Qualls, and Shawn Camp can get Major League deals. If you filter to non-closers who pitched 50+ innings with a sub-4.00 ERA, a strikeout rate over eight per nine, and a walk rate under four per nine, you're left with only Dotel, Wood, and Mota. If you're a velocity lover, you can't beat Fernando Rodney and Mike MacDougal.
The trade market has yet to take shape, but perhaps Koji Uehara, Grant Balfour, and Jason Frasor will be available.
Non-Tender Candidates
Several more right-handed relievers will join the free agent at the non-tender deadline. Some could include Taylor Buchholz, Micah Owings, Clay Hensley, Andy Sonnanstine, and Matt Albers.
Check out our full free agent list, as well as our articles on the markets at catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field, right field, center field, designated hitter, and starting pitcher.
