The flow of free agency isn’t what it used to be, but there has been a fair amount of movement at the top of the bullpen market. Of the 13 relievers who earned a spot on MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agents list, eight are already off the board. Further down the line, though, the hurlers have mostly been left waiting.
Let’s check in on where things stand with just over a month to go before the start of Spring Training:
Premium Relievers
There’s no doubting that Craig Kimbrel remains the premium name on the market, even if it’s still not clear which teams are truly pursuing him. It’s tough to ignore his historic excellence, even if he dealt with some consistency issues at an inopportune time in 2018. Just how far his asking price will have to drop remains to be seen.
Otherwise, Adam Ottavino is perhaps the only other reliever who not only possesses top-end stuff but deployed it to full effect in the just-completed campaign. He’d still fit on any number of staffs as a set-up man or closer. Ottavino has been discussed a fair bit all winter long and still seems to have strong demand.
Top Alternative Relievers
Teams that look to the next tier of arms still have some names to consider. It wasn’t long ago that Cody Allen seemed likely to be considered among the best-available hurlers, so he could be a bargain if he’s able to get back on track. Brad Brach has also established some real upside, though he wasn’t at his best last year. Despite miserable results all year long, Ryan Madson still delivers power stuff and impeccable K/BB numbers.
Results have been strong of late for Bud Norris, who has been more effective as a reliever. Much the same can be said of Adam Warren, another former swingman who has settled in as a steady pen piece. Sergio Romo is still tough to square up, though he has been a bit prone to the long ball when good contact is made.
Teams looking for upside may look to coax former closers Brad Boxberger and Hunter Strickland with promises of opportunities and incentives. David Phelps and AJ Ramos are among the interesting hurlers returning from injury.
On the left side, Justin Wilson is still among the more interesting and frustrating hurlers around. He still racks up the strikeouts, but his control issues remain a major concern. Oliver Perez was shockingly effective last year, racking up a 43:7 K/BB ratio and allowing only 17 hits and five earned runs in 32 1/3 innings, though that showing came at 37 years of age and on the heels of a few decidedly less productive campaigns. Tony Sipp is another older southpaw who had a strong bounceback season.
There are other notable names, too. Luis Avilan and Xavier Cedeno have been quietly effective of late. Dan Jennings has continued to generate good results despite underwhelming underlying stats. Zach Duke‘s ERA lagged his peripherals, but he was probably in the best overall form of several veteran bounceback candidates (Jerry Blevins, Jake Diekman, Aaron Loup).
Other Names To Consider
John Axford, Tony Barnette, Matt Belisle, Joaquin Benoit, Blaine Boyer, Santiago Casilla, Tyler Clippard, Tim Collins, Jorge De La Rosa, Randall Delgado, Cory Gearrin, Chris Hatcher, Greg Holland, Daniel Hudson, Jim Johnson, Shawn Kelley, George Kontos, Brandon Maurer, Zach McAllister, Peter Moylan, Drew Storen, Nick Vincent, Alex Wilson, Blake Wood
angels? angels? angels?
It’s sad how many names on that list pitched for the Giants.
How is it sad, exactly?
I count 7 for the padres, so what is your point ?
…….Its happiness that their not with the Giants anymore
Fake giants fan. I’d love to have Romo still in our pen, Gearrin was solid too. Wouldn’t mind Strick back as well. Better than giving innings to Ty Blach and Pierce Johnson
Strickland was a cancer glad they moved on.
I would not consider Axford for ball boy.
Can’t Kimbrel and Boras just go away.
Boras isn’t even Kimbrel’s agent. He is with Sportsmeter.
Maybe David wants both of them to go away? I didn’t see David say Boras is Kimbrel’s agent.
Still the Braves can’t find any bullpen help….. comical.
Can’t? They’ve already said they’re monitoring Kimbrel’s market but aren’t interested in going over 3 yrs. What’s most likely to happen is they gain another arm via a multi player trade. They’ve also said they will most likely add 1 if not 2 of their young pitchers to the bullpen that miss out on the rotation.
Replace can’t with won’t?
Just like position players and starters there may be one guy that signs that causes the dominos to fall. Maybe the Braves are waiting out Kimbrel. If they sign him to terms they can live with great if not it’s plan b. But if you go to plan b some teams have taken themselves out of plan a. The marker is stagnate
*market
So many solid names still available. A team can build a great bullpen just from FA this time. Tough time for Kimbrel to be a FA. Unless his price and years come down, I see teams opting for lesser names. I wish Nationals would go after couple of these relievers.
Jonathan Papelbon had a starters selection of pitches. He had real feel to pitch. That’s how he survived the five year deal.
Kimbrel is two pitches. As soon as two MPH comes off that fastball he’s headed for the cliff with no way to stop his momentum.
Whatever happened to Papelbon? At one point he was talking about a comeback but not sure if he ever tried?
When a guy starts losing his stuff the only way you’ll take a chance on him if he’s a great Clubhouse presence and good for the kids. Papelbon did not fit the bill there.
I was never a big fan of “Papelpuss” (my dad would call him that) but I will always enjoy him getting in Harpers face for not hustling.
Allen’s K rate remained great last year but his horrible walk rate combined with a uptick in his home runs per 9 killed him last season. He is an amazing bounce back candidate and would probably take a 1 year deal to build up his value
Twins this is your guy
1. Left out Drew Pomeranz. Experienced relife pitcher and swingman. Only 31. If healthy, he’s a potential bargain (I wouldn’t be surprised if the Red Siox resign him.
2. Kimbrel’s control was terrible all season in 2018. He would have blown more than 5 saves if the Red Sox didn’t score so many runs.. His performance in the post-season wasn’t an anomaly. Anyone who signs him for a long contract or Chapman numbers is doomed.
3. Salary doesn’t equal quality. I’d be happy to see the Sox make Brasier the closer.
4. Joe Kelly had a lousy season. .Calling his departure a major blow to the Sox pen is absurd. Good team member, though.
1. Disagree on Pomeranz best to just let him go
2. Red Sox would do fine without Kimbrel but I think would do better with him.
3. Brasier has shown signs of brilliance but not a proven commodity yet …. good thing is he is under control for several more years to find out.
4. You’re right about Kelly… they had to pull him in several games to save him from himself but used him in Key situations in the playoffs that proved to be fruitful …. if the Dodgers don’t handle him the same way he will implode.
I think the Red Sox are trying to be mindful of the future with regard to money while trying not to let go of the opportunity to repeat in 2019
I think Pomeranz will sign as a starter. I left out a few other guys of that ilk as well.
I love letting young players step up, but the Sox are contenders. Are you really 100% comfortable handing the closer role to a largely unknown quantity? Wouldn’t it be safer to sign a 1-2 year stopgap closer, and let Brasier ease into the role as a setup man?
Otherwise there’s nobody to slide in to the role if he struggles out of the gate.
More then likely Jack it’s Barnes who gets first crack at closing. He pitched well most of the time last year has good K numbers and really good ground ball pitcher. His real only problem is high amount of walks per nine. If he can get that under control he could be an effective closer. Brazier probably gets the 8th inning at this point. It’s going to be a real challenge for Alex Cora dealing with that bullpen without Kimbrel.
I wonder if the pitch tipping issue of Kimbrel was happening on and off through the year and not just in the playoffs. And another reason could be the health issues of his baby that he has been dealing with too.
Could be, he was shaky the whole second half of the season not just the playoffs
I thought Santiago Casilla was going to retire?
hope AdWar goes back to the Yanks. Cheap and effective
The “other names to consider” leave me to blame my dad for not giving me good athletic genes. Shawn Kelly, career WAR 3.5, $22.6M. John Axford, 4..1 WAR, $24.5M, Drew Storen, 4.9WAR, $23.9M. This nonsense about being a doctor, lawyer, scientist, something….
Strap your child’s right arm down, make him/her use left arm exclusively. LOOGYs last forever.
Just my opinion, but if the Twins don’t sign Allen, the Cruz, Schoop, and Cron signings will have been for nothing.
I agree to some extent. However IF Reed can bounce back. Rogers, Reed, May is pretty descent back end. Would like to see a proven closer added to the mix though.
Yankees need to bring back Warren. Of course if they do they would just trade him again. What’s the record for how many times a team has traded a player?
Considering the options on the market, the Yankees dont need Warren. They might not sign anyone since they have that young lefty that impressed late last season. However, if they sign anyone, I’d rather the Yankees get someone like Allen, Romo, or Kimbrel. Warren didnt look good in SEA and he was average for the last couple seasons.
@Joe Says… Not sure, but the Mets acquired Greg McMichael twice and traded him twice in the late 1990s.
Randall Delgado was signed to a minor league deal by the White Sox
Kimbrel and Octavino should consider 3 yrs but with opt out clause next yr.. They can have chance to make more money next yr due to supply/ demand on relief market.. The only premium reliever is Betance.
I’d rather the Yanks avoid Ottavino. We already have 2 relivers earning well over $10 mil and Bets will be close in his last arbitration year and will be a FA next season. By fg WAR he’s been the top relief pitcher over the last 5 years.
Warren is a good option. Also, Loisaiga and German although I’d rather they keep those guys in AAA and stretch them out as SP to see what they have.
Bullpen bargain of the year: Nick Vincent.
How about Hunter Strickland ?
Lower cost and you don’t have to pay him when he gets suspended.
Kimbrel, brach, then either storen , Gearrin, or Kelley … or some random solid lefty. This is what the braves should go get. Kimbrel and Brach would make our bullpen a lot better.
Kimbrel and Allen should be enough
Kimbrel, Allen, Vizcaino, Minter, Sobotka, Venters, and Winkler is a solid pen.
The Angels need to add at least two quality arms to their pen. What they have now is a collection of kids with varying degrees of potential. They need a veteran presence and someone to handle the ninth inning. If they don’t address the bullpen at all, they won’t even be competitive.
Clippard deserves better than an honorable mention.
3.67 ERA, 7 saves, 11.1 K/IP in 68.2 innings in the AL East. Sure his peripherals are iffy but he’s made a career of outperforming peripherals.
good point… always liked the guy, well, not when the phils faced him, but i like his stuff… a change up coming from a righty with his funky delivery seemed to fool hitters pretty well for a decent period of time… i think he still has quite a few quality innings left in the tank
Looking at the players listed, I’d take Will Smith over anyone other than the top 2. It would make sense for SF to move him and Watson as well. Instead of packaging to move bad contracts, it would be interesting to see what they’d net if they packaged Smith with Bumgarner. Personally, I think they’d be better off holding onto him. At least for now.
Darkhorse candidate for Red Sox bullpen: Tanner Houck
I’d offer Hunter Strickland a WWE contract.
Wrestler Name: Beano.
There’s a lot and I’m surprised given some teams clear need. Some big dominoes need to fall. There are teams that are on tight budgets waiting out guys before moving on. Once a few top guys and teams nowhere they stand with the market set it’ll get going but this is slow moving for sure