Stud Middle Relievers (1 Viewer)

[ceo3west]

I try to plug one or two of these guys in my lineup each year - two of these guys can equal an ace minus some wins and can be found on the wire. Here are some from last year (pasted from a recent article).

• J.P. Howell, Rays - Howell had six wins, 92 strikeouts and a 2.22 ERA last season.

• Matt Thornton, White Sox - Thornton had five wins, 77 strikeouts and a 2.67 ERA last season.

• Grant Balfour, Rays - Balfour had six wins, 82 strikeouts and a 1.54 ERA last season.

• Scot Shields, Angels - Shields had six wins, 64 strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA last season.

• Jose Veras, Yankees - Veras had five wins, 63 strikeouts and a 3.59 ERA last season.

• Chad Durbin, Phillies - Durbin had five wins, 63 strikeouts and a 2.87 ERA last season.

• John Grabow, PIrates - Grabow had six wins, 62 strikeouts and a 2.84 ERA last season.

One guy who is considered a breakout for this year is Arredondo from Anaheim. I'm looking for others who will break out this year. Ryan Perry (Det)? Tony Pena (Arz)? Any help is appreciated.

 

[pantagrapher]

Hong-Chih Kuo, LAD

 

[meeka]

Hong-Chih Kuo, LAD

I like this idea for a thread since I am in a Holds league and could use some reliever help.

 

[=Smackdown=]

JJ Putz

Carlos Marmol

Damaso Marte

 

[Eephus]

I liked Villanueva a lot but his value has soared with Hoffman's injury.

Delcarmen

Wheeler

Juan Cruz (not a big WHIP help but great K rates)

Rafael Perez

Rauch

Edwar Ramirez

 

[cosjobs]

Saito and Masterson

 

[guru_007]

Its hard from year to year, because there are always a few guys that come out of nowhere to be awesome - Balfour and Howell, and a few guys that have been solid give you nothing - Pena, Shields, Nesheck.....Heilman was sucky last year too

What I generally do is take a chance on one or two at the beginning of the year and after a month or so, take a look at who's been doing well. It's a bit easier when you watch a lot of games and can see who the manager likes in certain situations and who has overpowering kind of stuff. Also, it helps when you pitch on a good team (90+ wins usually) as these teams get a lot of vulture wins and saves.

Arrendondo on Angels looks very good to me.

Check out the Red Sox games and see how Francona likes to manage this year's staff. Okajima was awesome in his first year (3 wins, 5 saves, great whip and over a K/inning), but just so so last year. I have a feeling Saito and Delcarmen are well positioned this year.

I kinda like Todd Coffey's prospects - I'd keep an eye on him.

Scott Downs is another guy.

keep in mind, a lot of these guys will be lingering on the waiver wire for a long time, so don't take too many chances and don't be afraid to drop and pickup new guys

 

[MAC_32]

Good ones come out of nowhere every year, I utilize a steady diet of MR's in my roto leagues but treat them more like cheap asian whores than anything else. I play some mix of hot hands, matchups, and perceived talent.

 

[Buckfast 1]

Good ones come out of nowhere every year, I utilize a steady diet of MR's in my roto leagues but treat them more like cheap asian whores than anything else. I play some mix of hot hands, matchups, and perceived talent.

I've used this strategy pretty consistently over the past few years, and it has generally worked out very nicely for me. I feel like I always end up being rated higher in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts than my cast of pitchers deserve talent-wise.

 

[cosjobs]

Good ones come out of nowhere every year, I utilize a steady diet of MR's in my roto leagues but treat them more like cheap asian whores than anything else. I play some mix of hot hands, matchups, and perceived talent.

I've used this strategy pretty consistently over the past few years, and it has generally worked out very nicely for me. I feel like I always end up being rated higher in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts than my cast of pitchers deserve talent-wise.

This usually works, but sometimes one or two of them blow up and give six runs in a third of an inning and your ERA and WHIp get screwed for weeks or more. I like the strategy, but it is dangerous.

 

[MAC_32]

Good ones come out of nowhere every year, I utilize a steady diet of MR's in my roto leagues but treat them more like cheap asian whores than anything else. I play some mix of hot hands, matchups, and perceived talent.

I've used this strategy pretty consistently over the past few years, and it has generally worked out very nicely for me. I feel like I always end up being rated higher in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts than my cast of pitchers deserve talent-wise.

This usually works, but sometimes one or two of them blow up and give six runs in a third of an inning and your ERA and WHIp get screwed for weeks or more. I like the strategy, but it is dangerous.

Minimize the likelihood of that happening by limiting yourself to MR's playing teams like the Giants, Padres, Jays, etc.

 

[Finless]

Go for Arredondo...he'll be closing by July

 

[Statorama]

The good ones have already been mentioned, but Phil Coke of NYY has been tearing it up in ST. If he doesn't get roped into being a LOOGY he might be a good one.

Of the guys mentioned, my guess for a "JP Howell-like season" is Delcarmen. Saito pushed him down in the pecking order, which I think helps him pick up a few cheap comeback wins that Paplebon closes out.

 

[firecrackerfreakshow]

some seventh innings guys

Sean Green will grab some holds..had 17 in Seattle

Edwar ramirez..may get some 8th innings games also

leo Nunez could be in line to close as well

 

[Mike Shanahan Fan]

Depends if you want MR's who have a chance of becoming closers, or just MR's for the sake of being MR's.

 

[pantagrapher]

Depends if you want MR's who have a chance of becoming closers, or just MR's for the sake of being MR's.

Given the examples in the OP, I think it's safe to say we're talking about the latter.

 

[ceo3west]

Depends if you want MR's who have a chance of becoming closers, or just MR's for the sake of being MR's.

Given the examples in the OP, I think it's safe to say we're talking about the latter.

Exactly - I'm looking for ERA/WHIP/K, not saves.

 

[Tiger Fan]

blackdot

 

[Mike Shanahan Fan]

I try to plug one or two of these guys in my lineup each year - two of these guys can equal an ace minus some wins and can be found on the wire. Here are some from last year (pasted from a recent article).• J.P. Howell, Rays - Howell had six wins, 92 strikeouts and a 2.22 ERA last season. • Matt Thornton, White Sox - Thornton had five wins, 77 strikeouts and a 2.67 ERA last season.• Grant Balfour, Rays - Balfour had six wins, 82 strikeouts and a 1.54 ERA last season.• Scot Shields, Angels - Shields had six wins, 64 strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA last season.• Jose Veras, Yankees - Veras had five wins, 63 strikeouts and a 3.59 ERA last season.• Chad Durbin, Phillies - Durbin had five wins, 63 strikeouts and a 2.87 ERA last season.• John Grabow, PIrates - Grabow had six wins, 62 strikeouts and a 2.84 ERA last season.One guy who is considered a breakout for this year is Arredondo from Anaheim. I'm looking for others who will break out this year. Ryan Perry (Det)? Tony Pena (Arz)? Any help is appreciated.

I'd actually nix Shields, Veras, Durbin and Grabow from this list. With MR's who have much smaller sample sizes in terms of innings, I think it's more important to look at peripherals here. I'd add:Rafael Perez - CLETony Pena - ARZTaylor Buchholz - COLOctavio Dotel - CWS