Evaluating Free Agent Relievers

[EVIL~! alkeiper]

Relief pitchers can be a highly inconsistant lot. A reliever with a career year is less likely to follow it up than any other player. So take these rankings with a grain of salt, especially after the first few.

 

1. Armando Benitez

2. Troy Percival

3. Chris Hammond

4. Antonio Osuna

5. Steve Kline

6. Scott Williamson

7. Trever Miller

8. Steve Reed

9. Rheal Cormier

10. Jose Mesa

11. Kent Mercker

12. Dan Miceli

13. Bob Wickman

14. Dave Weathers

15. Wilson Alvarez

16. Terry Adams

17. Esteban Yan

18. Antonio Alfonseca

19. Jeff Nelson

20. Buddy Groom

 

This is a weak market for closers, with only Benitez and Percival contributing reliably. Jose Mesa is inconsistant, and Scott Williamson and Bob Wickman are injury risks. However, the market is absolutely loaded with lefties, including Steve Reed, Chris Hammond, Rheal Cormier, Kent Mercker, Buddy Groom, and Steve Kline on the market. Mike Myers, Gabe White, and Terry Mulholland also fall outside the list. Trever Miller is a possible steal, as he put his finest season together in Tampa Bay, coming off a two year layoff from 2001-02. Antonio Osuna has avoided the injury bug for two years now, and also looks like a capable reliever. This is a fine reliever market, particularly for teams who can sort through the candidates wisely.

[Guest Anglesault]

Kline

[EVIL~! alkeiper]

Oh god. Can you imagine the Yankees' attempts to civilize Kline?

[Brett Favre]

Kline's a headcase. Cormier sounds good.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

Kline may be a nutcase but he also rules.

 

of course LOOGY is one of the like 8 roster spots that the White Sox don't suck at.

[HarleyQuinn]

I was bored so I decided to do 3 year averages for the top ten listed relievers.

 

1. Armando Benitez: 65 games, 2.17 ERA, 70 IP, 72/29 ratio

2. Troy Percival: 54 games, 2.76 ERA, 52 IP, 50/22 ratio

3. Chris Hammond: 55 games, 2.16 ERA, 64 IP, 47/18 ratio

4. Antonio Osuna: 46 games, 3.35 ERA, 52 IP, 50/20 ratio

5. Steve Kline: 70 games, 3.00 ERA, 57 IP, 36/23 ratio

6. Scott Williamson: 52 games, 2.78 ERA, 55 IP, 62/29 ratio

7. Trever Miller: 52 games, 6.07 ERA(inflated by 2000), 39 IP, 33/18 ratio

8. Steve Reed: 65 games, 2.99 ERA, 65 IP, 42/19 ratio

9. Rheal Cormier: 68 games, 3.50 ERA, 75 IP, 54/28 ratio

10. Jose Mesa: 68 games, 4.25 ERA, 68 IP, 49/30 ratio

[Cartman]

Williamson is haveing TJ surgery so he won't be pitching for anyone in 2005.