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2011 Fantasy Baseball: Middle Reliever Options

26 March 2011


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Middle relievers don’t get the glory that starters or closers do, especially in fantasy baseball, but they can lower your ERA and WHIP while adding to your strikeouts without taxing your maximum innings pitched too heavily. Plus, if their closer gets hurt or is ineffective, you suddenly have a cheap closer.
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Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals:  Clippard had 11 wins last year for the Nationals and four in 2009. He also racked up 112 strikeouts in 91 innings pitched to go along with a 3.07 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. He could also earn some save opportunities if Drew Storen struggles.  Clippard has 179 strikeouts, a 2.91 ERA, and a 1.18 WHIP over the past two years.
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Jonny Venters, Atlanta Braves:  Like Clippard, Venters will try to bridge the gap between the starter and an unproven closer. In his case it’s Craig Kimbrel. Venters could find himself in the closer role at some point. Even if he doesn’t, Venters could be useful to fantasy owners. Last year he won four games, sported a 1.95 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and struck out 93 batters in 83 innings.
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Matt Belisle and Rafael Betancourt, Colorado Rockies:  Belisle  is a nice option because Huston Street can’t seem to make it through a season without getting hurt. Last year Belisle picked up seven wins, had  a 2.93 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and had 91 strikeouts in 92 innings. Belisle was ineffective prior to last year so regression is a concern. Betancourt had five wins, a 3.61 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts in 62-1/3 innings. He has 527 strikeouts, a 3.22 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and .220 BAA in 497-2/3 career innings.
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Sean Marshall, Chicago Cubs:  Marshall won seven games last year, had a 2.65 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and 90 strikeouts in 74-2/3 innings. Of course with Kerry Wood in the mix, he’s not as an attractive an option as last year.
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Luke Gregerson and Mike Adams, San Diego Padres:  Gregerson won four games last year while posting a 3.22 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts in 78-1/3 innings. He had a BAA of .170. Gregerson had nearly identical numbers in 2009 (3.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, .221 BAA, 93 Ks in 75 innings). Adams won four games last year with a 1.75 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, a .196 BAA, and 73 strikeouts in 66-2/3 innings. For his career he has a 2.31 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, .203 BAA, and 246 strikeout in 237-2/3 innings. Adams would likely take over closer responsibilities if Heath Bell were to be traded.
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Nick Masset, Cincinnati Reds:  Masset won four games last year with a 3.40 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts in 76-2/3 innings. He has 155 strikeouts in 152-2/3 innings over the past two years.
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Clay Hensley, Florida Marlins:  Hensley had three wins, a 2.16 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, a .200 BAA, and 77 strikeouts in 75 innings last year. He could take over the Marlins’ closer gig if Leo Nunez struggles.
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Daniel Bard, Boston Red Sox:  Bard had a 1.93 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, a .176 BAA, and 76 strikeouts in 74-2/3 innings last year. He has 139 strikeouts, a 2.61 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and a .197 BAA in 124 career innings. He could be in line, if he can hold off Bobby Jenks, for the Red Sox closer gig if Jonathan Papelbon struggles.
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Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers:  Benoit had 75 strikeouts, a 1.34 ERA, a 0.68 WHIP, and a .147 BAA in 60-1/3 innings last year. Jose Valverde struggled in the second half last year. Benoit could step in if he failed to return to form.
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Hong-Chih Kuo, Los Angeles Dodgers:  Kuo took over for Jonathan Broxton last year, racking up 12 saves to go along with his three wins, 1.20 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, .139 BAA, and 73 strikeouts in 60 innings. If Broxton falters again, Kuo could once again step in. Even if he doesn’t close, his 309 strikeouts in 265-1/3 career innings are useful.
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Ryan Madson, Philadelphia Phillies
Madson will open the season as the Phillies’ closer as Brad Lidge is on the D.L. Madson had He had five saves last year to go along with a 2.55 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts in 53 innings.
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Fantasy Baseball – Middle Relievers

1 April 2010

In deep leagues with inning caps middle relievers can play a role in your pitching landscape. They can get you some unexpected wins and saves. The elite ones can help lower your ERA & WHIP while adding to your strikeout total. Here are some relievers that can bolster your staff.

Jason Bulger, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Bulger racked up 68 Ks in 65-2/3 innings (9.3 K/9) last year with 6 wins, a save, a 3.56 ERA, and a 1.16 WHIP. He’s pitched well this spring posting a 1.29 ERA with 5 Ks in 7 innings.

Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals
Stephen Strausburg isn’t the only live young arm the Nationals possess. Clippard picked up 4 wins with 67 Ks (10 K/9) with a 2.69 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 60-1/3 innings last year. He has a 3.00 ERA this spring with 10 Ks in 9 innings.

Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres
Gregerson had 93 Ks in 75 innings (11.2 K/9) last year with 2 wins, a save, a 3.24 ERA, and a 1.24 WHIP. He’s dominated this spring with a 2.00 ERA, 2 saves, and 10 Ks in 8-2/3 innings. If Heath Bell were to be hurt or traded, Gregerson could assume the closer role.

J.P. Howell, Tampa Bay Rays
Howell did it all last year with 7 wins, 17 saves, 79 Ks, a 2.84 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP. Rafael Soriano was brought in to close, but Howell can step in if needed. His K/9 ratio that past two years were 10.7 and 9.3 respectively. He had 6 wins in 2008 to show last year’s number wasn’t fluky. Hold off on him until his shoulder issues are sorted out.

Fernando Rodney, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Rodney picked up 37 saves with the Tigers last year. If Brian Fuentes suffers from injury or ineffectiveness, Rodney is capable of stepping in. I’d probably hold off on grabbing him until either occur. His K/9 ratio (7.3) was down from the 10.9 and 9.6 he recorded in 2008 and 2007. Plus, he has a career WHIP of 1.42. He’s also struggled mightily this spring with a 12.47 ERA.

George Sherrill, Los Angeles Dodgers
Sherrill was brilliant for the Dodgers last  year after coming over from the Orioles. He posted a 0.65 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .192 BAA with a win, a save, and 22 Ks in 27-2/3 innings. His career K/9 ratio is 9.2. 

Robinson Tejada, Kansas City Royals
Tejada was a bright spot for the Royals last year with 4 wins, 87 Ks (10.6 K/9), a 3.54 ERA, and a 1.26 WHIP. He started six games last year, and could work his way into the rotation again. Gil Meche could start the season on the DL. Tejada could be an option, but Kyle Farnsworth is likely the replacement. Either way, Tejada has value. Tejada’s ERA (7.15) this spring isn’t pretty, but he does have 14 Ks in 11-1/3 innings.

Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox
Thornton was highly impressive last year picking up 6 wins, 4 saves, 87 Ks, a 2.74 ERA, and a 1.08 WHIP in 72-1/3 innings. His K/9 ratio that past two years (10.8 and 10.3) have been outstanding. He’s dominated this spring with a 1.42 ERA and 9 Ks in 6-1/3 innings. If Bobby Jenks were to go down, Thornton would likely step in.

Michael Wuertz, Oakland A’s
Wuertz was a dominant force last year racking up 6 wins, 4 saves, 102 Ks, a 2.63 ERA, and a 0.95 WHIP in 78-2/3 innings. He’s a nice compliment to a pitcher like Mark Buehrle, who had just 105 Ks in 213-1/3 innings. He could miss the start of the season with shoulder issues, but should return quickly.

 

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