Z - MLB Positional Outlook

Relief Pitchers Outlook

August 31, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green

RELIEF PITCHERS

Table: Do not bench list

Player	Team	Player	Team
Bobby Jenks	CHW	Mariano Rivera	NYY
Jonathan Papelbon	BOS	Joe Borowski	CLE
Joe Nathan	MIN	Brett Myers	PHI
J.J. Putz	SEA	Brad Lidge	HOU
Takashi Saito	LAD	Chad Cordero	WAS
Billy Wagner	NYM	Brad Hennessey	SF
Jose Valverde	ARI	Joakim Soria	KC
Francisco Rodriguez	LAA	Kevin Gregg	FLA
Jeremy Accardo	TOR	Ryan Dempster	CHC
C.J. Wilson	TEX	Todd Jones	DET
Manny Corpas	COL	Matt Capps	PIT
Trevor Hoffman	SD	Al Reyes	TB
Francisco Cordero	MIL	David Weathers	CIN
Jason Isringhausen	STL	Huston Street	OAK

UPPER ECHELON

Rafael Soriano, Atlanta Braves

Schedule: 6 games - PHI (3), WSH (3)

Analysis: The revolving door at closer in Atlanta appears to have finally settled on Soriano after the team designated former closer Bob Wickman for assignment. Soriano has not been as dominant this year as he was with the Mariners in 2006 but he is still putting up solid numbers. He has a total of 19 holds, good for eighth in the National League, which speaks to his ability to preserve leads. With him getting the save opportunities now he should be able to build off his six saves this season. He is also a streaky pitcher and has the ability to string together outstanding appearances, as he did in May when he posted a 0.77 ERA and four saves as the setup man. With saves hard to come by, Soriano is worth starting or picking up for the time being.

Octavio Dotel, Atlanta Braves

Schedule: 6 games - PHI (3), WSH (3)

Analysis: Although he is still on the disabled list, Dotel could be worth picking up as he is getting closer to making his return. When he is healthy, Dotel is a solid pitcher, both for your fantasy team and the Braves. In limited time with the Royals this year (29 1/3 innings), he has 34 strikeouts and 11 saves. His four blown saves and 4.61 ERA were worrying signs, but at a hard-to-find position, he is someone who can put up numbers for you. He has thrown just 4 1/3 innings for the Braves, blowing one save and posting an 8.31 ERA. However, he should be in the mix for the closer's role when he comes off the disabled list. If you are in need of saves, consider him strongly.

Pat Neshek, Minnesota Twins

Schedule: 6 games - CLE (3), @CWS (3)

Analysis: Neshek may not be closing games in Minnesota, however, if you are looking for WHIP, ERA and strikeouts then look no further. On the season he has a 2.50 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 68 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings. Neshek has struggled a bit in August, posting a 5.06 ERA in 10 2/3 innings, though he made three scoreless appearances last week. If you are not looking for saves, consider picking Neshek as he should help lower your team ERA and WHIP, while providing strikeouts.

Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers

Schedule: 7 games - @CHC (4), @SF (3)

Analysis: Like Neshek, Broxton is not going to get many save opportunities with closer Takashi Saito around; however, with a 1.13 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP this month, he is worth taking a look at. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound right-hander also has 19 strikeouts over 16 innings in August, including three in four scoreless outings in past week spanning 4 2/3 innings. That carried over from his dominant July, when he had an ERA of 0.69, a 1.08 WHIP and 16 strikeouts. If you want to improve your ERA, WHIP or any other stat but saves, Broxton would be worth picking up.

Danys Baez, Baltimore Orioles

Schedule: 7 games - @TB (3), BOS (4)

Analysis: With a 6.20 ERA, a 1.51 WHIP and just 27 strikeouts this season, one might wonder what business Baez has doing up this high on the list. However, for one reason or another, the Orioles have decided to rely on Baez to close games out this season (sorry Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford et al.), and gone with the most experienced relief pitcher on their roster. Baez does have 113 saves over his career, most of them coming with the Devil Rays. Thus, the only reason you should consider Baez is if you are hard-pressed for saves. He does have two this month, to go along with his 7.45 ERA and 2.07 WHIP, though he blew his lone save opportunity last week. If you can handle the hit your ERA and WHIP will take, he might be worth looking at. But don't set your expectations too high.

Joaquin Benoit, Texas Rangers

Schedule: 6 games - KC (3), OAK (3)

Analysis: If you are looking for both a low ERA and possible save opportunities, then Benoit could be your man. So far in August, Benoit has yet to allow one run in 14 2/3 innings, earning a win and a save in the past week. He also has a 0.75 WHIP and 21 strikeouts. He might not be the closer yet, but with the way he is pitching, he should provide you with a boost in each category, with the upside that he can pick up saves.

MIDRANGE

Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs

Schedule: 7 games - LAD (4), @PIT (3)

Analysis: Many have tapped Cubs relief pitcher Kerry Wood as the team's closer of the future; however, Marmol is putting up numbers that could have some re-considering that position. So far this season, Marmol has a 1.53 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and an astonishing 72 strikeouts in just 53 innings. He has been slightly better in August with a 1.26 ERA and 19 strikeouts. Marmol is not getting many save opportunities (he has blown one this month), but if you are in need of strikeouts or ERA, he is someone who should be considered strongly.

Alan Embree, Oakland Athletics

Schedule: 6 games - @LAA (3), @TEX (3)

Analysis: After a 0.96 ERA in July, Embree has come back down to earth this month. In 15 1/3 innings pitched, he has allowed seven runs (4.11 ERA) and has a 1.17 WHIP. What makes him valuable is that the Athletics don't like pitching closer Huston Street on back-to-back days. Street has also been struggling since his return from the disabled list, posting a 7.36 ERA in July and a 3.00 ERA in August. As well, manager Bob Geren has stated he wants to use both Embree and Street in save situations until Street shows he can handle closing duties on a nightly basis. With two home runs given up in the ninth Wednesday, Aug. 29, it looks like that is still a little ways off. Embree struggled himself two nights earlier, allowing three runs and taking the loss Aug. 27. Embree still has decent value, but keep an eye on the situation as that could increase if he is given more of Street's save opportunities.

Brandon Morrow, Seattle Mariners

Schedule: 6 games - @NYY (3), @DET (3)

Analysis: The 2006 first-round draft pick has shown he has staying power in the majors this season. In 48 appearances as the setup man for closer J.J. Putz, Morrow has posted a 3.25 ERA, a 1.59 WHIP and 57 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings pitched. While his WHIP may be high, he had a streak of 15 consecutive scoreless outings (covering 17 innings) snapped when he yielded four runs on Aug. 28. The team may be struggling now, so don't expect many wins, but with his potential, Morrow is someone who could be a solid addition to your team in the stretch run. Consider him if you need help in ERA and strikeouts.

OTHERS FOR CONSIDERATION

Hideki Okajima, Boston Red Sox

Schedule: 7 games - TOR (3), @BAL (4)

Analysis: The other man from Japan continues to steamroll hitters in his first major league season. His 2.70 August ERA is his worst month so far this season, but he is still posting a 1.00 WHIP and opposing batters are hitting just .194 against him. He doesn't have a great strikeout-rate (53 in 61 2/3 this season), but he has nine so far this month. He is behind both relief pitcher Eric Gagne and closer Jon Papelbon in Boston, however, manager Terry Francona will have no choice but to pitch him as long as he continues to put up those kind of numbers. If you need help in ERA and WHIP, Okajima should be able to provide it, but after pitching just one inning last week he is someone to keep an eye on to make sure he's getting steady work before plugging him into your lineup.

Luis Vizcaino, New York Yankees

Schedule: 6 games - SEA (3), @KC (3)

Analysis: Vizcaino could be a risky pick-up this late in the season. He has been pitching well in August with a 1.38 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 13 innings. However, despite his solid numbers, he could lose some playing time to relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain if the team decides to take him off the special “Joba Rules” of a day off for every inning pitched. That will likely depend on how the team is looking for the postseason. Either way, Vizcaino has solid value now, working three scoreless innings over the past week.

Fernando Rodney, Detroit Tigers

Schedule: 6 games - CWS (3), SEA (3)

Analysis: With Zumaya out most of the season, Rodney has been the team's first option as setup man. He struggled with that in June, posting a 7.36 ERA, but in nine appearances this month he has yet to allow one run. His ERA sits at 0.00 and his WHIP is a miniscule 0.60. He is also allowing opposing batters to hit just .097 against him. Until Zumaya shows he can pitch like he did last year, Rodney will continue to be the team's most dominant option out of the bullpen (moreso than closer Todd Jones, who has posted a 3.38 ERA this month). As long as you don't need the saves, Rodney would be a solid pick-up to give you a boost in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts.

Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs

Schedule: 7 games - LAD (4), @PIT (3)

Analysis: Wood finally made his long-awaited season debut this month. Despite a 3.86 ERA, Wood has only allowed runs in two of his nine outings, with three of the four runs allowed coming in one appearance. He still has a decent strikeout-rate with eight K's in 9 1/3 innings pitched. He worked just 1 2/3 innings this past week, allowing a run while fanning two. He isn't worth picking up just yet, but is someone to keep an eye on.

Eric Gagne, Boston Red Sox

Schedule: 7 games - TOR (3), @BAL (4)

Analysis: The Montreal-native appears to finally be turning a corner with the Red Sox. After allowing 10 runs in his first six innings with the team, he has thrown four straight scoreless innings, including two last week. Gagne stated that one of the reasons for his early struggles could have been a too-lively arm. Regardless, manager Terry Francona has always been in his corner and Gagne will continue to be used. When he is on, Gagne is a surefire starter for your fantasy team. He posted his best month this season in June, picking up six saves while posting an ERA of 1.50, a WHIP of 1.00 and 12 strikeouts. That speaks to his potential and if that is the Gagne who has finally shown up in Boston, he is worth considering for your fantasy team.

Joel Zumaya, Detroit Tigers

Schedule: 6 games - CWS (3), SEA (3)

Analysis: Zumaya has been slow to recover from his finger injury this month, posting an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 1.67 in just three innings pitched. Even manager Jim Leyland admitted that Zumaya's velocity is not quite there yet. Zumaya has the potential to be a top-end relief pitcher for your fantasy team, as evidenced by his 1.94 ERA and 97 strikeouts last year. But he is not that pitcher yet and until he gets back to throwing the 100-mph fastball he is known for, Zumaya should not be considered for your team. He worked just once last week, pitching 1 2/3 innings scoreless, so he remains merely a player to keep an eye on.

Tom Gordon, Philadelphia Phillies

Schedule: 6 games - @ATL (3), FLA (3)

Analysis: Gordon has been unable to reclaim his spot as the team's closer this season, and with their recent hot streak, it looks as though things could remain the same. Even if closer Brett Myers wasn't pitching well, Gordon has done little this month to show he wants to reclaim that spot. In 12 appearances, Gordon has posted an 8.38 ERA, a 1.76 WHIP and only six strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings pitched. He also has two blown saves. Gordon could be given the chance to close out a few games to save Myers' from being overused, but at this point; he has done little to show he is worth picking up. However, he did have two scoreless appearances in their series with the New York Mets and because of his past, he is a player worth keeping an eye on.

KEY PLAYERS ON DL

Rich Harden, Oakland Athletics - Out until September

Akinori Otsuka, Texas Rangers - Out until September

Mike Gonzalez, Atlanta Braves - Out for season

B.J. Ryan, Toronto Blue Jays - Out for season

Chris Ray, Baltimore Orioles - Out for season

Justin Duchscherer, Oakland Athletics - Out for season

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.