Relief pitching is quite the hot topic in fantasy baseball. Do we value it, how much? Do we punt saves altogther? Just how much is the Sandman worth?
I'm of the opinion that punting a category in a roto league is akin to trying to win Settlers of Catan without the largest army or longest road. In other words, start looking for that needle. In head-to-head formats, I still think you are better off with saves, but you don't necessarily have to leave the draft with them. You can acquire them throughout the year and as long as you are competitive there come playoff time (and your lack of relievers hasn't eliminated you already) you can compete. Keeping the difference in format in mind, I'm much more likely to pay the price for a RP in a roto league and have no probalem even starting the closer run if the time is right. It's all about value, and there is value in having the best relievers on your team.
Who are those relievers? This year, the bankable options are few and far between.
1. Mariano Rivera -- Easy call, you want guys who have zero chance of being replaced.
2. Jonathan Broxton -- The K's help
3. Jonathan Papelbon -- Should be good again in 2010, but now it gets dicey.
4. Francisco Cordero -- Call me crazy, but he is always healthy, and he'll have the job all year. Was fantastic in 2009.
5. Joakim Soria -- I worry about that shoulder from last year.
6. Heath Bell -- Likey to be traded, so saves after July 31 are no lock.
7. F. Rodriguez -- His arm scares me. Major risk, but, all the rest of these guys have risks. Better off grabbing cheaper options at this point.
8. J. Valverde -- Got the contract to close, but league and team switch is unknown variable.
9. L. Nunez -- I like his situation, major competition (Lindstrom) is gone.
10. D. Aardsma -- Can he do it again?
11. B. Fuentes -- Rodney lurks.
12. A. Bailey -- Wasn't highly touted, will the league catch up?
13. B. Wilson -- Has been a reliable source of saves for years. Fairly safe play, but will blow up occasionally and cause to to wonder what the crap you are doing with Brian Wilson on your team.
14. R. Soriano -- If I could guarantee health he'd be top five. If we had some ham we could have some ham and eggs, if we had some eggs.
15. B. Wagner -- Huge sleeper. He was good last September, now in Atlanta.
16. H. Street -- Already having injury issues. '09 was the peak, here comes the valley.
17. C. Qualls -- Now we are into the lets just draw a couple names out of a hat tier, they are all the same.
18. B. Jenks -- People have been hating since '06, yet he remains...
19. R. Franklin -- Stats were great, do you trust him? Could Jason Motte reappear? That would be fun.
20. F. Francisco -- Struggled with health in '09 second half.
21. T. Hoffman -- Has little left. Handcuff LaTroy if you have the roster space.
22. C. Marmol -- Sweet Lou can't stand the walks. Seems likely to be replaced.
23. M. Gonzalez -- The O's signed him to close.
24. O. Dotel -- I kind of like Dotel as a sleeper in the NL with the Pirates.
25. B. Lidge -- Not really an option for me.
26. B. Lyon -- He has Matt Lindstrom lurking, and he is Brandon Lyon.
27. M. Capps -- Drew Storen is on the come, they could split the saves for the year.
28. K. Gregg -- As could Gregg/Frasor/Downs.
29. M. Guerrier -- As could Guerrier et al in Minny.
30. K. Wood -- Which is still better than Kerry Wood! Chris Perez is likely to get some chances.
I don't rank middle relievers, as the leagues I play in don't really value them. Just make sure you know who the next guy in line for saves is for each of your closers and handcuff as needed if you have the roster space, particularily the ones mentioned toward the end of the list.
Cheers,
TFAM
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