With the start of the season comes a lot of uncertainty, specifically when it comes to bullpen usage around the league. Some teams are more transparent than others, but others won’t tip their hand until the games actually mean something. These reliever lists will be fairly volatile for the first month or so until situations become more clear. For now, these are the top 90 names who I feel could contribute in holds leagues early on in the season, with the back half being one big glob of question marks.
- The Andrew Miller worry is starting to get real, as his struggles with command, especially his slider, have carried over from spring training. I don’t see him regaining his 2014-2017 form any time soon, and while this group of relievers at the top is fairly wide open, I’m swapping him with someone who carries more upside. A.J. Minter is returning from the IL today and should be in the mix for saves right of the bat. The ranking may be aggressive but everyone in this upper tier has their flaws.
- Lou Trivino has probably taken over the eighth inning job from Joakim Soria, who has been brutal to begin the year. Trivino, on the other hand, has been great to start the season with a 7:1 K:BB ratio and just one hit allowed over six innings.
- Steve Cishek has been the Cubs’ best reliever so far this season and may be pushing Pedro Strop for save opportunities soon. At the very least, he has pushed Carl Edwards Jr. down in the pecking order. Edwards still continues to have command issues and can’t be trusted right now. He’s probably the best reliever equivalent to a Cherry Bomb out there.
- I’m pleasantly surprised to Joe Biagini used as a high leverage reliever in front of closer Ken Giles as he has the stuff to be effective in the role. He’s shown well so far with a 7:1 K:BB ratio and zero hits over 3.1 innings to go along with a hold.
- As tempting as it may be, I’d stay away from the Dodgers middle relievers for now. Pedro Baez and Joe Kelly are both off to shaky starts and aren’t necessary to own outside of the deepest formats.
What are your thoughts on Brasier vs Rogers in a league where saves are worth 8 and holds are worth 4 points? I agree with you that Rogers is the better reliever for holds, but is Brasier more likely to get saves?
Tough call. I think I’d lean Brasier in that format (more K and save upside) but it’s really close.
Isn’t it amazing that the Dodgers just can’t ever find a consistent 7/8 inning option? They have money and prospects, it shouldn’t be that hard. I wouldn’t be surprised if Caleb Ferguson becomes the top guy outside of Kenley, they seem to be pretty high on him.
They just dont seem to value that role like the rest of the league. I like Ferguson, and Cingrani when healthy but they paid Kelly but yea it’ll be interesting to see who gets the next shot in the 8th inning.
Yeah, I guess…. you would think they would get tired of losing in the playoffs because of at some point – its pretty hard to ignore the results!
You know who can’t be trusted… Trevor Rosenthal. He has single-handedly destroyed my team’s ratios to start the season. Love seeing a stat line of 3 appearances, 0IP, and INF ERA/WHIP. Dude has faced 7 batters and hasn’t even gotten an out yet! Is he even rosterable in a Holds league at this point? I don’t love the other options in the Nats pen but he has to have dropped in the pecking order, yeah?
Lol it’s a shame to see, especially considering his velo is still right where it was prior to his injury. He doesn’t need to be rostered at this point, as there are plenty of other servicable options. I think Justin Miller should get some more work in front of Doolittle at Rosenthals expense.
Looks like Cora will be splitting save opportunities between Barnes and Brasier. He couldn’t brought Barnes in last night and decided to go with Braiser. I own Barnes as one of my three RP. How many saves do you see him getting this year?
Cora decided to use Barnes against K Davis to preserve the tie game. It looks like Barnes will be 1A and Brasier 1B for saves with maybe a 60/40 split leaning in Barnes favor? That is of course pending on both pitching well and the Sox not bringing in any outside help.
So who gets more saves this year between Barnes and Jeffries when he returns? With Knebel out and a thinner bullpen the Brewers would probably prefer to move Hader back into the multi-inning role and go with Jeffries as the primary closer – assuming they don’t sign Kimbrel.
Tough one, but I still think I’d prefer Barnes for now. Hader will still get some saves even with Jeffress back, so the split could be similar between Barnes and Jeffress.
I agree. Barnes is like a poor mans Hader with that high K%.
Is there a single stat source to find out how many save opportunities Boston RP had during 2018?
In a save+holds leagues with limited RP slots. If I’m looking to pickup holds+elite ratios+innings pitched would the order be the same? Is there a standout here?
I’d say the list holds up pretty well to that with the exception being that K potential is more valued than innings pitched.
Was the Cishek blurb written before his appearance yesterday?
Yes haha, unfortunately didn’t have time to update this morning. I still like Cishek but last night hurt his save chances.
in a SVHD league, would you prefer Ottavino or Pressly ?
What are your thoughts on Junior Guerra? Three holds already and has that sweet Sp eligibility. I have him in a 16 team league