Position Review: Relief Pitchers
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Best W Source: 8 Pitchers [3]
Best SV Source: Francisco Rodriguez [12]
Best K Source: Carlos Marmol [28]
Best ERA Source: Chad Qualls [16.7 IP of 0.00 ERA]
Best WHIP Source: James Johnson [15.3 IP of 0.46 WHIP]
Thoughts on the Top 10:
- Jonathan Papelbon-$25.59-Just Papelbon being Papelbon. Buy.
- Mariano Rivera-$25.06-I must have pissed him off when I sold on him last week, as he's gained $6.21 of value in the past week thanks to 3 scoreless IP with 4 K and 2 SVs. I'm kind of torn on buying on a 38 year old closer, but if I had to, I'd take the gamble on Rivera. Buy.
- Joakim Soria-$24.92-Easily the best surprise RP of the season, he hasn't allowed a run in 12 IP, struck out 15 batters, and logged 7 SVs. He's poised to become one of the elite closers in the game; one hell of a Rule V draft pick. Buy.
- Carlos Marmol-$21.23-A little shocking to see a non-closer this high, but looking at his production, it makes sense. He's had 21 IP of 1.29 ERA with a 0.67 WHIP and a 12.0 K/9. Although Lou Pinella is standing by Kerry Wood, Marmol is certainly not hurting his case with the kind of production he's showing. Regardless, I doubt he maintains this value without a change to the closers role. Sell.
- Billy Wagner-$20.93-Just Billy being Billy. Buy.
- Troy Percival-$18.64-The Rays are managing him wisely, limiting his IP load to 10 thus far. There's no real science behind my skepticism on Percival, but it still exists. Sell.
- Joe Nathan-$18.20-Just Joe being Joe. Buy.
- Brad Lidge-$17.38-Lidge is doing his part to give credence to the "change of scenery" argument that goes with certain transactions. He looks like the Brad Lidge I remember from the pre-Pujolian era. Buy.
- Brandon Lyon-$16.70-He hasn't given up an ER in 12 outings since April 6. Lyon is one of the reasons why the D-Backs have been as good as they've been. Can he maintain it? He's certainly trending in the right direction, and has the right team behind him. Buy.
- Chad Qualls-$13.75-He hasn't given up an ER in 16.2 IP as a D-Back this season. It's still difficult to imagine him maintaining this value without closing, and Brandon Lyon is certainly off of the hot seat. Sell.
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