Week 5 Relief Rankings

In this week's rankings I'm going to show where the pitchers are on the player rater.  Many players I have ranked much higher simply because they've been pitching well but the hold and save chances just haven't been there yet.  Unless we're talking about a really bad team like the Marlins or Astros, those chances will come.  Also, some pitchers haven't pitched very well this year, like Drew Storen, but they have a long enough track record where they should still be trusted.  Lastly, you'll find a lot of guys on the bubble and at the end of the rankings who have pitched very well this year but don't have much track record of being this good.  These are guys to keep an eye on but not get too excited about.  Top 50 are in bold and green or red indicates significant movement from last week's rankings.

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atl (18)
2. Aroldis Chapman, Cin (6)
3. Mariano Rivera, NYY (15)
4. Jonathan Papelbon, Phi (60)
5. Joe Nathan, Tex (23)
6. Kenley Jansen, LAD (12)
7. Sergio Romo, SF (11)
8. Rafael Soriano, Was (32)
9. Andrew Bailey, Bos (1)
10. David Robertson, NYY (47)
11. Glen Perkins, Min (27)
12. Fernando Rodney, TB (102)
13. Ernesto Frieri, LAA (89)
14. Jim Johnson, Bal (2)
15. Tom Wilhelmsen, Sea (10)
16. Addison Reed, CWS (9)
17. Eric O'Flaherty, Atl (7)
18. Vinnie Pestano, Cle (76)
19. Ryan Cook, Oak (51)
20. Grant Balfour, Oak (100)
21. Huston Street, SD (103)
22. David Hernandez, Ari (36)
23. Rafael Betancourt, Col (13)
24. Mike Adams, Phi (99)
25. Greg Holland, KC (45)
26. Jason Grilli, Pit (4)
27. Luke Gregerson, SD (22)
28. Kelvim Herrera, KC (26)
29. Drew Storen, Was (119)
30. Casey Janssen, Tor (24)
31. J.J. Putz, Ari (29)
32. Santiago Casilla, SF (31)
33. Brandon League, LAD (34)
34. Mark Melancon, Pit (3)
35. Jim Henderson, Mil (8)
36. Jared Burton, Min (30)
37. Koji Uehara, Bos (21)
38. Chris Perez, Cle (73)
39. Joaquin Benoit, Det (52)
40. Tyler Clippard, Was (67)
41. Sean Marshall, Cin (109)
42. Bobby Parnell, NYM (46)
43. Jose Valverde, Det (108)
44. Edward Mujica, Stl (17)
45. Jonathan Broxton, Cin (146)
46. Steve Cishek, Mia (90)
47. Joel Hanrahan, Bos
48. Darren O'Day, Bal (16)
49. Matt Thornton, CWS (78)
50. Trevor Rosenthal, Stl (55)
51. Joel Peralta, TB (43)
52. Rex Brothers, Col (40)
53. Sean Doolittle, Oak (61)
54. Aaron Crow, KC (70)
55. Matt Belisle, Col (20)
56. Jose Veras, Hou (141)
57. Tanner Scheppers, Tex (19)
58. John Axford, Mil (113)
59. Carter Capps, Sea (44)
60. Joba Chamberlain, NYY (112)
61. Junichi Tazawa, Bos (5)
62. Kevin Gregg, ChC (105)
63. James Russell, ChC (25)
64. Dale Thayer, SD (57)
65. Carlos Marmol, ChC (68)
66. Antonio Bastardo, Phi (49)
67. Brad Ziegler, Ari (28)
68. Tony Watson, Pit (14)
69. Tim Collins, KC (39)
70. Joe Smith, Cle (56)
71. Bruce Rondon, Det
72. Ronald Belisario, LAD (37)
73. Tom Gorzelanny (41)
74. Al Alburquerque, Det (42)
75. Brandon Lyon, NYM (72)

On the bubble: Heath Bell (Ari-77), Brett Cecil (Tor-33), Jesse Crain (CWS-48), Steve Delabar (Tor-80), Darin Downs (Det-71), Mike Dunn (Mia-50), Casey Fien (Min-104), Matt Lindstron (CWS-85), Aaron Loup (Tor-64) Brian Matusz (Bal-38), Jake McGee (TB-135), Joe Ortiz (Tex-63), Matt Reynolds (Ari-35), Paco Rodriguez (LAD-83), Robbie Ross (Tex-66),  Jordan Walden (Atl-131)

Top 10 Inactive Pitchers

1. Ryan Madson, LAA (early May)
2. Kyuji Fujikawa, ChC (early May)
3. Jonny Venters, Atl (late May)
4. Stephen Pryor, Sea (62) (unknown)
5. Frank Francisco, NYM (early May)
6. Joakim Soria, KC (early July)
7. Sergio Santos, Tor (140) (unknown)
8. Jason Motte, Stl (unknown)
9. Sean Burnett, LAA (94) (mid-May)
10. Jeremy Affeldt, SF (134) (early May

Deep League Offensive Pick-ups

Tonight is a good night to go through each position and see what the best options are at 5% or less ownership in ESPN leagues.  Most of the stuff out there is geared towards shallower leagues, which doesn't really help you if you're playing in a 14+ league.

Catchers

A.J. Ellis (1.1%) - Ellis was a top 10 catcher last year in OBP leagues and he's still getting no respect.  Last year he finished 14th on the 6x6 player rater and he's off to a good start again this year, minus the counting stats.

Carlos Ruiz (4.3%) - The suspension is almost over and he could be ready to join the team this Sunday.  Last year he was 4th on the player rater.

Next best options: Chris Ianneta, Alex Avila, Russell Martin, Francisco Cervelli

First-base

James Loney (0.4%) - I realize nobody wants him because he doesn't hit for power, but he's more valuable than a platoon bat who's going to have 10-20 HR and hit .220.  He's 28 with a career .283 batting average.  I'll take that over a guy fighting for at-bats.

Next best options: Todd Helton, Chris Parmelee, Justin Smoak, Mitch Moreland

Second-base

Darwin Barney (0.7%) - He will play everyday and he shouldn't hurt your batting average.  I'm not recommending him over any batter owned in more than 5% of leagues but if you're desperate he's a solid option.

Next best options: Chris Nelson, Eric Sogard, Maicer Izturis

Third-base

Lonnie Chisenhall (2.0%) - Options are pretty thin after Chisenhall but Lonnie is a solid option who will play everyday and hit for some power.  He's struggled early in his career hitting .256 in 403 at-bats, but he's only 24 and those numbers should improve.

Next best options: Chris Nelson, Connor Gillaspie, Matt Dominguez, Maicer Izturis

Shortstop

Eduardo Nunez (2.0%) - He doesn't even have a full season's worth of at-bats yet in his career but he should play everyday, hit a few homers and steal some bases.

Stephen Drew (2.9%) - He's off to a slow start but I'm not concerned as long as he's playing everyday.

Next best options: Yunel Escobar, Eric Sogard, Maicer Izturis

Outfielders

Peter Bourjos (3.3%) - He's leading off for the Angels, hitting in front of Mike Trout.  As long as he's doing that it doesn't matter what he's hitting, although he is hitting .302 with 2 HR.  He'll score plenty of runs and steal a good amount of bases.

Cody Ross (2.3%) - It's easy to forget about a guy who starts the season on the DL but he's back and worth being owned.

David DeJesus (1.4%) - Here's another forgotten lead-off hitter.  He had a slow start but has rebounded nicely with three home runs in the last ten games.

Nolan Reimold (0.6%) - Reimold has been largely forgotten because he missed most of last season but he's playing most everyday and has a good amount of power potential.

Next best options: Carlos Quentin, Drew Stubbs, Jeff Francoeur, A.J. Pollock, Matt Joyce, Chris Parmelee

Week 4 Relief Rankings

Bos - It doesn't surprise me much that there's three relievers in the top thirty and none of them are Joel Hanrahan, but I didn't expect one of them to be Tazawa and I don't expect it to continue.  Andrew Bailey is the number one player right now and it shouldn't surprise anyone because this isn't the first time he's been this good.  Trade for him if you can.

Pit - I am surprised that there are two Pirates in the top ten.  Pirates should have a lot of close games and if Grilli and Melancon can keep pitching well they'll end up as very nice bargains.

Cin - I put Sean Marshall on the list because he should be back this week and because I was running out of room on my inactive list.  If all goes well he should be in the top half of the list next week.  And since we're on the subject, Broxton has had slow starts before so don't be too worried.

Phi - There hasn't been a hold yet in Philly but don't be too worried.

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atl
2. Aroldis Chapman, Cin
3. Mariano Rivera, NYY
4. Jonathan Papelbon, Phi
5. Joe Nathan, Tex
6. Sergio Romo, SF
7. Rafael Soriano, Was
8. Kenley Jansen, LAD
9. Glen Perkins, Min
10. Andrew Bailey, Bos
11. Fernando Rodney, TB
12. David Robertson, NYY
13. Ernesto Frieri, LAA
14. Jim Johnson, Bal
15. Tom Wilhelmsen, Sea
16. Vinnie Pestano, Cle
17. Ryan Cook, Oak
18. Addison Reed, CWS
19. Grant Balfour, Oak
20. Eric O'Flaherty, Atl
21. Huston Street, SD
22. J.J. Putz, Ari
23. David Hernandez, Ari
24. Mike Adams, Phi
25. Rafael Betancourt, Col
26. Greg Holland, KC
27. Kelvim Herrera, KC
28. Drew Storen, Was
29. Luke Gregerson, SD
30. Chris Perez, Cle
31. Jason Grilli, Pit
32. Brandon League, LAD
33. Casey Janssen, Tor
34. Koji Uehara, Bos
35. Santiago Casilla, SF
36. Mark Melancon, Pit
37. Jim Henderson, Mil
38. Jared Burton, Min
39. Jonathan Broxton, Cin
40. Joaquin Benoit, Det
41. Tyler Clippard, Was
42. Bobby Parnell, NYM
43. Edward Mujica, Stl
44. Steve Cishek, Mia
45. Matt Thornton, CWS
46. Trevor Rosenthal, Stl
47. Joel Peralta, TB
48. Darren O'Day, Bal
49. James Russell, ChC
50. Joba Chamberlain, NYY
51. Sean Doolittle, Oak
52. Rex Brothers, Col
53. Carter Capps, Sea
54. Aaron Crow, KC
55. Matt Belisle, Col
56. Joe Smith, Cle
57. Brandon Lyon, NYM
58. Phil Coke, Det
59. Jose Veras, Hou
60. Mitchell Boggs, Stl
61. Dale Thayer, SD
62. Tanner Scheppers, Tex
63. Matt Lindstrom, CWS
64. Tim Collins, KC
65. John Axford, Mil
66. Aaron Loup, Tor
67. Jordan Walden, Atl
68. Carlos Marmol, ChC
69. Al Alburquerque, Det
70. Sean Burnett, LAA
71. Steve Delabar, Tor
72. Antonio Bastardo, Phi
73. Junichi Tazawa, Bos
74. Sean Marshall, Cin
75. Brad Ziegler, Ari

On the bubble: Hector Ambriz (Hou), Heath Bell (Ari), Brett Cecil (Tor), Octavio Dotel (Det), Darin Downs (Det), Mike Dunn (Mia), Wilton Lopez (Col), Jake McGee (TB), Robbie Ross (Tex), Tony Watson (Pit), Wesley Wright (Hou)

Don't be afraid to drop Jason Motte in yearly leagues if you need the roster space.  He's a top thirty reliever when healthy easily, but we have no idea if or when he comes back and there's plenty of other solid options out there.  For the same reason I also moved Venters down a few spots.  At this point, a near return is more important than a high ceiling.

Top 10 Inactive Pitchers

1. Ryan Madson, LAA
2. Kyuji Fujikawa, ChC
3. Joel Hanrahan, Bos
4. Joakim Soria, KC
5. Frank Francisco, NYM
6. Jose Valverde, Det
7. Stephen Pryor, Sea
8. Jonny Venters, Atl
9. Sergio Santos, Tor
10. Bruce Rondon, Det

Week 3 Relief Rankings

I posted a few links on the side of some decent relief articles, but remember most of the stuff you're going to find is targeted primarily for 5x5 leagues and is overly concerned about who is and who isn't going to be to getting the next save.  While that's still important in 6x6 leagues, it's not everything.

Bal - Don't forget about Pedro Strop if you're in a dynasty league, but Darren O'Day is the guy you want right now.  O'Day has had three seasons with 20+ holds and seems likely to surpass his career high of 22.

ChC - Shawn Camp received the first save opportunity for the Cubs after Fujikawa's injury and came one strike away from securing the victory but ultimately failed.  I like Russell a little more at this point but this bullpen is almost as ugly Houston's.

KC - Generally if there's bullpen controversy you would want to stay away but I want both Holland and Herrera right now.

Tex - I thought they would be using Jason Frasor in the set-up role but they have decided to go with a mix of their young, unproven relievers.  For now, Ross and Scheppers appear to be the top two set-up options.

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atl
2. Aroldis Chapman, Cin
3. Jonathan Papelbon, Phi
4. Mariano Rivera, NYY
5. Joe Nathan, Tex
6. Rafael Soriano, Was
7. Sergio Romo, SF
8. Kenley Jansen, LAD
9. Fernando Rodney, TB
10. David Robertson, NYY
11. Glen Perkins, Min
12. Ernesto Frieri, LAA
13. Andrew Bailey, Bos
14. Jim Johnson, Bal
15. Huston Street, SD
16. Vinnie Pestano, Cle
17. Ryan Cook, Oak
18. Addison Reed, CWS
19. Grant Balfour, Oak
20. J.J. Putz, Ari
21. Tom Wilhelmsen, Sea
22. David Hernandez, Ari
23. Mike Adams, Phi
24. Greg Holland, KC
25. Kelvim Herrera, KC
26. Drew Storen, Was
27. Luke Gregerson, SD
28. Jonathan Broxton, Cin
29. Chris Perez, Cle
30. Rafael Betancourt, Col
31. Eric O'Flaherty, Atl
32. Jason Grilli, Pit
33. Tyler Clippard, Was
34. Brandon League, LAD
35. Joaquin Benoit, Det
36. Casey Janssen, Tor
37. Joel Hanrahan, Bos
38. Koji Uehara, Bos
39. Jared Burton, Min
40. Santiago Casilla, SF
41. Jim Henderson, Mil
42. Steve Cishek, Mia
43. Bobby Parnell, NYM
44. Matt Thornton, CWS
45. Trevor Rosenthal, Stl
46. Mitchell Boggs, Stl
47. Joel Peralta, TB
48. Mark Melancon, Pit
49. Edward Mujica, Stl
50. Darren O'Day, Bal
51. Carter Capps
52. James Russell, ChC
53. Phil Coke, Det
54. Dale Thayer, SD
55. Steve Delabar, Tor
56. Shawn Camp, ChC
57. Joba Chamberlain, NYY
58. Sean Doolittle, Oak
59. Jose Veras, Hou
60. Rex Brothers, Col
61. Aaron Crow, KC
62. Matt Belisle, Col
63. Tim Collins, KC
64. Jake McGee, TB
65. Joe Smith, Cle
66. Tanner Scheppers, Tex
67. Matt Lindstrom, CWS
68. John Axford, Mil
69. Octavio Dotel, Det
70. Brandon Lyon, NYM
71. Jon Rauch, Mia
72. Jeremy Affeldt, SF
73. Andrew Cashner, SD
74. Aaron Loup, Tor
75. Pedro Strop, Bal

On the bubble: Antonio Bastardo (Phi), Heath Bell (Ari), Sean Burnett (LAA), Mike Dunn (Mia), Wilton Lopez (Col), Carlos Marmol (ChC), Robbie Ross (Tex), Jordan Walden (Atl)

Top 10 Inactive Pitchers

1. Ryan Madson, LAA
2. Jonny Venters, Atl
3. Kyuji Fujikawa, ChC
4. Joakim Soria, KC
5. Sean Marshall, Cin
6. Bruce Rondon, Det
7. Stephen Pryor, Sea
8. Sergio Santos, Tor
9. Jose Valverde, Det
10. Frank Francisco, NYM

Week 2 Relief Rankings

ChC - Lots of closers have stuggled, but in such a small sample size you shouldn't be too worried about it unless they lose their job like Carlos Marmol has. If you're chasing holds, you can grab Shawn Camp or James Russel, but they won't provide much else.

KC - It doesn't bother me that Greg Holland has struggled as much as it bothers me that he was pulled after giving up a few base runners.  Holland will still get saves but it appears he might have to share some too.

Hou - There hasn't been an actual save situation yet in Houston (Erik Bedard's save doesn't count) but Jose Veras hasn't looked well when he's been used.  Stay away from this situation if you can as there won't be very many holds or saves to go around.

Col - It appears like Rex Brothers is the pitcher to own here after Betancourt and even Matt Belisle appears to be ahead of Wilton Lopez at this point.

Det - My prediction for the top three seems to be accurate but Benoit seems to have won the job and the next best pitcher at the end of the season is probably not on the active roster yet.

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atl
2. Aroldis Chapman, Cin
3. Jonathan Papelbon, Phi
4. Mariano Rivera, NYY
5. Fernando Rodney, TB
6. Joe Nathan, Tex
7. Rafael Soriano, Was
8. Sergio Romo, SF
9. Kenley Jansen, LAD
10. David Robertson, NYY
11. Huston Street, SD
12. Glen Perkins, Min
13. Ernesto Frieri, LAA
14. Jim Johnson, Bal
15. Drew Storen, Was
16. Vinnie Pestano, Cle
17. Ryan Cook, Oak
18. Addison Reed, CWS
19. Grant Balfour, Oak
20. J.J. Putz, Ari
21. Andrew Bailey, Bos
22. Tom Wilhelmsen, Sea
23. David Hernandez, Ari
24. John Axford, Mil
25. Mike Adams, Phi
26. Tyler Clippard, Was
27. Luke Gregerson, SD
28. Jonathan Broxton, Cin
29. Chris Perez, Cle
30. Joel Hanrahan, Bos
31. Rafael Betancourt, Col
32. Eric O'Flaherty, Atl
33. Brandon League, LAD
34. Kyuji Fujikawa, ChC
35. Greg Holland, KC
36. Jason Grilli, Pit
37. Joaquin Benoit, Det
38. Casey Janssen, Tor
39. Kelvim Herrera, KC
40. Steve Cishek, Mia
41. Koji Uehara, Bos
42. Jared Burton, Min
43. Santiago Casilla, SF
44. Bobby Parnell, NYM
45. Sergio Santos, Tor
46. Sean Marshall, Cin
47. Matt Thornton, CWS
48. Stephen Pryor, Sea
49. Mitchell Boggs, Stl
50. Joel Peralta, TB
51. Jim Henderson, Mil
52. Jake McGee, TB
53. Heath Bell, Ari
54. Carter Capps, Sea
55. Jose Veras, Hou
56. Joba Chamberlain, NYY
57. Mark Melancon, Pit
58. Octavio Dotel, Det
59. Phil Coke, Det
60. Jon Rauch, Mia
61. Pedro Strop, Bal
62. Trevor Rosenthal, Stl
63. Dale Thayer, SD
64. Steve Delabar, Tor
65. Sean Burnett, LAA
66. Sean Doolittle, Oak
67. Jason Frasor, Tex
68. Rex Brothers, Col
69. Aaron Crow, KC
70. Matt Belisle, Col
71. Tim Collins, KC
72. Jordan Walden, Atl
73. Joe Smith, Cle
74. Tanner Scheppers, Tex
75. Edward Mujica, Stl

On the bubble: Jeremy Affeldt(SF), Shawn Camp(ChC), Kevin Jepsen (LAA), Wilton Lopez (Col), Brandon Lyon (NYM), Carlos Marmol (ChC), James Russell (ChC), Wesley Wright (Hou)

Top 10 Pitchers Worth Stashing

1. Jason Motte
2. Ryan Madson
3. Jonny Venters
4. Bruce Rondon
5. Jose Valverde
6. Joakim Soria
7. Frank Francisco
8. Brian Wilson
9. Marcus Stroman
10. Daniel Bard