Week 14 Relief Rankings

J.J. Putz and Rafael Betancourt are back and their value should be pretty much the same as before once they shake the rust off.  It's possible they anoint Brothers as they're closer but that shouldn't affect Betancourt's value in a holds league much, if any.  Putz's job security is very strong considering the recent struggles of both Bell and Hernandez.  Chris Perez is also back but I really don't care and neither should you.

Three names that have been red-hot lately that you'll want to get to know:  Neil Cotts, Tommy Hunter, and Jordan Walden.  I'm buying Walden and Hunter, but Cotts' chances of sustaining seem unlikely with Scheppers still the top dog after Nathan and Joakim Soria coming back soon to make that bullpen even more crowded.  Another interesting name to see in the top ten for the last thirty days is Steve Cishek, who is no longer in the discussion for worst closers.

If you're in a league with just saves you need to pay close attention to potential moves at the trade deadline, but I think that's less of a concern in this type of league.  It's possible a player's value will move 5-10 spots but it's unlikely a closer or set-up man would be traded into a situation where he wasn't being used for either of those options.

Red and Green represents a significant change in ranking.  The 29 closers are in bold.

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atl 
2. Joe Nathan, Tex
3. Mariano Rivera, NYY
4. Aroldis Chapman, Cin
5. Kenley Jansen, LAD
6. Mark Melancon, Pit
7. David Robertson, NYY
8. Jonathan Papelbon, Phi
9. Jason Grilli, Pit
10. Glen Perkins, Min
11. Rafael Soriano, Was
12. Grant Balfour, Oak
13. Greg Holland, KC
14. Sergio Romo, SF
15. Casey Janssen, Tor
16. Ernesto Frieri, LAA
17. Luke Gregerson, SD
18. Rex Brothers, Col
19. Addison Reed, CWS
20. Trevor Rosenthal, Stl
21. Jim Johnson, Bal
22. Edward Mujica, Stl
23. J.J. Putz, Ari
24. Rafael Betancourt, Col
25. Koji Uehara, Bos
26. Fernando Rodney, TB
27. Joaquin Benoit, Det
28. Jesse Crain, CWS
29. Tyler Clippard, Was
30. Tanner Scheppers, Tex
31. Huston Street, SD
32. Vinnie Pestano, Cle
33. Steve Cishek, Mia
34. Jared Burton, Min
35. Bobby Parnell, NYM
36. Jose Veras, Hou
37. Joel Peralta, TB
38. Junichi Tazawa, Bos
39. Ryan Cook, Oak
40. Tommy Hunter, Bal
41. Chris Perez, Cle
42. Jake McGee, TB
43. Jordan Walden, Atl
44. John Axford, Mil
45. Kevin Gregg, ChC
46. Francisco Rodriguez, Mil
47. Tom Wilhelmsen, Sea
48. Drew Storen, Was
49. Darren O'Day, Bal
50. Aaron Crow, KC
51. Oliver Perez, Sea
52. Jim Henderson, Mil
53. Drew Smyly, Det
54. David Hernandez, Ari
55. Robbie Ross, Tex
56. Luis Avilan, Atl
57. Sean Doolittle, Oak
58. Dale Thayer, SD
59. Brett Cecil, Tor
60. Matt Thornton, CWS
61. Andrew Bailey, Bos
62. Neil Cotts, Tex
63. Kevin Jepsen, LAA
64. Brad Ziegler, Ari
65. Heath Bell, Ari
66. Blake Parker, ChC
67. Joe Smith, Cle
68. Yoervis Medina, Sea
69. Jeremy Affeldt, SF
70. Scott Downs, LAA
71. Tony Watson, Pit
72. Mike Dunn, Mia
73. Steve Delabar, Tor
74. Tim Collins, KC
75. Jose Cisnero, Hou

On the bubble:  David Aardsma (NYM), Hector Ambriz (Hou), Antonio Bastardo (Phi), Matt Belisle (Col), Jerry Blevins (Oak), Craig Breslow (Bos), Carter Capps (SEA), Steve Delabar (Tor), Casey Fien (Min), Nate Jones (CWS), Brandon League (LAD), Aaron Loup (Tor), Andrew Miller (Bos), James Russell (ChC), Paco Rodriguez (LAD), Bruce Rondon (Det), Alfredo Simon (Cin), Justin Wilson (Pit)

 

Top 10 Inactive Pitchers (expected return in parenthesis)

1. Santiago Casilla, SF (early July)
2. Stephen Pryor, Sea (July)
3. Sean Marshall, Cin (July)
4. Joakim Soria, Tex (early July)
5. Ryan Madson, LAA (July)
6. Sergio Santos, Tor (late July)
7. Jonathan Broxton, Cin (unknown)
8. Frank Francisco (July)
9. Brett Myers, Cle (mid-July)
10. Sean Burnett (August)