Attention American League shoppers!
There's a fresh meat bonanza in the bullpen!
A great variety of cuts! No coupons required!
FRESH MEAT:
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| 15.7 K/9?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?! |
RP Aroldis Chapman. Well, this worked out for us AL-onliers, didn't it? A trade to the Dodgers was scuttled after Chapman was involved in a domestic violence incident, but Cincinnati was able to regroup and ship him to the Yankees instead. Sure, he’ll be suspended for the first month or so. And I don't care. Look, just because he throws 100+ MPH doesn't make him great. A 15.7 K/9 ratio. THAT makes him great. Yep, he's one lean slice of meat! Chapman
earned $22 last year and immediately slots in as the top closer in the Junior Circuit. (
As a Red Sox fan, I do *not* approve this message.)
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| 13.2 K/9 ISN'T TOO BAD EITHER! |
Speaking of my hometown nine, this time last year, the Sox brought in two sluggers from the NL -- Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. Well, we all know how that turned out. Hanley was chopped liver in left field, and Panda turned out to be all fat. They’re hoping for much better from this year's imported meat, RP Craig Kimbrel. New Red Sox GM Dave Drombrowski wasted no time in acquiring his new closer from the Padres for four promising but lower-level prospects. Kimbrel garnered 39 saves in 43 chances for a disappointing Padres team, earning $19. Koji Uehara is still there, and Carson Smith, too, giving the Sox a trifecta to rival New York's Chapman - Miller - Betances triumvirate. Buy with confidence.
RP Francisco Rodriguez. The Tigers acquired K-Rod from the Milwaukee Brewers (American League team, ex-officio status), so he's another nice piece of fresh meat. K-Rod had a nifty 2.21 ERA for the Brewers in 2015, 38 saves in 40 chances, and earned $17 in the NL. Believe it or not, he's only 34 years young.
RP Ken Giles. Giles was traded by the rebuilding Phillies to the fully rebuilt Astros (am I the only one who can't get used to Houston being an AL team?) in a deal involving starting pitchers Vince Velasquez and Brett Oberholtzer. Since the Astros sent two major leaguers and a promising prospect in exchange for Giles, he will almost certainly step right into the closer's role. Last year, he blew just two saves after taking over as the Phillies' closer in late July, striking out 87 batters in 70 innings. and Now he'll get to play on a team that will have the lead more often (it's safe to say) than Philadelphia. He figures to slot in near the top of the second cut of closers in AL fantasy drafts. Quietly earned $15 last year in the NL. A nice cut of quality meat that could be on sale in your auction.
RPs Steve Cishek & Joaquin Benoit. The Mariners signed Cishek (
of Falmouth, Mass, CAPE COD REPRESENT!) away from the Cardinals, who had rented him late last year, while also acquiring Benoit from the San Diego Padres for a pair of minor league prospects. The reason is clear: After having the best bullpen in baseball in 2014, they blew 24 saves in 2015. (
Let's pause and let that sink in for a minute. Yikes!) Cishek, though, had some issues himself, namely with his control and getting lefties out. Meanwhile Benoit had a 2.34 ERA in 67 appearances was just brutal on right-handed hitters with a .144 batting average against -- the lowest of any NL pitcher who faced 100+ batters. That said, the submarining Cishek could be shaky in the closer role. With peripheral stats still very solid despite his advanced age of 38, and importantly, being no stranger to AL lineups, Benoit could be a saves-speculative buck or 3 at auction.
RP Sam Dyson. In return for prospects, the Rangers landed a mid-to-high 90s fastballer in Dyson, giving the Rangers another live arm out of the bullpen. Dyson earned $7 in the NL and should be an excellent K and WHIP guy for half that price. (
If you're into that sort of thing, and I know you are.) (
Wink-wink-nudge-nudge-know-wot-I-mean?)
RP Drew Storen. Despite having a 20-year-old flamethrower like Roberto Osuna to close out games last year, Toronto (
nonsensically) acquired the former Nats closer in exchange for OF Ben Revere. Storen notched 29 saves with a pedestrian 3.44 ERA, which earned him $9 in the NL. He makes not a bad contrarian/consolation prize if everybody else overpays for the top tier closers coming off the board. However, Osuna was brilliant in that role for Toronto last year, so if Storen struggles, he may not have the job to himself for long. (
BTW, check this hilarious commentary on Storen's Netflix and Chill story.)
RP John Axford. The Oakland Athletics inked a two-year, $10 million deal with Axford. (This is 100% pure insanity. Has Billy Beane lost his damn mind? First he trades the MVP away, now this?) Axford went 4-5 with a 4.20 ERA and somehow garnered 25 saves in 60 appearances with the Rockies in 2015. This is fresh meat that already stinks. Avoid.
Dead Meat:
Join me in bidding adieu to Adam Warren, Pedro Strop, Andrew Bailey, Wil Smith, and Jake McGee. Of these, I'll miss McGee, who I owned seemingly every year for $1 or $3. McGee is that rare left-handed power arm, but lefty closers never seem to get any respect. (
Hell, I'm still upset the Red Sox didn't stick with Tom Burgmeier in 1981!)
In summary, we AL-onliers made out like bandits this year. In a standard 12-team league, there should be plenty of high-leverage relievers for everyone at the table. Bon appetite!
