Positional Power Rankings: Relief Pitchers

For an explanation of this series, please read the introduction from Monday. All the posts in the series can be found here.

This post represents the final installment of our 2012 positional power rankings. This edition looks at bullpens.

A couple notes on these rankings. Because, over the course of a season, any number of pitchers will appear in relief for a given team, I’ve decided to concentrate on those pitchers who are most likely to receive high-leverage innings during the season. Additionally, note that a number of relief pitchers are also projected for starter’s innings. In those instances where this is the case, I’ve preserved the raw ZiPS rate projections (i.e. K/9, BB/9, HR/9), but adjusted both the innings and WAR projections, while attempting to represent the bump in performance that starters receive when moving to the bullpen.

In terms of criteria, these rankings are based both on the projected WAR of the relevant relievers and also each club’s relief depth. While the Rays, for example, don’t necessarily have the highest-end arms at the back of their bullpen, they have a wealth of slightly above-average ones.

Finally, please note that absolute precision is not the objective here — nor a possibility, really. Indeed, a reasonable argument could be made for moving most teams up or down a couple spots. Rather, the idea is to get a general sense of where each team is situated relative to the rest of the league.

30. Chicago Cubs

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Carlos Marmol	R	12.4	6.0	0.62	73.1	1.0
Setup	Kerry Wood	R	10.0	4.2	0.97	46.2	0.5
Setup	Jeff Samardzija	R	7.8	5.3	0.92	78.2	0.0
Middle	Marcos Mateo	R	8.6	3.5	1.17	46.1	0.0

A brief tour of Carlos Marmol’s player page reveals that, in two of his past three years, he’s posted a WAR of less than 1.0 (while the third was his 3.0 WAR season in 2010). If healthy, Kerry Wood should provide decent setup innings; after that, however, there’s not a lot with which rookie manager Dale Sveum can work. Here, for example, is left-hander James Russell’s ZiPS projection: 56 G (5 GS), 73.0 IP, 49 K, 20 BB, 13 HR, 4.82 FIP. He appears to be the only other real candidate for high-leverage innings entering the season.

29. Baltimore Orioles

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Jim Johnson	R	6.1	2.4	0.84	64.2	1.0
Setup	Matt Lindstrom	R	6.3	3.0	1.05	51.2	0.5
Setup	Kevin Gregg	R	8.2	4.8	1.13	56.0	0.0
Middle	Pedro Strop	R	7.9	4.7	0.71	63.0	0.5

Darren O’Day was claimed off waivers by Baltimore this offseason, and, if he lives up to this ZiPS projections (8.6 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 1.15 HR/9, 3.60 FIP) could very end up being one of the most important members of Baltimore’s bullpen. Troy Patton and Zach Phillips appear to be the only left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster, so one or the other (likely Patton) will be given the LOOGY role, although neither are likely to be worth considerably more than replacement level.

28. Minnesota Twins

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Matt Capps	R	5.9	2.4	1.12	64.1	0.5
Setup	Glen Perkins	L	7.5	3.2	0.84	64.0	1.0
Setup	Alex Burnett	R	5.8	3.7	0.89	61.0	0.0
Middle	Brian Duensing	L	5.7	2.9	0.98	65.0	0.5

Shambles might be a strong word for what the Minnesota bullpen is in, but it’s not a dramatic overstatement, either. Perkins is an above-average reliever, probably; after that, it’s hard to see the group improving considerably upon the league-worst 115 xFIP- it posted in 2011. One positive: the Twins have a number of players — i.e. Jared Burton, Deolis Guerra, and Daryl Thompson — who have demonstrated promise of some kind.

27. Cleveland Indians

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Chris Perez	R	8.2	4.1	0.88	61.2	0.5
Setup	Vinnie Pestano	R	10.0	3.7	0.85	53.1	1.0
Setup	Joe Smith	R	6.8	4.1	0.63	57.0	0.5
Setup	Tony Sipp	L	9.5	4.5	1.24	58.2	0.0

Closer Perez hurt his oblique at the end of February and, despite an original projected recovery time of four-to-six weeks, recently told Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 that he would return by March 15th. ZiPS thinks that either left-hander Nick Hagadone (4.04 FIP) or Rafael Perez (4.13) would both represent an improvement over Sipp, although Manny Acta is most likely to favor Sipp to begin the season.

26. Miami Marlins

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Heath Bell	R	9.4	3.5	0.61	59.2	1.0
Setup	Juan Oviedo	R	8.4	3.2	1.12	64.2	0.5
Setup	Mike Dunn	L	10.3	6.2	0.85	63.2	0.0
Setup	Ryan Webb	R	6.3	3.4	0.68	66.2	0.5

Even including the newly acquired Bell, the Marlins don’t have any particularly high-end bullpen arms. What they do seem to have is a pretty decent amount of average relievers. Even if, as expected, Juan Oviedo (ne Leo Nunez) isn’t able to rejoin the team before Opening Day, one or more of Jose Ceda (3.52 projected), Steve Cishek (3.69), and Edward Mujica (3.55) should serve as a reasonably effective replacement for the innings that would’ve been Oviedo’s.

25. Houston Astros

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Brett Myers	R	6.8	2.6	1.17	65.0	1.0
Setup	Wilton Lopez	R	6.9	2.0	0.92	68.2	1.0
Setup	Brandon Lyon	R	6.4	3.4	0.94	48.0	0.0
Setup	David Carpenter	R	7.3	4.6	1.00	45.0	0.0

While moving Brett Myers to the bullpen makes less sense in a vacuum (which is to say, if a pitcher can be somewhat effective as a starter, it’s generally best to use him as one), one will note that the Astros relief corps is rather thin otherwise. Right-hander Fernando Rodriguez (3.88 projected FIP) is a possibile alternative to the above-listed group, while some combination of the very hard-throwing Juan Abreu (he averaged 95.5 mph on his fastball in limited major-league time) and Wesley Wright could also make their respsective ways to higher-leverage innings.

24. Oakland A’s

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer?	Grant Balfour	R	8.8	3.4	0.98	55.0	0.5
Closer?	Brian Fuentes	L	7.5	3.5	0.94	48.1	0.5
Closer?	Fautino De Los Santos	R	9.4	4.5	0.94	57.2	0.5
Setup	Joey Devine	R	8.9	4.0	0.60	45.1	0.5
Setup	Jerry Blevins	L	7.9	3.3	1.05	60.2	0.5

With the departure of Andrew Bailey to Boston, the closer role is uncertain at the moment. Grant Balfour, who posted an 88 xFIP- in 62.0 innings with the A’s last season, would seem to have some sort of claim on it, except (a) he’s never recorded more than four saves in a major-league season and (b) he’s having a poor spring so far.

23. Seattle Mariners

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Brandon League	R	7.4	2.4	0.80	67.1	1.0
Setup	Shawn Kelley	R	8.3	3.2	1.08	33.2	0.5
Setup	Tom Wilhelmsen	R	5.3	4.5	1.04	65.0	0.5
Setup	George Sherrill	L	8.9	3.8	0.90	40.1	0.5

After the closer League, the exact bullpen roles for the Mariners are a bit unclear at the moment. Kelley pitched last September after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late 2010. Provided he resembles his former self, he’s probably the best candidate for the high-leverage innings League doesn’t pitch. Wilhelmsen’s projection includes a number of innings as a starter, but he should be more effective than that in relief — and, notably, he was excellent last September. Chance Ruffin and Hong-Chih Kuo are also around.

22. Washington Nationals

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Drew Storen	R	8.8	2.8	0.76	71.2	1.0
Setup	Tyler Clippard	R	10.9	3.6	0.92	88.1	1.0
Setup	Sean Burnett	R	7.0	3.5	0.79	57.0	0.5
Setup	Brad Lidge	R	8.8	4.3	0.87	31.2	0.0

The above coterie of relievers is joined by right-handers Henry Rodriguez, whose fastball averaged 98.0 mph in 2011, and Ryan Perry, who (you mayn’t remember) was traded by Detroit to the Nationals this offseason for Collin Balester. One or the other will take on the high-leverage innings that Brad Lidge, if and when he gets injured, will forego.

21. New York Mets

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Frank Francisco	R	10.4	3.1	0.92	49.1	1.0
Setup	Ramon Ramirez	R	8.1	3.9	0.70	64.1	0.5
Setup	Jon Rauch	R	7.0	2.6	0.98	55.0	0.5
Middle	Bobby Parnell	R	8.8	3.8	0.75	35.0	0.5

ZiPS is more enthusiastic about Parnell (3.42 FIP) than any Mets reliever except for Francisco; however, with an option remaining, there are questions about whether he’ll even make the Opening Day roster. Tim Byrdak, in addition to entertaining the masses with his Hulk Hogan impersonation, will handle LOOGY duties*.

*Note: according to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger, it appears as though Byrdak will be undergoing surgery soon for a torn meniscus.

20. Detroit Tigers

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Jose Valverde	R	8.6	4.5	0.77	58.1	0.5
Setup	Joaquin Benoit	R	9.7	2.7	1.00	54.0	1.0
Setup	Octavio Dotel	R	9.4	3.5	1.10	49.0	0.5
Setup	Al Alburquerque	R	10.2	5.6	0.77	25.0	0.0
Swing	Phil Coke	L	6.5	3.5	0.65	65.0	0.5

Phil Coke is not-horrible enough against right-handed batters that he was given 14 starts last season. While they weren’t particularly successful appearances, he’s likely to be quite effective in his relief appearances. In his attempt last season to strike out every batter, Al Alburquerque suffered a stress fracture in his right elbow, undergoing surgery for same in December. He’s currently expected to return around the All-Star break.

19. Philadelphia Phillies

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Jonathan Papelbon	R	11.9	2.7	0.71	63.2	2.0
Setup	Antonio Bastardo	L	11.0	3.9	0.94	48.1	0.5
Setup	Jose Contreras	R	7.7	3.2	0.96	28.0	0.0
Setup	Michael Stutes	R	8.5	5.0	1.00	72.0	0.0

The success of the Phillies bullpen rests pretty considerably on the health and effectiveness of free-agent signing Papelbon. With him, the team will be assigning many of its highest-leverage innings to an excellent reliever. Should he get injured, however, there will be a huge hole in the team’s later innings. After he and Bastardo, there’s little about which to be terribly optimistic. Elbow trouble limited Jose Contreras to 14.0 innings in 2011 and have made his status for Opening Day uncertain. Michael Stutes is there, but a bit vanilla. Minor leaguers Justin De Fratus (projected FIP of 3.56) and Michael Schwimer (3.55) are potential reinforcements (and perhaps improvements), although the former has been dealing with elbow soreness since mid-February.

18. San Diego Padres

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Huston Street	R	9.9	2.2	0.93	58.1	1.0
Setup	Luke Gregerson	R	8.7	3.1	0.68	66.1	1.0
Setup	Andrew Cashner	R	7.4	4.5	0.56	64.2	0.5
Setup	Joe Thatcher	L	10.4	3.7	0.54	33.2	0.5

The Padres’ trademark over the last several seasons has been their ability to cobble together bullpens out of seemingly spare parts — although, one could make the case that that’s the trademark of now-Arizona GM Kevin Towers. Offseason acquisition Huston Street is a known quantity, and Gregerson has been notable for three years now (although his 2011 wasn’t anything compared to the previous two seasons). Here’s a notable name: Brad Brach. ZiPS has him projected for a 3.04 FIP. Even after accounting for Petco’s spacious dimensions, that’s pretty excellent.

17. Tampa Bay Rays

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Kyle Farnsworth	R	8.5	2.5	0.91	49.2	1.0
Setup	Joel Peralta	R	7.9	2.8	0.93	58.1	0.5
Setup	Jake McGee	L	8.1	3.6	1.05	60.1	0.5
Setup	Fernando Rodney	R	7.2	5.0	0.72	50.0	0.0
Swing	Jeff Niemann	R	6.6	2.8	1.09	65.0	1.0

Matt Bush (4.09 projected FIP), Brandon Gomes (3.65), and especially Josh Lueke (3.41 FIP) are all candidates to provide better than replacement-level innings, in the event that any of the above prove to be ineffective. Fernando Rodney appears to be in a position to receive innings — nor is either ZiPS (4.15) or Steamer (3.97) as pessimistic as you might expect. Generally speaking, while this group lacks a totally dominant arm, it has a number of useful ones.

16. Los Angeles Dodgers

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Javy Guerra	R	7.6	3.4	0.86	63.0	0.5
Setup	Kenley Jansen	R	14.0	4.4	0.71	63.0	1.5
Setup	Matt Guerrier	R	6.6	3.0	0.84	64.0	0.5
Setup	Scott Elbert	R	9.6	4.7	0.76	47.2	0.5

Manager Don Mattingly recently announced that Guerra will open the season as the Dodgers’ closer. That’s fine. Regardless of how it works out, Jansen is the relief ace on this team. His combination of velocity and the movement on his excellent cutter led to a 16.1 K/9 last season, the highest mark ever in modern baseball. After that pair, ZiPS is probably most enthusiastic about prospect Josh Lindblom (3.45 projected FIP). Whether he gets enough innings remains to be seen.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	J.J. Putz	R	9.6	2.7	0.78	46.0	1.0
Setup	David Hernandez	R	9.9	4.1	0.83	65.1	1.0
Setup	Takashi Saito	R	9.0	2.7	0.82	33.0	0.5
Setup	Craig Breslow	L	7.9	3.3	1.01	62.2	0.5

It’s been noted in volume, but deserves repeating: Arizona’s bullpen was very, very poor in 2010 and much, much improved. In that 2010 season, the D-backs’ bullpen posted a collective (and league-worst) -2.1 WAR. In 2011 — with the additions of Putz and Hernandez, specifically — that number rose to +3.4 WAR, the ninth-best figure in the majors. The projections here for both Putz and Saito are rather conservative, owing to injury problems both have had in recent years, but both are very likely to be effective on a per-inning basis, while Joe Paterson (3.81 projected FIP) Brad Ziegler (3.47) provide for some cushion.

14. Pittsburgh Pirates

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Joel Hanrahan	R	9.8	3.0	0.55	65.1	1.5
Setup	Chris Resop	R	9.9	4.0	0.87	52.0	0.5
Setup	Jason Grilli	R	9.5	3.8	0.86	52.1	0.5
Setup	Evan Meek	R	7.9	4.2	0.73	49.1	0.5

Hanrahan is a legitimately excellent reliever at this point, having posted xFIP-s of 66 and 77, respectively, over the last two seasons. Though his strikeout rate dropped from 2010 to 2011 (34.0% to 22.3%), so did his walk rate (8.8% to 5.8%), while his ground-ball rate increased over that span (42.0% to 52.4%). A lot of that change was due to a dramatic increase in fastball usage, which rose from 60.8% in 2010 to 82.5% in 2011, as Hanrahan also threw the pitch harder (95.9 mph in 2010 to 97.0 in 2011). One pitcher to watch this season is Jared Hughes, who saw a jump in velocity when moved to the bullpen at Triple-A Indianapolis and induced grounders on 65.5% of balls in play in 11.0 innings with Pittsburgh.

13. San Francisco Giants

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Brian Wilson	R	9.9	4.0	0.58	62.2	1.0
Setup	Sergio Romo	R	11.4	2.0	0.73	49.0	1.5
Setup	Santiago Casilla	R	8.2	4.4	0.68	53.0	0.5
Setup	Jeremy Affeldt	L	7.9	3.9	0.85	53.2	0.0

Sergio Romo is pretty amazing. His 2.23 FIP is the lowest projected by ZiPS. He posted a 40.0% strikeout rate last season versus only a 2.9% walk rate — all of which led to a 38 xFIP-. His slider is literally covered with butter. Or, at least, figuratively covered with butter. In any case, it has a buttery quality to it. Unfortunately, it’s also the case that pitchers who throw a slider with Romo’s frequency are more susceptible to injury. One player to watch is Dan Runzler. He’s a hard-throwing left-hander whose 3.66 projected FIP actually places him third among Giants relievers.

12. Boston Red Sox

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Andrew Bailey	R	9.0	2.7	0.68	53.1	1.0
Setup	Mark Melancon	R	7.5	3.1	0.79	57.2	1.0
Setup	Matt Albers	R	7.7	4.2	0.91	69.1	0.5
Swing	Alfredo Aceves	R	5.9	3.5	0.80	65.0	1.0

Right-hander Bobby Jenks had multiple procedures on his back this offseason, leaving his return to action in some doubt. Alfredo Aceves’ role remains somewhat undefined. Like last year, he could get some high-ish-leverage innings. Also like last year, he might make some sport starts. Remember that his ZiPS projections includes five games started; his rates are likely to improve in relief.

11. Chicago White Sox

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer?	Matt Thornton	L	10.5	3.1	0.80	56.0	1.5
Closer?	Addison Reed	R	9.6	3.3	0.95	76.0	1.0
Setup	Jesse Crain	R	9.2	4.5	1.02	62.0	0.5
Long	Dylan Axelrod	R	5.8	2.9	0.77	75.0	0.5

As of February 23rd, the competition for the White Sox’ closing role was/is wide open, according to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Dary Van Schouwen. Thornton was originally believed to be the favorite, but new manager Robin Ventura was still considering both Crain and Reed for the role. Depite the presence of Jhan Marinez (5.95 projected FIP) and Will Ohman (4.43), probably the most interesting relief option after Crain is Axelrod, who likely won’t be given high-leverage innings at the beginning of the season.

10. Kansas City Royals

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Joakim Soria	R	9.7	2.6	0.91	59.2	1.0
Setup	Greg Holland	R	9.0	4.2	0.77	70.0	1.0
Setup	Jonathan Broxton	R	10.3	4.1	0.83	43.2	0.5
Middle	Tim Collins	L	9.0	5.7	0.82	66.2	0.5
Middle	Louis Coleman	R	9.0	3.7	1.03	61.1	0.5

If his 2011 is any indication, Greg Holland has probably surpassed His Mexellency as the ace of this bullpen, after having posted a 66 xFIP- last season, largely on the strength of a slider that was worth 2.95 runs above average for every hundred thrown, per PITCHf/x. Given the frequency with which he throws said pitch (43.7% of the time in 2011), injury is a concern. Kansas City has above-average depth that should help them deal with injury if and when it occurs.

9. Toronto Blue Jays

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Sergio Santos	R	10.9	3.8	0.91	59.1	1.0
Setup	Darren Oliver	L	8.6	2.4	0.78	46.0	1.0
Setup	Casey Janssen	R	8.4	2.6	0.87	62.0	1.0
Setup	Francisco Cordero	R	6.3	3.5	0.93	58.2	0.0
Setup	Jason Frasor	R	8.6	3.6	0.98	55.2	0.5

It’s not entirely clear at the moment what sort of innings left-hander Darren Oliver will be given, but the projections suggest that they should probably be of the high-leverage sort: Oliver actually has the lowest projected ERA and FIP, per ZiPS, of any Blue Jay pitcher. Of course, that probably accounts for some platoon-leveraging (only 56% of the batters he faced last season were right-hander), but his role in Toronto should be similar to the one he filled in Texas last season.

8. St. Louis Cardinals

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Jason Motte	R	8.7	2.8	0.79	57.2	1.0
Setup	Lance Lynn	R	6.6	3.9	0.57	65.0	1.0
Setup	Marc Rzepczynski	L	8.9	4.5	0.70	64.2	0.5
Setup	Fernando Salas	R	8.8	3.1	0.88	61.2	1.0
Setup	Eduardo Sanchez	R	9.3	4.8	0.66	41.2	0.5

The Cardinals, owners of baseball’s belt and title, see the return to their bullpen of most of 2011’s principals — or, the principals from the second half of the season, at least. While Octavio Dotel and Arthur Rhodes have departed, this season will likely see the return of Eduardo Sanchez, whose 2011 was limited to 30 innings with shoulder trouble. Not listed here is Maikel Cleto, owner of a fastball that averaged 97.9 mph during the right-hander’s 4.1 major-league innings last season. Despite control problems at Triple-A (13.8% in 71.1 IP), Cleto’s numbers were considerably better in that regard in the lower minors last season.

7. Milwaukee Brewers

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	John Axford	R	10.3	4.4	0.67	67.1	1.5
Setup	Francisco Rodriguez	R	10.1	3.8	0.84	64.0	1.0
Setup	Kameron Loe	R	7.1	2.7	0.87	72.1	1.0
Middle	Jose Veras	R	9.9	4.9	1.00	63.0	0.5

The Brewers were perhaps surprised a bit when right-hander Francisco Rodriguez accepted arbitration this offseason, although the move might actually work out for the Brewers, as (a) the departures of LaTroy Hawkins and Takashi Saito left the bullpen a little thin, and (b) the $8 million for which K-Rod ended up signing represents a significant discount over the $11.5 million he received last season. Not listed above are two potentially effective left-handers in Zach Braddock (3.49 projected FIP) and Manny Parra (4.41 FIP, mostly as a starter) who pitched only 17.1 innings between them due to injury.

6. Los Angeles Angels

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Jordan Walden	R	9.7	3.8	0.74	61.0	1.0
Setup	Scott Downs	L	6.8	2.6	0.75	48.0	1.0
Setup	Hisanori Takahashi	L	8.7	3.1	0.96	75.2	1.0
Setup	Rich Thompson	R	8.7	3.2	1.02	53.0	0.5
Setup	LaTroy Hawkins	R	5.6	2.3	0.77	35.1	0.5

However many setup men a team can reasonably possess, that’s how many the Angels appear to have. While Downs is the best of the group, the remainder are all fairly interchangeable. Not listed here is Jason Isringhausen, who signed a minor league deal with the Angels in February.

5. Colorado Rockies

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Rafael Betancourt	R	10.7	1.9	1.04	52.0	1.5
Setup	Matt Belisle	R	7.3	2.0	0.86	73.0	1.5
Setup	Rex Brothers	L	10.9	5.4	0.83	65.0	1.0
Setup	Matt Reynolds	L	8.5	3.2	1.22	59.1	0.5

For the first time in four years, Colorado will enter a season without Huston Street as their closer. Notably, by virtue of health and effectiveness, Betancourt’s WAR over the last three seasons surpasses Street’s considerably (5.0 vs. 3.1). Betancourt will take over Street’s role, with the effective Belisle and Brothers getting the majority of innings in setup. ZiPS is also optimistic about Zach Putnam (3.76 projected FIP), the pitcher acquired from Cleveland in the Kevin Slowey trade.

4. Texas Rangers

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Joe Nathan	R	9.5	3.0	1.34	47.1	0.5
Setup	Alexi Ogando	R	7.3	3.0	0.84	65.0	1.5
Setup	Mike Adams	R	8.4	2.4	0.98	55.2	1.0
Setup	Koji Uehara	R	10.3	1.7	1.26	43.0	1.0
Middle	Yoshinori Tateyama	R	8.4	2.4	1.13	56.0	0.5

The Rangers have considerable depth in the bullpen. Even with Neftali Feliz making his much anticipated move to the rotation, the relief corps still features considerably above-average arms in Adams, Ogando, and Uehara — nor are Nathan or Tateyama the proverbial chopped liver, either. Another pitcher who might force his way into the bullpen conversation is right-hander Neil Ramirez, who struck out 28.9% of the batters he faced in 98.0 minor-league innings last year as a starter in his age-22 season.

3. Cincinnati Reds

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Ryan Madson	R	9.5	2.6	0.75	60.0	1.5
Setup	Sean Marshall	L	10.0	2.6	0.62	72.1	2.0
Setup	Nick Masset	R	8.7	3.7	0.77	70.0	1.0
Middle	Bill Bray	L	9.1	3.5	0.87	41.2	0.5

Following the offseason acquisitions of both Madson and Marshall, the top end of the Reds bullpen is probably among the best in the league. Few, if any, teams will have a pair of relievers who combine for 3.5 WAR.

2. Atlanta Braves

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Craig Kimbrel	R	14.2	4.8	0.62	73.1	2.0
Setup	Jonny Venters	L	10.0	4.4	0.54	84.1	1.5
Setup	Eric O’Flaherty	L	7.9	2.9	0.59	61.1	1.0
Setup	Arodys Vizcaino	R	6.8	2.8	0.86	75.0	0.5

Vizcaino’s rate stats are based on him being deployed exclusively as a starter, so it’s reasonable to expect that he’d be better in each category with a move to the bullpen — which, given the depth of the starting rotation, is a distinct possibility. The Braves, as you can see, are rather deep. Excluded from the above list are Jairo Asencio (3.53 projected FIP), Cristhian Martinez (3.42), and, returning from Tommy John surgery, Kris Medlen (3.61 FIP) — any of whom could become at least the second-best reliever for the Twins, probably.

1. New York Yankees

Role	Pitcher	Hand	ZiPS K/9	ZiPS BB/9	ZiPS HR/9	IP	WAR
Closer	Mariano Rivera	R	7.9	1.8	0.73	60.0	1.5
Setup	David Robertson	R	12.1	4.7	0.70	64.2	1.5
Setup	Rafael Soriano	R	10.6	3.0	0.86	63.0	1.5
Setup	Joba Chamberlain	R	8.8	2.7	0.98	25.0	0.5
Setup	Boone Logan	L	8.9	3.2	0.94	48.1	1.0

ZiPS has Mariano Rivera projected for only about 1.5 WAR, but hasn’t posted a figure that low since 2002, nor, given his accomplishments, is there any reason to doubt that he’ll reach that mark in 2012, too. He, Robertson, and Soriano could close for basically any team in the majors. Joba Chamberlain had Tommy John surgery in June of 2011, and likely won’t be returning until this June at the earliest.