Last but not least, here are the sleeper relievers. Some of these guys are closers already and in that case, look for them to outplay their expectations. There are some players listed that are set-up men who can be valuable in deeper leagues and category leagues that require holds.
Jason Grilli, Pit
After playing for six teams over 10 years, Grilli finally got the opportunity to close games regularly last season. The 37-year-old hurler saved 33 ballgames with a 2.70 earned run average and career-best 1.06 WHIP in 50 innings.
The most impressive part of Grilli’s game has been the spike in strikeouts the past two seasons with a total of 164 in just under 109 innings worked (13.6 K/9). He had some elbow and forearm issues down the stretch last season, but expect him to be ready for Opening Day and to have a very productive season.
Casey Janssen, Tor
The Blue Jays’ closer is dealing with shoulder soreness this spring and has only pitched in one game up until this point, a scoreless innings against the Phillies. The general feeling is that Janssen will continue to build up his velocity over a couple more preseason appearances and be ready to go for Opening Day.
The 32-year-old notched 34 saves last season and 22 the year before, with an ERA hovering around 2.50 over that time. He is certainly undervalued among other closers and can be picked up after the big-name guys who may pitch for more prominent teams.
Joakim Soria, Tex
Texas’ manager Ron Washington recently announced that the closing duties belong to Soria and not Neftali Feliz, who was optioned to Triple-A. Ultimately it was the right decision because Soria can hit his spots and get hitters out with regularity.
The former Kansas City Royal earned the closer job as a rookie and averaged 32 saves per season from 2007-11. After having Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2012, he pitched modestly for the Rangers in 2013 with a 3.80 ERA in almost 24 innings. Expect him to have a standout season with well over 30 saves and an ERA right around three.
Bobby Parnell, NYM
There is a concern with Parnell coming off neck surgery this past offseason and how that may limit his outings early in the season. The Mets would be wise to ease the hard-throwing righty back into the mix, so expect the newly signed Jose Valverde to get the ball in the ninth as well. Parnell makes a good pick later in the draft knowing he has lots of upside to finish the season as an above average closer.
Rex Brothers, Col
With Latroy Hawkins being brought via free agency to close, Brothers is left to work the eighth inning as well as the occasional save if the matchup is right. At least that is the general feeling about how the situation will unfold.
Brothers was dominant last season with a 1.74 ERA and fanning 76 hitters in just over 67 innings. The southpaw saved 19 games last season and his value is limited until he gets back to closing games.
Nate Jones, ChW
The White Sox traded their closer Addison Reed to the Diamondbacks in the offseason and Jones was the internal option chosen to fill the void. The hard-throwing righty is heading into his third year at the age of 28 without ever recording a save.
Jones has been petty good the past two campaigns with a combined 3.31 ERA in just under 150 innings. His two-seam fastball averages 97 mph, which is complimented by a plus slider used to produce a 10.3 K/9 ratio in 2013. Expect some ups and down in his first season as a closer, but he should record at least 25 saves with an ERA just over three.
Cody Allen, Cle
With John Axford as the Indians’ new closer, Allen is likely next in line to close games should an injury or streak of ineffectiveness take place. Allen posted excellent numbers last season with a 6-1 record, a 2.43 ERA and 88 strikeouts in a little over 70 innings. He is only 25-years-old and is yet to reach his prime. The upward trend should continue to climb and it wouldn’t be a shocker to see him closing games by the All-Star Break.
Brian Wilson, LAD
The Dodgers got a boost of energy in signing Wilson to a one-year contract during last season. He allowed just one run in almost 14 regular season innings and he resigned to be the team’s setup man. Wilson proved to have plenty left in the tank even after having his second Tommy John surgery back in 2012.
Pedro Strop, ChC
While Jose Veras was brought in to be the ninth-inning guy, Strop pitched very well after being traded to Chicago from Baltimore during last season. Strop wound up with an ERA of 2.83 and 42 strikeouts in 35 innings pitching for the Cubs. The righty could certainly build on those numbers and Veras could get traded at the deadline again to open up save opportunities.
A.J. Ramos, Mia
The former 21st round pick in 2009 was a big contributor to the Marlins’ bullpen a year ago with a 3.15 ERA and 86 punch-outs in 80 frames of work. Ramos will be the eighth inning guy to set up for closer Steve Cishek, an up and coming talent himself. Owners looking for holds could use a guy like Ramos.
Darren O’Day, Bal
The funky, sidearm delivery is usually keeping hitters off balanced and has yielded a 2.23 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 129 innings over the past two seasons. Owners in category leagues may be able to use a guy like O’Day as he is just flat-out, tough to hit.
