2063.11: Rummaging Bears - Relief Pitchers

[BaseClogger]

3/7/2063


How well are our spring campers' picnic baskets secured?

Sure-Fire Locks
RP Carlos Williams, RP Steve Fuller, RP Ben Weaver, RP Dhrtatman Seshadri, RP Bob Butler

Conventional wisdom would place San Fernando's most talented reliever into the closer role and that is without a doubt Williams. However, he's only 19 years old and saves could drive up his arbitration cost. I'd rather have him available to put out fires before the ninth inning. Fuller was the team's best reliever in 2062 with 1.7 WAR over 91.1 innings. He was the team's closer down the stretch but I prefer to not use a lefty in that role, especially if the bullpen only has a couple of southpaws. The other lefty guaranteed to hold a spot is Seshadri who is looking to step up into a more critical role in 2063. Weaver and Butler will be the main setup guys.

Near Locks
RP Duane Bishop, RP Filippio Ioriatti

Bishop deserves a BBA bullpen role but he still has an option and could be a number crunch casualty. Ioriatti got added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the rule 5 draft and is out of options so he has more of an inside track.

Trying to Break-In
RP Doug Eckhoff

A good starting pitcher for a couple of years in Boise, Eckhoff could find new life as a reliever where his stuff would play up. He looks similar to Bishop in that he could be dominant against right-handed hitters. Eckhoff doesn't have options but could be stashed in AAA on his minor league contract for 30 days until he reaches his opt-out date.

Breaking in the Back Door
RP Jose Diaz, RP Susila Kartosuwiryo, RP Ignacio Ryder, RP Sergio Herrera, RP Don Starr, RP Ferede Keohi

Diaz, Kartosuwiryo, and Ryder are lefties on the 40-man roster who haven't yet reached AAA. Herrera is old now but was a pretty good BBA pitcher in his prime while Starr went for 29 saves and 2.0 WAR last year as the AAA Brooks closer. Keohi could be an effective southpaw if he can find his 6 control rating.