I figured I'd skip ahead, since middle relief pitchers are almost always the first free agent group to sign. I am grouping middle relievers with closers because my belief is that closers are simply the best relievers. Besides, closers can easily rise from the group, as we saw this season with Derrick Turnbow and Todd Jones. Instead of running my four part format, we'll just do a top 20, with some assorted comments where applicable.

 

1. Billy Wagner

 

The best left-handed reliever of all time? Take a look at the leaderboard for ERA+ among left-handed relievers...

 

1. Billy Wagner (180)

2. John Franco (137)

3. John Hiller (134)

4. Sparky Lyle (127)

t-4. Steve Kline (127)

6. Gary Lavelle (126)

7. Jesse Orosco (125)

8. Ron Perranoski (123)

9. Randy Myers (122)

10. Al Hrabosky (121)

 

Wagner ranks third in the group in saves, so it's legitimate. It is not even close. Wagner has been far, FAR more effective than any lefty relief pitcher in history. The question is, how much is it worth? Moreover, can Wagner be depended upon for good health? Closers as a group are remarkably overrated. Wagner looks to command a contract of at least 3 years, $30 Million. That is not worth the price. The Mets for example lost far more games because they lacked a good infield than they did because of their bullpen. Not to take anything away from Wagner though, who is a heck of a pitcher.

 

2. B.J. Ryan

 

Similar pitcher to Wagner, but more strikeouts and more walks, and four years younger. Ryan will provide more white-knuckle moments, but is younger and almost certainly cheaper. Unfortunately, if Ryan commands a four or five year contract, he becomes another risky signing.

 

3. Tom Gordon

 

Gordon turns 38 on Friday. His age is a factor, but he has been a highly effective pitcher the last several seasons. Gordon has not had a bad season since missing 2000 due to injury. However, his strikeout fell last season, a possible harbinger to a decline.

 

4. Kyle Farnsworth

 

Farnsworth throws serious gas. Sometimes it finds the plate. Farnsworth has been on a frustrating pattern of good year, bad year his entire career. Pitching in two pitchers' parks, he had a career year. The way it looks, Farnsworth will excel in a park where his mistakes will stay in the park. If not, look out.

 

5. Trevor Hoffman

 

Age is an issue again as Hoffman is 38. However, Hoffman still sports excellent control, strikeout ability, and has never had a bad season. Unlike Gordon, he did not suffer a decline in his strikeout rate, although Petco Park certainly helps. Whoever signs Hoffman also has a chance to profit from the all-time saves record chase. Hoffman sits 42 saves behind Lee Smith.

 

6. Todd Jones

 

Had a great season due to dramatically increased control. Teams should exercise caution against a possible fluke.

 

7. Bobby Howry

 

Highly effective set-up man the last two seasons in Cleveland. Probably the best middle reliever on the market.

 

8. Scott Eyre

 

The best lefty middle reliever on the market.

 

9. Braden Looper

 

Below average closer, but a possible placeholder for a team looking to upgrade elsewhere.

 

10. Bob Wickman

 

Extremely overrated closer for the Cleveland Indians. Indications are he will either retire or re-sign with the tribe.

 

11. Tim Worrell

12. Julian Tavarez

13. Chris Hammond

14. Giovanni Carrera

15. Roberto Hernandez

16. Rudy Seanez

17. Paul Quantrill

18. Jose Mesa

19. Al Reyes

 

Al Reyes looks like a serious relief candidate based on his 2005 campaign. But how far are you going to trust a pitcher who did not top 30 innings pitched in any of his last five years, and happened to miss the postseason due to injury?

 

20. Jim Mecir

 

I wouldn't quibble with specific rankings, such as if number 15 is really better than number 16. I looked at weighted three year averages for this list. Remember that relief pitchers are HIGHLY volitale. One relief pitcher may look awesome one year and bad the next, and vice versa. You're better off looking at career numbers than 2005 statistics.

10. Bob Wickman

 

Extremely overrated closer for the Cleveland Indians.  Indications are he will either retire or re-sign with the tribe.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

Anything but re-signing with the Tribe!

Eyre, the number eight pick on this list, signed up a three year, $11 million dollar deal that includes a no-trade clause, along with additional incentives based on appearances, whether Eyre becomes the "closer" (how exactly do they quantify that).

 

How do you think that sets up the rest of the middle relief pack, especially the wave of closers hitting the market?

I relate this to Omar Vizquel's signing last November. That surely set a ludacris precedent and I'd imagine this will do likewise.

Eyre, the number eight pick on this list, signed up a three year, $11 million dollar deal that includes a no-trade clause, along with additional incentives based on appearances, whether Eyre becomes the "closer" (how exactly do they quantify that).

 

How do you think that sets up the rest of the middle relief pack, especially the wave of closers hitting the market?

I think it'll set salaries a million or two higher than we might have expected, but little more. That's assuming no one else goes out and signs an exhorbitant contract.

Whatever was going on with Farnsworth in Detroit was working, so I'd be more than happy if Detroit could somehow snag him again. Problem I think is that the money they could use towards him is tied up in Percival, who may not be able to even pitch (I haven't seen yes or no on this yet).

Man, if the Cubs fans saw you say this about Farnsworth, they will scream.

That's no problem. I'd just quote the 46 G, 2.32 ERA with 55 SO's/20 BB's in 42.2 innings with only 29 h, 1 HR given up while he pitched for Detroit. Take the name away, that's a pretty good line.