The Bullpen Report: Three Relievers Who Are Worth Adding…

by Nick Hutcherson

Winds of change are swirling in closer land and one name was omitted from the list below, Justin Wilson.  He would rank above all of these players, but he stepped into his role a few days back and was already owned in most leagues. If for some reason he is available in your league, run to grab him. If not, here are some other fine options to consider:

1) Shallow League- Corey Knebel- Milwaukee Brewers
The skills are in the right mold for Knebel to be a guy who can take this Brewers job and run with it for the rest of the year. This is a guy who in recent seasons has really found a way to limit the home runs and rack up big strikeout numbers. He can be counted on for a K/9 north of 10, with his biggest trouble being that he is still walking too many batters. If he can reign in the walk rate he should be in line for saves in the near future. Don’t sleep on Jacob Barnes (though yesterday’s performance hurt his cause), but Knebel was in line to compete for this job last season before injuries ultimately did him in.

2) Average League- Pat Neshek- Philadelphia Phillies
Closers are valuable, right? Joaquin Benoit is pitching and talking his way out of Philadelphia, and certainly out of the 9th inning. Hector Neris hasn’t been able to take this job and run with it. Perhaps his inexperience is still costing him. Enter Pat Neshek, who has yet to allow a run this season! The biggest complaint about Neshek is going to be the relatively low strikeout rate, certainly less than a batter an inning. However, don’t sleep on him as he has been an effective reliever year in and year out and has the skills to shut the door.

3) Deep League- Derek Law- San Francisco Giants
This is likely a short term play as it is expected than Mark Melancon is in for a minimal stay on the DL. However, realize that Melancon is on the DL with an elbow injury and anytime you hear elbow injury and pitcher in the same sentence, a red flag should raise all the way up the flag pole. Now, this year’s version of Law is not producing at the same level as he did a year ago and his 1.63 WHIP is alarming. It is not far-fetched to believe that he can get back to a sub-3 ERA if he can limit the baserunners going forward, but I am not recommending him on skill, I am recommending him because every save is valuable in a 16 team league and he may get more opportunities than most expect.

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