| Relievers |
TM |
$$ |
W |
SV |
SO |
ERA |
WHIP |
Notes |
| Jonathan Papelbon | BOS | 27 | 4 | 40 | 86 | 1.53 | 0.88 | Young, gifted and bulletproof. |
| J.J. Putz | SEA | 27 | 5 | 41 | 84 | 1.72 | 0.81 | Last year's dominance no fluke. |
| Francisco Rodriguez | LAA | 26 | 4 | 42 | 88 | 2.94 | 1.28 | Lives up to nickname, but command is iffy. |
| Joe Nathan | MIN | 26 | 5 | 44 | 81 | 1.93 | 1.00 | As reliable as they come. |
| Mariano Rivera | NYY | 24 | 4 | 35 | 69 | 2.44 | 1.00 | Still an elite option. |
| Bobby Jenks | CWS | 23 | 6 | 43 | 63 | 2.71 | 0.76 | Has joined upper echelon. |
| Billy Wagner | NYM | 23 | 3 | 36 | 76 | 2.91 | 1.21 | Age may soon start taking its toll. |
| Takashi Saito | LAD | 23 | 4 | 37 | 74 | 2.08 | 0.85 | Handcuff with setup man Jonathan Broxton. |
| Jose Valverde | HOU | 23 | 3 | 36 | 70 | 3.11 | 1.32 | Don't pay for '07 saves total. |
| Francisco Cordero | CIN | 23 | 3 | 34 | 71 | 3.88 | 1.22 | Hurt by move to smaller ballpark. |
| Huston Street | OAK | 21 | 5 | 35 | 75 | 2.66 | 1.06 | Could be bargain after injury-plagued '07. |
| Trevor Hoffman | SD | 21 | 3 | 35 | 39 | 3.07 | 1.18 | Continues to defy Father Time. |
| Manny Corpas | COL | 19 | 4 | 34 | 60 | 2.13 | 1.03 | Should thrive in first full season as closer. |
| Jason Isringhausen | STL | 15 | 4 | 31 | 55 | 3.45 | 1.35 | Expect a decline. |
| Joakim Soria | KC | 15 | 5 | 32 | 72 | 2.71 | 1.02 | Here to stay after unheralded rookie year. |
| B.J. Ryan | TOR | 14 | 2 | 27 | 64 | 2.44 | 1.05 | Question mark after TJ surgery. |
| Matt Capps | PIT | 14 | 5 | 30 | 59 | 2.57 | 1.01 | Save chances limited in PIT. |
| Chad Cordero | WAS | 14 | 4 | 31 | 60 | 3.81 | 1.45 | Warning signs abound. |
| Eric Gagne | MIL | 13 | 2 | 29 | 55 | 3.15 | 1.24 | Durability remains major hurdle. |
| Rafael Soriano | ATL | 13 | 3 | 31 | 61 | 3.13 | 0.89 | High upside available at good price. |
| Brad Lidge | PHI | 13 | 2 | 27 | 95 | 3.86 | 1.33 | Slated to come off DL April 5. |
| Kevin Gregg | FLA | 13 | 2 | 29 | 72 | 3.65 | 1.31 | Needs to improve shaky control. |
| Joe Borowski | CLE | 13 | 2 | 28 | 57 | 4.66 | 1.45 | Often dances with disaster. |
| Todd Jones | DET | 12 | 1 | 32 | 26 | 4.63 | 1.39 | Warning: Saves come with indigestion. |
| Joba Chamberlain | NYY | 12 | 12 | 0 | 170 | 3.86 | 1.17 | Golden arm expected to ease back into rotation. |
| Carlos Marmol | CHC | 7 | 3 | 15 | 91 | 2.67 | 1.18 | Only needs opportunity. |
| Troy Percival | TB | 5 | 2 | 20 | 40 | 3.42 | 1.39 | Can he keep partying like it's 1999? |
| Brandon Lyon | ARI | 5 | 4 | 22 | 37 | 3.43 | 1.27 | Has yet to hold closer job for entire season. |
| Joaquin Benoit | TEX | 5 | 4 | 17 | 83 | 3.22 | 1.39 | Promotion could await top setup man. |
| Jeremy Accardo | TOR | 5 | 5 | 12 | 55 | 2.49 | 1.25 | Must-have insurance for B.J. Ryan owners. |
| Ryan Dempster | CHC | 5 | 2 | 15 | 79 | 4.63 | 1.47 | Role TBA. |
| Jonathan Broxton | LAD | 3 | 3 | 9 | 94 | 2.54 | 1.18 | Takashi Saito injury away from closing. |
| C.J. Wilson | TEX | 2 | 3 | 15 | 66 | 3.45 | 1.36 | Will battle Joakin Benoit for closer job. |
| Brian Wilson | SF | 2 | 3 | 17 | 50 | 3.82 | 1.34 | Default closer needs to maintain control. |
| Tony Pena | ARI | 2 | 3 | 12 | 60 | 3.46 | 1.30 | Worth grabbing in case Brandon Lyon falters. |
| Bob Howry | CHC | 1 | 6 | 8 | 68 | 3.22 | 1.19 | May steal saves if Ryan Dempster starts. |
| Jon Rauch | WAS | 1 | 6 | 10 | 78 | 3.61 | 1.24 | Could be closing by season's end. |
| Hideki Okajima | BOS | 1 | 5 | 6 | 60 | 2.45 | 1.05 | Top insurance policy for Jonathan Papelbon |
| Rafael Betancourt | CLE | 1 | 3 | 7 | 72 | 2.45 | 0.99 | Could claim closer job if Joe Borowski falters. |
| Al Reyes | TB | 1 | 4 | 8 | 68 | 3.88 | 1.02 | Insurance for Troy Percival. |
| Heath Bell | SD | 1 | 5 | 5 | 83 | 2.85 | 1.06 | Vulture saves await when Trevor Hoffman rests. |
| Chad Qualls | ARI | 1 | 5 | 7 | 69 | 3.19 | 1.37 | Could receive emergency SVO. |
| Pat Neshek | MIN | 1 | 5 | 8 | 80 | 2.34 | 0.83 | Sleeper candidate if Joe Nathan gets moved. |
| Brian Fuentes | COL | 1 | 3 | 7 | 70 | 2.94 | 1.19 | Ninth inning now Manny Corpas' territory. |
| Jamie Walker | BAL | 1 | 4 | 8 | 39 | 3.52 | 1.20 | Could see SVO given lack of alternatives in BAL. |
| Derrick Turnbow | MIL | 1 | 5 | 7 | 71 | 4.47 | 1.55 | Risky business even if Eric Gagne gets injured. |
| Scot Shields | LAA | 1 | 4 | 4 | 76 | 3.39 | 1.23 | Expect rebound. |
| Brad Hennessey | SF | 1 | 5 | 8 | 44 | 3.71 | 1.29 | Could close again if Brian Wilson struggles. |
| Chad Bradford | BAL | 1 | 4 | 8 | 39 | 3.49 | 1.48 | Steady vet in chaotic O's 'pen. |
| Matt Lindstrom | FLA | 1 | 5 | 5 | 68 | 3.31 | 1.32 | Possible future closer. |
| Aaron Heilman | NYM | 1 | 5 | 6 | 66 | 3.14 | 1.17 | Insurance for Billy Wagner owners. |
| Tom Gordon | PHI | 1 | 2 | 7 | 49 | 4.28 | 1.17 | An option only if Brad Lidge falters. |
| George Sherrill | BAL | 1 | 3 | 8 | 59 | 2.94 | 1.00 | Might steal saves in unsettled O's pen. |
| Alan Embree | OAK | 1 | 3 | 7 | 45 | 3.81 | 1.40 | Value directly tied to Huston Street's health. |
| Fernando Rodney | DET | 1 | 6 | 5 | 57 | 3.62 | 1.23 | Awaiting Todd Jones' demise. |
| Octavio Dotel | CWS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 54 | 3.94 | 1.34 | Revival hinges entirely on destination. |
| Justin Miller | FLA | 1 | 3 | 2 | 73 | 3.71 | 1.39 | Stuck behind Bobby Jenks in setup role. |
| Taylor Tankersley | FLA | 1 | 4 | 4 | 55 | 3.43 | 1.58 | Fireballing lefty needs to show consistency. |
| Kazuo Fukumori | TEX | 1 | 4 | 5 | 51 | 3.73 | 1.24 | Japan experience could lead to SVO in young 'pen. |
| Lee Gardner | FLA | 1 | 3 | 4 | 57 | 3.16 | 1.37 | Expect return to earth after amazing second half. |
| Michael Wuertz | CHC | 1 | 3 | 1 | 71 | 3.22 | 1.39 | Good source of Ks, but don't expect any saves. |
| Scott Linebrink | CWS | 1 | 4 | 3 | 59 | 4.18 | 1.47 | Could get SVO when Bobby Jenks gets a break. |
| Juan Cruz | ARI | 1 | 5 | 0 | 91 | 3.45 | 1.21 | Cheap source of Ks for NL-only leaguers. |
| Peter Moylan | ATL | 1 | 4 | 5 | 54 | 2.53 | 1.13 | Top insurance option for Soriano owners. |
| Eddie Guardado | TEX | 1 | 1 | 8 | 48 | 3.45 | 1.46 | Dark-horse closer candidate. |
| Yasuhiko Yabuta | KC | 1 | 3 | 5 | 55 | 4.17 | 1.31 | Could be next in line for SVO if Joakim Soria struggles. |
| Justin Speier | LAA | 1 | 3 | 1 | 52 | 4.01 | 1.06 | Source of Ks and good ratios in AL-only play. |
| Manny Delcarmen | BOS | 1 | 4 | 0 | 49 | 2.88 | 1.02 | Expect continued improvement. |
| Brandon Morrow | SEA | 1 | 3 | 2 | 81 | 3.98 | 1.43 | Could be joining rotation. |
| Matt Guerrier | MIN | 1 | 3 | 3 | 61 | 2.88 | 1.11 | Steady option coming off strong all-around campaign. |
| Kevin Correia | SF | 1 | 10 | 0 | 112 | 4.01 | 1.41 | Might land rotation spot after promising audition. |
| David Weathers | CIN | 1 | 6 | 5 | 48 | 3.98 | 1.35 | Returns to setup role with Francisco Cordero in town. |
| Justin Duchscherer | OAK | 1 | 4 | 3 | 52 | 3.41 | 1.15 | Expected to try out for starting role. |
| David Riske | MIL | 1 | 2 | 3 | 57 | 4.04 | 1.26 | One of many Eric Gagne insurance options. |
| Kerry Wood | CHC | 1 | 4 | 4 | 60 | 3.15 | 1.23 | Could thrive in second year of relief work. |
| Cla Meredith | SD | 1 | 6 | 3 | 58 | 3.43 | 1.44 | Slick control artist burried in deep 'pen. |
| Duaner Sanchez | NYM | 1 | 4 | 3 | 43 | 4.13 | 1.22 | Looking to regain '06 form after missing all of '07. |
| Akinori Otsuka | FA | 1 | 4 | 5 | 37 | 4.09 | 1.24 | Free agent's ability to rebound in question. |
| Ryan Madson | PHI | 1 | 4 | 2 | 53 | 3.96 | 1.23 | Will battle Tom Gordon for top setup job. |
| Luis Vizcaino | COL | 1 | 5 | 3 | 71 | 4.46 | 1.44 | Expect slight improvement in home numbers. |
| Dan Wheeler | TB | 1 | 3 | 3 | 70 | 4.06 | 1.27 | Mild rebound candidate. |
| Santiago Casilla | OAK | 1 | 2 | 0 | 64 | 3.77 | 1.13 | Don't expect return to early '07 form |
| Joel Peralta | KC | 1 | 4 | 3 | 71 | 3.75 | 1.31 | In hunt to be Joakim Soria's top setup man. |
| Joel Zumaya | DET | 1 | 2 | 4 | 36 | 3.66 | 1.08 | Expected to return around midseason. |
| Rafael Perez | CLE | 1 | 2 | 0 | 65 | 3.01 | 1.14 | Tough left likely to remain highly effective. |
| Keith Foulke | OAK | 1 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 4.28 | 1.30 | Consider if Huston Street gets dealt. |
| Jason Frasor | TOR | 1 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 4.19 | 1.18 | Good source of Ks, but better alternatives abound. |
| Bob McCrory | BAL | 1 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 4.51 | 1.46 | Future closer with ability to get Ks, grounders. |
| Geoff Geary | HOU | 1 | 3 | 2 | 50 | 4.25 | 1.45 | Middling reliever needs to regain command. |
| Chris Perez | STL | 1 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 3.78 | 1.31 | Future closer could take over from Izzy next year. |
| Jim Hoey | BAL | 1 | 2 | 5 | 53 | 4.08 | 1.32 | Cheap relief option could sneak in saves. |
| J.C. Romero | PHI | 1 | 2 | 1 | 54 | 2.53 | 1.26 | "Lefty specialist" means little in fantasy. |
| LaTroy Hawkins | NYY | 1 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 4.15 | 1.35 | Expect rough return to AL East. |
| Edwar Ramirez | NYY | 1 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 4.55 | 1.40 | Intriguing power reliever. |
| Matt Wise | NYM | 1 | 2 | 2 | 48 | 3.84 | 1.39 | Could enjoy resurgence in new surroundings. |
| Mike MacDougal | CWS | 1 | 2 | 1 | 56 | 4.09 | 1.33 | Health woes derailed '07 season. |
| Saul Rivera | WAS | 1 | 3 | 4 | 55 | 3.74 | 1.44 | Has potential value only if Chad Cordero gets dealt. |
| Shawn Chacon | HOU | 1 | 6 | 0 | 83 | 4.79 | 1.49 | Could wind up starting again. |
| Taylor Buchholz | COL | 1 | 5 | 0 | 65 | 4.36 | 1.33 | Long reliever until rotation spot opens up. |
| Guillermo Mota | MIL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 4.99 | 1.30 | Steer clear of fading setup man. |
| Bill Bray | CIN | 1 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 4.45 | 1.60 | Promising lefty fighting for job. |
| Mike Gonzalez | ATL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2.04 | 0.83 | Will spend most of '08 rehabbing after TJ surgery. |
| Kyle Farnsworth | NYY | 1 | 2 | 0 | 71 | 4.14 | 1.34 | Fading K rate a concern. |
| Byung-Hyun Kim | PIT | 1 | 5 | 0 | 92 | 4.77 | 1.53 | Erratic sidewinder to pitch in both rotation, 'pen. |
| Bob Wickman | FA | 1 | 2 | 4 | 32 | 4.03 | 1.61 | Proven FA vet could see SVO. |
| Jorge Julio | CLE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 5.12 | 1.57 | Former closer will have to battle for bullpen spot. |
| Ryan Franklin | STL | 1 | 5 | 0 | 46 | 4.38 | 1.49 | Control artist best suited for 4x4 formats. |
| Salomon Torres | MIL | 1 | 3 | 1 | 54 | 4.45 | 1.45 | Minimal value in crowded 'pen |
| Armando Benitez | FA | 1 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 5.52 | 1.84 | Creaky ex-closer trying to hang on. |
| Chris Ray | BAL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | On long road back from TJ surgery. |
| Ross Ohlendorf | NYY | 1 | 3 | 1 | 47 | 3.97 | 1.38 | Could develop into high-impact setup man. |
| Casey Weathers | COL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 4.61 | 1.28 | 07 draftee on fast track with closer potential. |
| Daniel Moskos | PIT | 1 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 4.72 | 1.65 | Former college reliever should move fast. |
| Evan Meek | PIT | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 4.91 | 1.89 | Hard-throwing Rule 5 pick will get Ks. |
| Casey Janssen | TOR | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Out for season with torn labrum. |
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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