Relieving stress
Search bargain bin for fantasy bullpen
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RAFTING a closer/reliever is like going to Best Buy to purchase a DVD for your collection (yes, we’ve heard about that whole streaming thing, but play along): You have to know where to look in the store for the best deals.
Being that this is a position that constantly changes throughout the season, you have to make sure you spend your money wisely.
When you walk into the store, the first thing you’ll see are the new releases — movies you rush out to get because you will likely watch them over and over again. Those flicks are like the top-end closers — Milwaukee’s Josh Hader, the Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman, Houston’s Roberto Osuna, San Diego’s Kirby Yates or Oakland’s Liam Hendriks — but they’re going to cost you, and it’s not always worth the price.
For example, Hader has the highest average draft position of all relievers (63.84), according to Fantasy Alarm, which means you’d be selecting him over valuable position players like DJ LeMahieu, Matt Olson, Eloy Jimenez, Bo Bichette and Paul Goldschmidt, or starters like Noah Syndergaard and Mike Soroka.
As you look on the lower shelves, you’ll find older titles you’ve seen hundreds of times, like “Jaws” or “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” This is the equivalent of oftinjured Blue Jays closer Ken Giles (135.34), the Dodgers’ slowlydeclining ninth-inning man Kenley Jansen (120.47) or Cleveland’s Brad Hand (115.24). They’re classics, but still may cost more than you’re willing to spend.
For the best deals, you’re going have to search the bargain bin.
You won’t have to dig too deep to find Minnesota’s Taylor Rogers (122.85), one of Roto Rage’s top relief targets this season. Not only does Rogers have a mid-90s fastball, the lefty also collected 30 saves in 36 chances, a career-low ERA (2.61) and recorded a career-high 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
You can also find the Mets’ Edwin Diaz (129.41), a Roto Rage bounceback favorite, who is just one year removed from recording 57 saves with a 1.96 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 73¹/₃ innings. As you continue to sift through that upper layer, you’ll come across solid titles for your collection, like “Mrs. Doubtfire,” or “My Cousin Vinny.” This is where you’ll find the likes of the White Sox’s Alex Colome ( 162.74), who may not be the sexiest name in the stack but has a 2.78 ERA and 126 saves since 2016 (including 30 last year). Others you’ll find here: Boston’s Brandon Workman ( 170.07), Philadelphia’s Hector Neris (152.96) and Arizona’s Archie Bradley (184.06), who recorded all 18 of his saves, a 1.71 ERA and . 191 opponent average in the second half of 2019. Just hanging out in the middle of the bin are “Weekend at Bernie’s,” and “Grandma’s Boy,” which are fun to watch , but many will question your judgement for owning them. This is where you’ll find the Angels’ Hansel Robles (182.05), the Rangers’ Jose Leclerc (186.27) and Kansas City’s Ian Kennedy (208.73), who all but resuscitated his career by moving to the bullpen and collecting 30 saves.
There also may be some highly acclaimed foreign films worth giving a try just because they’re cheap and you have the opportunity. This is where you find someone like St. Louis’ Giovanny Gallegos (224.90), who struck out 11.3 per nine with a 16.3 percent swinging strike rate and may get a chance to close as Carlos Martinez gets a shot at the rotation.
If you dig toward the bottom of the bin, you can find some some 1980’s flicks that once brought you much joy (no matter how bad they are), like the classic Hulk Hogan vehicle “No Holds Barred.” People may laugh at the fact you own them, but Detroit’s Joe Jimenez (231.12), Pittsburgh’s Keone Kela (226.03) and Colorado’s Scott Oberg (268.73) will make you smile just by seeing them in your RP spot. You can also find other relievers who aren’t closers but rack up in other categories — like Seth Lugo (296.92), A.J. Puk (240.93) or even Dellin Betances (351.9).
If you reach the bottom, you’re looking at the Orioles, Mariners and Giants situations. That means you’re staring at Carrot Top’s 1998 thriller “Chairman of the Board,” which means you might as well saw off your hand and leave it in the bin.