A solid bullpen is a requirement for a championship club. Bullpens are hard to build, however, and the performance of relief pitchers is notoriously volatile. Fortunately, this year's group of free agent relievers features some very dependable and highly effective pitchers.
FIP: Yorvit Hernandez is the top bullpen ace available for season 14 (3.15 over 65 1/3 IP). The ground-ball specialist also has experience as a closer, converting 80 of 97 career opportunities. Southpaw Brace Keller (3.79 in 98 IP) had a sparkling 10 - 0 record this past year and converted 46 of 50 opportunities in Season 12.
Fireman Albert Franco (3.86 in 128 1/3 IP) was arguably even more valuable to Pawtucket's success than last year's super free agent Dean Hernandez (4.11). Dominant veteran Gerald Kojima (3.95 in 70 2/3 IP) and Virginian Pat Creek (3.90 in 30 IP) round out the top 5 relievers by FIP.
Notable: Ryan Kinney ( 4.09 over 134 2/3) appeared in 99 games for Omaha. Wilson Sobkowiak managed a 14 and 3 record, Cory Jenkins was 11 and 3 and ageless Flip Heathcott was 7 and 2.
Something left in the tank? Albert Cordero (4.23 FIP in 25 2/3 IP) , Bob Maduro (4.32 FIP in 17 IP), Alfredo Collins (4.36 FIP in 73 IP), David Encarnacion (4.91 FIP 15.2) , and Miguel Fernandez (4.97 FIP in 48 2/3 IP) might still be able to contribute to the right major league team in some capacity.
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