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BULLPEN BUYERS GUIDE: Intriguing possibilities
Doug Dennis - June 15, 2007
Here are some interesting names and situations to tuck away, particularly in deep leagues or leagues with deep reserve rosters.
Jason Hammel (TAM)
Hammel makes an intriguing option in a bullpen starved for help. Hammel is 6'6" and his stuff is good enough that at Durham this year, in 76.1 innings as a starter, he had a 8.8 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 3.3 K/BB, only 3 home runs allowed and a .216 oppBA. That is very, very solid. The conversion to relief for the Devil Rays may cause a hiccup, so purchase with caution, but Hammel has the potential to be outstanding in relief.
Matt Lindstrom (FLA)
After being passed over for the closer role a few times now, Lindstrom is putting together a very nice season so far. Lindstrom has out-pitched fellow rookie Henry Owens, although it is not apparent on its face:
IP K/9 K/BB HR/9 ERA xERA ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== Lindstrom 26.1 8.9 2.4 0.0 4.10 3.86 H.Owens 23.0 6.3 1.6 1.2 1.96 4.75
Given the choice of these two pitchers, Lindstrom is a good discount buy right now and Owens is a clear sell.
Fernando Rodney (DET)
Todd Jones has been awful; Rodney has returned but has a 5.25 ERA to overcome, due to his uncharacteristic 1.5 HR/9 (compared to his 0.9 xHR/9). His 3.73 xERA is good enough to close -- but Jim Leyland was rewarded for his stubbornness last season and will hope for the same results. Unfortunately, Joel Zumaya is out and Jones is not living up to his end, so at some point, Leyland may need to improvise. Consider Rodney while his ERA is over 5.00.
Winston Abreu (WAS)
Abreu has a 5.89 ERA after 18.1 innings, but he has a 8.8 K/9, 1.5 BB/9, 6.0 K/BB, 3.87 xERA, and the unfortunate 1.5 HR/9 and 50% flyball rate. Abreu has had one unfortunate outing, but remember that Washington is a flyball pitcher's best friend. Abreu might surprise some folks in deep leagues. He is worth keeping an eye on for the future.
Zack Greinke (KC)
Greinke started out with a brilliant March, a decent first few weeks, then a disastrous outing, and another, banishment to the pen, and erratic ups and downs in the pen. Greinke is supposedly the current Plan B for the Royals, and while his 1.4 HR/9 and 4.46 xERA makes him less than closer-worthy, the Royals' other options are not pretty. Keep an eye on the Royals for a change, and if it comes, watch to see if Greinke gets the role over Soria or Peralta.
Damaso Marte (PIT)
Matt Capps may be unavailable and Salomon Torres is hurt. It could open the door for Marte to earn a handful of saves, in the short term. Marte has a 1.33 ERA supported by a 10.2 K/9, 2.6 K/BB and 0.0 HR/9 so he is capable. Marte is head and shoulders above the rest of the relievers in the Pirates pen, so the fact that he is left-handed should not penalize him in getting save chances. He is a nice short-term option.
Scott Williamson (BAL)
Williamson has trouble staying healthy, but he may be the best reliever in the Orioles pen. So far, he has a 2.45 ERA, 10.6 K/9, 2.2 K/BB and 0.0 HR/9. Behind Chris Ray, Danys Baez has struggled and Williamson may be asserting himself enough to become the Plan B for the closer role. It would not be a big surprise for Williamson to work his way into some save chances later on in the year -- but the catch is that he has to remain healthy enough to do it.
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