MLB's Top Five Bullpens

In this chapter, one focused on the bullpens, things are a little on the hazy side. What I mean by that is, evaluating a bullpen isn't an exact science like evaluating an infield, where the positions are first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and catcher. With a bullpen there are long men, middle relievers, setup men, and closers, but those roles are utilized and defined differently by each major league club, with the sole exception being closer.

When I ranked the bullpens using my personal mathematical system, I factored in each team's top five relievers, leaving out the final two spots because some teams carry six bullpen arms, while others may carry seven. In addition, the back-of-the-bully type guys have a tendency to change due to a lack of effectiveness and subsequent AAA or AA call ups. 

That said, here's the shakedown:

5-(Tie) Boston Red Sox: Justin Masterson (or Manny Delcarmen), Ramon Ramirez, Takashi Saito, Hideki Okajima, and Jonathan Papelbon.

and Kansas City Royals: Robinson Tejeda, Ron Mahay, Juan Cruz, Kyle Farnsworth, and Joakim Soria.

If you've been keeping up with my posts -- and if you have, I'm thankful but shocked -- then you know that this is the first tie to appear in the rankings. The reason for the tie is when I initially rated the bullpens it seemed that Justin Masterson would be one of the key cogs for Boston, but now there is speculation that he may (at the very least) begin the season as a starter in lieu of complications with both Brad Penny and John Smoltz.

Personally, I'm not a huge Masterson fan, but I can't argue with the success he had after moving from the rotation to the bullpen in '08. If he's not out there this season, Boston's relief core loses a little punch.

As for the Royals, they've added Juan Cruz since the initial rankings. In my opinion Cruz has top-five stuff out of the non-closing relievers in baseball. A 94-98 mph fastball with late life, and a devastatingly filthy slider. 

Also, Farnsworth represents another power arm, and Mahay is a lefty specialist who doesn't have to specialize -- he can get righties out as well.

4-New York Mets: Sean Green, Pedro Feliciano, Brian Stokes, J.J. Putz, and Francisco Rodriguez

It's not often that a bullpen goes from the absolute worst to the top five in the span of a single offseason, but the Mets have done so here. Putz is a top ten closer, and yet he'll be reduced to a setup role as a member of the talented Met relief core. Of course he'll set up for "K-Rod," the man who set the single-season major league record for saves last year.

Stokes is a sleeper in middle relief with a 94-98 mph four-seam fastball (like the aforementioned Cruz), and a decent array of offspeed deliveries. Feliciano is a crafty, stellar lefty specialist with a baffling slider, and Green is a long man with an interesting arm angle.

3-Anaheim Angels: Justin Speier, Darren Oliver, Scott Shields, Jose Arredondo, and Brian Fuentes.

I'm not an Arredondo lover -- I think his numbers belied his ability in '08 -- but I can't deny the astounding success he had. Fuentes seemed to settle back in as a closer last year, and Shields is as steady as they come in setup situations. 

2-Philadelphia Phillies: Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge.

This group has excellent balance. Durbin found a home for himself in Philly's pen last season, which is odd considering the hitter-friendly dimensions of Citizens Bank park. Eyre is a fearless, reliable lefty to go along with a more explosive lefty in Romero. Madson is a top-notch setup guy with a nasty overhand hook, and of course Lidge is a premier closer.

Keep an eye on Lidge this year, though. I think he may be in for a bit of a letdown...

(Note: Romero has been suspended for 50 games because of steroid use. This will obviously hinder this particular bullpen's success rate during the first half of the MLB season.)

1-Chicago White Sox: D.J. Carrasco, Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel, Matt Thornton, and Bobby Jenks.

Straight up, this relief core has four pitchers that could serve as legitimate closers: Linebrink, Dotel, Thornton, and Jenks. Granted Linebrink is probably headed toward the downside of his career; nonetheless, he maintains a bulldog mentality and a mid-90s heater. He's been in his share of big spots, too.

Dotel, Thornton, and Jenks are studs -- especially Thornton. The big, young lefty has been strutting his stuff as a member of the United States' bullpen in the World Baseball Classic. It's rare to find a left hander that throws 93-94, let alone 96-98, which is Thornton's territory. He features a deceptive breaking ball as well.

Carrasco is a serviceable long man with the ability to spot start when called upon.