Late-Round Middle Relief Value

If I asked a random fantasy baseball participant what the most neglected position in fantasy baseball was year in and year out, what would that person say? One could throw the ol' catcher card out, saying there are really only a few difference makers and most owners just ignore the position till the end of the draft. But the position that by far doesn't get enough attention is that of middle relief.

In ordinary drafts, the best middle relievers are available to anyone near the end of the draft. They sit in free agency throughout most of the year, only earning a pickup when they look to be positioned to earn some save opportunities. But why?

Even though these guys aren't going to help you in saves, they'll do wonders for three of the other four pitching categories, and they actually end up with more wins than you think as well. Remain unconvinced? Check out Knox Bardeen's 2009 article for a pretty strategic end-game move involving these forgotten value picks.

So the question remains -- who are the specific guys you should target to gain maximun value out of those late-round picks? Here are a few:

Matt Thornton, White Sox
2009: 72.1 IP, 2.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 6 Wins, 4 Saves, 87 Ks, 20 BBs
2008: 67.1 IP, 2.67 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 5 Wins, 1 Save, 77 Ks, 19 BBs

Now one of the best setup men in the game over the last two years, Thornton loses save potential with J.J. Putz coming to town. Still, with an ERA under 3.00 and a WHIP around 1.00, he'll do his best to keep the ratios of your team in check.

Michael Wuertz, Athletics
2009: 78.2 IP, 2.63 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 6 Wins, 4 Saves, 102 Ks, 23 BBs
2008: 44.2 IP, 3.63 WHIP, 1.43 WHIP, 1 Win, 0 Saves, 30 Ks, 20 BBs

The move to Oakland worked wonders for Wuertz. When looking for high-quality middle-relievers in roto leagues that have an innings limit, you want to find guys that can strike out as many batters in as few innings as possible. That's exactly what Wuertz gave you last year, with triple-digit Ks.

J.P. Howell, Rays
2009: 66.2 IP, 2.84 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 7 Wins, 17 Saves, 79 Ks, 33 BBs
2008: 89.1 IP, 2.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 6 Wins, 3 Saves, 92 Ks, 39 BBs

When the Rays acquired Rafael Soriano, the bell may have tolled on Howell's time in the ninth inning. However, he's been great over each of the last two years, and he doesn't lose all of his value. Soriano isn't the most reliable guy in the world either, so the door remains open for Howell to nab a few saves throughout the year.

Ryan Madson, Phillies
2009: 77.1 IP, 3.26 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 5 Wins, 10 Saves, 78 Ks, 22 BBs
2008: 82.2 IP, 3.05 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 4 Wins, 1 Save, 67 Ks, 23 BBs

If you like your middle relievers to come with saves potential attached, Madson is the guy you want. Phillies closer Brad Lidge was horrendous last year, and you have to believe his leash will be much shorter in 2010. Should the 2009 version of Lidge reappear, Madson will be handed the closer role, and he should run with it.

Daniel Bard, Red Sox
2009: 49.1 IP, 3.65 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 2 Wins, 1 Save, 63 Ks, 22 BBs

The young flamethrower has blossomed since being converted into relief, and he remains a potential closer candidate down the road. His K/9 numbers have been over 11.5 in the minors over the last two years, and he kept it going in the majors for Boston. A prime breakthrough candidate.

Luke Gregerson, Padres
2009: 75.0 IP, 3.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 2 Wins, 1 Save, 93 Ks, 31 BBs

Gregerson burst onto the scene in 2009 with the Padres after being acquired in the Khalil Greene deal, and I'd say that San Diego got the much better end of that bargain. Gregerson uses a fastball-slider combo to make hitters look silly. The Padres marched him out there 72 times in 2009, and he should be able to help your team on a near-weekly basis.