Elias NL Relievers Posted

I know this one will generate a lot of responses because the rating don't look like one would expect. First I want to remind everybody of what statistics are used for relievers:

• Total Games (Relief Games + 2*Games Started)
• Innings Pitched (Weighted 75%)
• Wins + Saves
• Winning Percentage
• ERA
• IP/H
• K

Keeping in mind that the formula was developed in 1981, before the save statistic became the monster it is today, it makes sense that it makes up a small portion of this formula. Also, because players are ranked in the categories and then given a score, somebody who racks up a lot of saves will not move way up the list. Jose Valverde leads everybody in the wins+saves category with 94, and gets 144 points in the rankings for that. Several players tied at 8 are getting 76 points in the category. In short, the rankings don't overvalue closers.

As of now, Type A relievers include Ryan Dempster, Russ Springer, Juan Cruz, Brian Fuentes, Doug Brocail, and Kerry Wood. Also among the type A's in Takashi Saito, but I'm not sure if he is a free agent. With his elbow injury and age, I doubt anybody would give up a draft pick to get him anyways.

Type B free agents include Brian Shouse, Jason Isringhausen, Salomon Torres, Joe Beimel, Jeremy Affeldt, Bobby Howry, Dave Weathers, Trevor Hoffmna, Brandon Lyon, and Eric Gagne. Arthur Rhodes just misses out on Type B status.

Juan Cruz's appeal decreases if he will cost a draft pick to sign. I don't see Doug Brocail and Russ Springer netting picks, as it's just not worth it.

Once again, I want to point out these rankings are very close and subject to change in a hurry.

Next I'll go back through the position players. This should be more like rapid fire because I already have the DL info for most of these guys.