| Relief Pitcher Rankings |
| Rank |
Team |
Player |
IP |
SV |
ERA |
WHIP |
SO |
| 1 |
 |
J.J. Putz |
71.2 |
40 |
1.38 |
0.70 |
82 |
|
Putz has emerged as baseball's most dominant closer, with a nearly unhittable fastball. Expect him to be among the league leaders in saves with a miniscule ERA and WHIP once again.
|
| 2 |
 |
Jonathan Papelbon |
58.1 |
37 |
1.85 |
0.77 |
84 |
|
Sure, he struggled in his first apperance of 2008. But Papelbon is still lights out, especially if his shoulder stays healthy. |
| 3 |
 |
Joe Nathan |
71.2 |
37 |
1.88 |
1.02 |
77 |
Nathan still has the talent to be baseball's best closer. The question is whether the rebuilding Twins will get him enough chances to save games.
|
| 4 |
 |
Takashi Saito |
64.1 |
39 |
1.40 |
0.72 |
78 |
Even after two seasons in the league, opposing hitters still haven't figured out the crafty Saito. Until they do (if it ever happens), Saito will remain an elite closer.
|
| 5 |
 |
Francisco Rodriguez |
67.1 |
40 |
2.81 |
1.25 |
90 |
|
Even though he is unhappy with his contract, you can still expect big things out of K-Rod. He's consistently one of the top strikeout artists among relief pitchers. |
| 6 |
 |
Jose Valverde |
64.1 |
47 |
2.66 |
1.12 |
78 |
|
The major-league saves leader last season as a Diamondback, Valverde should have similar success in his first year in Houston.
|
| 7 |
 |
Francisco Cordero |
63.1 | 44 | 2.98 | 1.11 | 86 |
|
Cordero had a big bounce back season in Milwaukee after a disappointing 2006. He should rack up saves as the Reds new closer, but could be homer-prone in hitter friendly Great American Ballpark.
|
| 8 |
 |
Bobby Jenks |
65 |
40 |
2.77 |
0.89 |
56 |
|
Jenks seems to always have a nagging injury or two, but he has stayed as dominant as every other top closer. |
| 9 |
 |
Mariano Rivera |
71.1 |
30 |
3.15 |
1.12 |
74 |
|
Rivera is still a top-notch closer, but he's been slowed by injuries in recent years. And at age 38, he's not as intimidating as he once was.
|
| 10 |
 |
Jason Isringhausen |
65.1 |
32 |
2.48 |
1.07 |
54 |
|
Izzy keeps on chugging along for the Cards, as he has recorded at least 25 saves in each of the past eight seasons. St. Louis might not win as many games as they have in recent years, but Isringhausen should still be good for at least 30 saves.
|
| 11 |
 |
Matt Capps |
79 |
18 |
2.28 |
1.01 |
64 |
|
Capps isn't quite overpowering, but he has gotten the job done. After becoming Pittsburgh's closer last June, he converted 18 of his 20 save opportunities with a 1.81 ERA.
|
| 12 |
 |
Brad Lidge |
67 |
19 |
3.36 |
1.25 |
88 |
|
Lidge is still one of baseball's most dominant pitchers when healthy. But he's already hurting for his new team. Lidge will miss the first couple weeks of the season with a knee injury.
|
| 13 |
 |
Manny Corpas |
78 |
19 |
2.08 |
1.06 |
58 |
|
Corpas took hold of the Rockies' closer role last summer and never looked back. He even tamed hitter-friendly Colorado, posting a 1.96 ERA at home.
|
| 14 |
 |
Billy Wagner |
68.1 |
34 |
2.63 |
1.13 |
80 |
|
Even after all these years, Wagner is still throwing smoke. But the 37-year-old Wagner faded late last season, blowing four save opportunities after August 1.
|
| 15 |
 |
Chad Cordero |
75 |
37 |
3.36 |
1.39 |
62 |
|
Cordero is only 26, but he's already entering his fourth season as a closer. Even though the Nats don't win a lot of games, Cordero still gets a lot of save opps because when Washington does win, they usually win close.
|
