This was originally posted on Rotojunkie.com, but the board over there has been taken down and moved with the archives disappearing. I’m posting this years after the fact…
First, let’s get a refresher on the MRM.
The idea is that you acquire three middle relievers amongst your nine pitchers whose stats will combine to give you those of a top flight starting pitcher at 1/5th to maybe ½ of the price. The price you will pay for your “Cheap Cy” as Bod [Bodhizefa, a poster from the board] termed them (and I like it, so I’ll keep it) depends on what echelon of reliever you aim to acquire.
The method is becoming much more prevalent these days (just as Bod predicted back in ’05 when he made brought this to light at RJ), so much so that the Rotoworld.com Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide put a section in their magazine dedicated to specifically to middle relievers. The way for this method to have the most success is to find the next Rafael Betancourt, Jonathan Broxton or Carlos Marmol as opposed to paying the premium for one (or more) of that trio. That said, you don’t avoid these three by any stretch. You will still encounter leagues where middle relievers, even the best, are undervalued. It is rare, but not completely unheard of…
Exclusions for the MRM:
This methodology is not viable in 4×4 leagues unless one of the four categories is strikeouts, though I’ve rarely seen that. It is best employed in standard 5×5 leagues. As the number of categories increases, the methodology will likely decrease in viability because Holds will likely enter the landscape, which automatically shines the spotlight on the landscape of middle relievers.
Tenets for the MRM:
• 3 relievers, 2 is too few unless you get something like Betancourt-Broxton, but then the point of it being a cheap way to improve the pitching is likely eliminated since they’re such high profile. 4 are too many since you’re taking up too many roster spots.
• 1 of your relievers should be a big innings guy. Last year, there were:
o 31 relievers who pitched 70+ IP
o 13 relievers who pitched 80+ IP
o 3 relievers who pitched 90+ IP
• Acquire relievers with high strikeout rates. The bar should be set no lower than 7.0 K/9. Last year, there were:
o 80 relievers who had a 7.0+ K/9
o 51 relievers who had a 8.0+ K/9
o 34 relievers who had a 9.0+ K/9
o 12 relievers who had a 10.0+ K/9
o Those 80 relievers averaged 57 IP
o Those 51 relievers averaged 57 IP
o Those 34 relievers averaged 57 IP
o Those 12 relievers averaged 52 IP
• All three needn’t be above that rate, but the best and most useful will end up there. Don’t eliminate the sub-7.0 K/9 relievers just because of the K-rate.
• That said the 7.0+ K/9 guys are going to be your best bets. With the measure I created to assess relievers, the top 50 middle relievers had an average of 9.1 K/9 and only six of them dropped below the 7.0 mark.
• All of the top 28 were at 7.9 K/9 or above with an average of 9.8 K/9.
• The seven pitchers in the Top 50 that were below 7.0 K/9 had an average of 6.6 K/9.
The List:
• To rank the middle relievers, I ranked the top 126 relievers by ERA, K:BB and K/9. Then I took the rankings of all three categories and weighted the strikeout rates by 1 and the ERA by 2 and divided the total by 3 to come up with a “score”. I don’t know if this is the best system, but I found the results to be viable enough to be useful. Frankly, you could probably just use K/9 and go by that.
• Joba Chamberlain’s remarkable 24-inning cup of coffee last year was far and away the best score at 4.7. He ranked 25.3 points above the 2nd place Jonathan Broxton.
• We’re going to look at things from a few different angles. First let’s look at how the Top 50 ranked using the scoring method I devised:
RK PLAYER TEAM LG IP W L HLD SV ERA RK K:BB RK K/9 RK TOTAL 1 Joba Chamberlain NYY AL 24 2 0 8 1 0.38 1 5.67 2 12.75 2 4.7 2 Jonathan Broxton LAD NL 82 4 4 32 2 2.85 27 3.96 4 10.87 8 30.0 3 Jensen Lewis CLE AL 29.1 1 1 5 0 2.15 13 3.40 13 10.52 9 30.7 4 Rafael Perez CLE AL 60.2 1 2 12 1 1.78 4 4.13 3 9.27 28 33.7 5 Rafael Betancourt CLE AL 79.1 5 1 31 3 1.47 3 8.89 1 9.10 31 34.0 6 George Sherrill BAL AL 45.2 2 0 22 3 2.36 20 3.29 18 11.15 5 36.3 7 Carlos Marmol CHC NL 69.1 5 1 16 1 1.43 2 2.74 32 12.50 3 36.3 8 Heath Bell SDG NL 93.2 6 4 34 2 2.02 10 3.40 14 9.85 16 36.7 9 Russ Springer STL NL 66 8 1 11 0 2.18 15 3.47 9 9.00 32 51.0 10 Damaso Marte PIT NL 45.1 2 0 15 0 2.38 21 2.83 30 10.18 12 56.0 11 Joaquin Benoit TEX AL 82 7 4 19 6 2.85 28 3.11 24 9.55 19 61.7 12 Juan Cruz ARI NL 61 6 1 4 0 3.10 43 2.72 34 12.84 1 63.7 13 Justin Speier LAA AL 50 2 3 24 0 2.88 29 3.92 5 8.46 43 67.3 14 Hideki Okajima BOS AL 69 3 2 27 5 2.22 16 3.71 7 8.22 51 68.7 15 Octavio Dotel CHW AL 30.2 2 1 1 11 4.11 83 3.42 12 12.22 4 71.3 16 Troy Percival TAM AL 39 3 0 3 0 1.85 7 3.40 15 7.85 53 72.7 17 Pat Neshek MIN AL 70.1 7 2 15 0 2.94 31 2.74 33 9.50 20 73.7 18 Justin Miller FLA NL 61.2 5 0 17 0 3.65 64 3.08 25 10.88 7 74.7 19 Chad Qualls ARI NL 82.2 6 5 21 5 3.05 37 3.12 23 8.54 42 89.7 20 Bob Howry CHC NL 81.1 6 7 22 8 3.32 52 3.79 6 7.99 52 92.7 21 Scott Downs TOR AL 58 4 2 24 1 2.17 14 2.38 49 8.84 36 94.3 22 Ryan Rowland-Smith SEA AL 38.2 1 0 3 0 3.96 78 2.80 31 9.90 14 97.0 23 Dan Wheeler TAM AL 74.2 1 9 18 11 5.30 116 3.57 8 9.95 13 98.3 24 Manny Delcarmen BOS AL 44 0 0 11 1 2.05 11 2.41 47 8.39 45 99.3 25 Al Reyes TAM AL 60.2 2 4 0 26 4.90 110 3.33 17 10.47 10 100.3 26 Chris Schroder WAS NL 45.1 2 3 1 0 3.18 47 2.87 29 8.58 40 100.3 27 Matt Lindstrom FLA NL 67 3 4 19 0 3.09 42 2.95 26 8.33 47 101.0 28 Michael Wuertz CHC NL 72.1 2 3 8 0 3.48 58 2.26 58 9.86 15 111.7 29 Matt Guerrier MIN AL 88 2 4 14 1 2.35 18 3.24 19 6.95 83 114.0 30 Fernando Rodney DET AL 50.2 2 6 12 1 4.26 89 2.57 39 9.68 18 116.3 31 Jeremy Accardo TOR NL 67.1 4 4 2 30 2.14 12 2.38 50 7.65 59 117.0 32 Bobby Seay DET AL 46.1 3 0 10 1 2.33 17 2.53 41 7.42 66 118.3 33 John Bale KAN AL 40 1 1 5 0 4.05 82 2.47 44 9.45 21 119.7 34 Rudy Seanez LAD NL 76 6 3 4 1 3.79 70 2.70 35 8.64 39 120.7 35 Brian Fuentes COL NL 61.1 3 5 8 20 3.08 40 2.43 46 8.25 49 121.7 36 Jon Rauch WAS NL 87.1 8 4 33 4 3.61 63 3.38 16 7.34 68 126.0 37 Jimmy Gobble KAN AL 53.2 4 1 16 1 3.02 33 2.17 63 8.46 44 129.0 38 Joe Smith NYM NL 44.1 3 2 10 0 3.45 56 2.14 64 9.18 29 130.3 39 Andrew Brown OAK AL 41.2 3 3 3 0 4.54 97 2.53 42 9.39 24 130.7 40 Tim Byrdak DET AL 45 3 0 8 1 3.20 49 1.88 82 9.80 17 131.7 41 Jason Frasor TOR AL 57 1 5 4 3 4.58 100 2.57 40 9.32 27 133.7 42 Scot Shields LAA AL 77 4 5 31 2 3.86 75 2.33 52 9.00 33 135.0 43 Lee Gardner FLA AL 74.1 3 4 9 2 1.94 9 2.89 28 6.32 101 135.0 44 Lenny DiNardo OAK AL 34.2 1 2 0 0 1.82 6 3.14 21 5.79 113 138.0 45 Randy Flores STL NL 55 3 0 14 1 4.25 88 3.13 22 7.69 58 138.7 46 Aaron Heilman NYM NL 86 7 7 22 1 3.03 36 3.15 20 6.59 97 141.0 47 Pedro Feliciano NYM NL 64 2 2 18 2 3.09 41 1.97 73 8.58 41 141.3 48 Cla Meredith SDG NL 79.2 5 6 10 0 3.50 59 3.47 11 6.70 94 144.3 49 Santiago Casilla OAK AL 50.2 3 1 12 2 4.44 95 2.26 57 9.32 26 146.3 50 Joel Peralta KAN AL 87.2 1 3 7 1 3.80 71 3.47 10 6.81 89 146.3
• This list gives you the track record guys. Of course, that segues perfectly for me to mention something about this methodology as a whole: relievers are remarkably volatile. From year-to-year, things will change. On the positive, this allows you to find hidden gems. On the negative, you could invest in “sure things” and watch them blow up in your face. This caveat is why it’s smarter to invest less in your trio so that if things aren’t working out by June, then you can cut bait and try another.
• The next list is those 81 relievers that topped 7.0+ K/9 ranked by strikeouts per nine innings:
RK PLAYER TEAM LG IP W L HLD SV ERA RK K:BB RK K/9 RK TOTAL 12 Juan Cruz ARI NL 61 6 1 4 0 3.10 43 2.72 34 12.84 1 63.7 1 Joba Chamberlain NYY AL 24 2 0 8 1 0.38 1 5.67 2 12.75 2 4.7 7 Carlos Marmol CHC NL 69.1 5 1 16 1 1.43 2 2.74 32 12.50 3 36.3 15 Octavio Dotel CHW AL 30.2 2 1 1 11 4.11 83 3.42 12 12.22 4 71.3 6 George Sherrill BAL AL 45.2 2 0 22 3 2.36 20 3.29 18 11.15 5 36.3 53 Derrick Turnbow MIL NL 68 4 5 33 1 4.63 101 1.83 84 11.12 6 157.3 18 Justin Miller FLA NL 61.2 5 0 17 0 3.65 64 3.08 25 10.88 7 74.7 2 Jonathan Broxton LAD NL 82 4 4 32 2 2.85 27 3.96 4 10.87 8 30.0 3 Jensen Lewis CLE AL 29.1 1 1 5 0 2.15 13 3.40 13 10.52 9 30.7 25 Al Reyes TAM AL 60.2 2 4 0 26 4.90 110 3.33 17 10.47 10 100.3 56 Armando Benitez FLA NL 50.1 2 8 11 9 5.36 117 1.97 74 10.24 11 163.0 10 Damaso Marte PIT NL 45.1 2 0 15 0 2.38 21 2.83 30 10.18 12 56.0 23 Dan Wheeler TAM AL 74.2 1 9 18 11 5.30 116 3.57 8 9.95 13 98.3 22 Ryan Rowland-Smith SEA AL 38.2 1 0 3 0 3.96 78 2.80 31 9.90 14 97.0 28 Michael Wuertz CHC NL 72.1 2 3 8 0 3.48 58 2.26 58 9.86 15 111.7 8 Heath Bell SDG NL 93.2 6 4 34 2 2.02 10 3.40 14 9.85 16 36.7 40 Tim Byrdak DET AL 45 3 0 8 1 3.20 49 1.88 82 9.80 17 131.7 30 Fernando Rodney DET AL 50.2 2 6 12 1 4.26 89 2.57 39 9.68 18 116.3 11 Joaquin Benoit TEX AL 82 7 4 19 6 2.85 28 3.11 24 9.55 19 61.7 17 Pat Neshek MIN AL 70.1 7 2 15 0 2.94 31 2.74 33 9.50 20 73.7 33 John Bale KAN AL 40 1 1 5 0 4.05 82 2.47 44 9.45 21 119.7 80 Brandon Morrow SEA AL 63.1 3 4 18 0 4.12 84 1.32 120 9.41 22 198.0 54 Tyler Yates ATL AL 66 2 3 13 2 5.18 115 2.23 59 9.41 23 158.7 39 Andrew Brown OAK AL 41.2 3 3 3 0 4.54 97 2.53 42 9.39 24 130.7 64 Taylor Tankersley FLA NL 47.1 6 1 16 1 3.99 80 1.69 97 9.36 25 175.3 49 Santiago Casilla OAK AL 50.2 3 1 12 2 4.44 95 2.26 57 9.32 26 146.3 41 Jason Frasor TOR AL 57 1 5 4 3 4.58 100 2.57 40 9.32 27 133.7 4 Rafael Perez CLE AL 60.2 1 2 12 1 1.78 4 4.13 3 9.27 28 33.7 38 Joe Smith NYM NL 44.1 3 2 10 0 3.45 56 2.14 64 9.18 29 130.3 83 Jack Taschner SFO NL 50 3 1 13 0 5.40 119 1.76 92 9.18 30 201.3 5 Rafael Betancourt CLE AL 79.1 5 1 31 3 1.47 3 8.89 1 9.10 31 34.0 9 Russ Springer STL NL 66 8 1 11 0 2.18 15 3.47 9 9.00 32 51.0 42 Scot Shields LAA AL 77 4 5 31 2 3.86 75 2.33 52 9.00 33 135.0 55 Mark McLemore HOU NL 35 3 0 1 0 3.86 76 1.94 76 9.00 34 160.7 65 Trever Miller TB AL 46.1 0 0 12 1 4.86 108 2.00 69 8.98 35 176.0 21 Scott Downs TOR AL 58 4 2 24 1 2.17 14 2.38 49 8.84 36 94.3 61 Matt Thornton CHW AL 56.1 4 4 17 2 4.79 106 2.12 65 8.82 37 172.7 63 Renyel Pinto FLA NL 58.2 2 4 16 1 3.68 66 1.75 93 8.66 38 175.0 34 Rudy Seanez LAD NL 76 6 3 4 1 3.79 70 2.70 35 8.64 39 120.7 26 Chris Schroder WAS NL 45.1 2 3 1 0 3.18 47 2.87 29 8.58 40 100.3 47 Pedro Feliciano NYM NL 64 2 2 18 2 3.09 41 1.97 73 8.58 41 141.3 19 Chad Qualls ARI NL 82.2 6 5 21 5 3.05 37 3.12 23 8.54 42 89.7 13 Justin Speier LAA AL 50 2 3 24 0 2.88 29 3.92 5 8.46 43 67.3 37 Jimmy Gobble KAN AL 53.2 4 1 16 1 3.02 33 2.17 63 8.46 44 129.0 24 Manny Delcarmen BOS AL 44 0 0 11 1 2.05 11 2.41 47 8.39 45 99.3 92 Jon Coutlangus CIN NL 41 4 2 9 0 4.39 93 1.41 117 8.34 46 225.0 27 Matt Lindstrom FLA NL 67 3 4 19 0 3.09 42 2.95 26 8.33 47 101.0 52 C.J. Wilson TEX AL 68.1 2 1 15 12 3.03 35 1.91 80 8.33 48 151.3 35 Brian Fuentes COL NL 61.1 3 5 8 20 3.08 40 2.43 46 8.25 49 121.7 73 Will Ohman ATL NL 36.1 2 4 12 1 4.95 111 2.06 66 8.23 50 190.0 14 Hideki Okajima BOS AL 69 3 2 27 5 2.22 16 3.71 7 8.22 51 68.7 20 Bob Howry CHC NL 81.1 6 7 22 8 3.32 52 3.79 6 7.99 52 92.7 16 Troy Percival TAM AL 39 3 0 3 0 1.85 7 3.40 15 7.85 53 72.7 58 Brian Tallet TOR AL 62.1 2 4 1 0 3.47 57 1.93 78 7.83 54 170.0 97 Scott Eyre CHC NL 52.1 2 1 5 0 4.13 85 1.29 122 7.77 55 233.7 62 Salomon Torres MIL NL 52.2 2 4 5 12 5.47 120 2.65 37 7.76 56 173.0 77 Kevin Cameron SDG NL 58 2 0 1 0 2.79 26 1.39 119 7.76 57 193.3 45 Randy Flores STL NL 55 3 0 14 1 4.25 88 3.13 22 7.69 58 138.7 31 Jeremy Accardo TOR NL 67.1 4 4 2 30 2.14 12 2.38 50 7.65 59 117.0 82 Todd Coffey CIN NL 51 2 1 7 0 5.82 124 2.26 56 7.59 60 198.7 74 Dustin Nippert ARI NL 45.1 1 1 2 0 5.56 121 2.38 51 7.58 61 192.7 66 Jared Burton CIN NL 43 4 2 11 0 2.51 23 1.64 100 7.53 62 177.3 107 Frank Francisco TEX AL 59.1 1 1 21 0 4.55 98 1.29 121 7.46 63 249.3 98 Juan Rincon MIN AL 59.2 3 3 14 0 5.13 114 1.75 94 7.45 64 234.0 102 Luis Vizcaino COL NL 75.1 8 2 14 0 4.30 91 1.44 115 7.43 65 240.7 32 Bobby Seay DET AL 46.1 3 0 10 1 2.33 17 2.53 41 7.42 66 118.3 75 John Grabow PIT NL 51.2 3 2 8 1 4.53 96 2.21 62 7.38 67 193.0 36 Jon Rauch WAS NL 87.1 8 4 33 4 3.61 63 3.38 16 7.34 68 126.0 95 Joel Zumaya DET AL 33.2 2 3 8 1 4.28 90 1.59 104 7.32 69 233.0 59 Matt Wise NYM NL 53.2 3 2 13 1 4.19 86 2.53 43 7.27 70 170.3 71 Tom Gordon PHI NL 40 3 2 14 6 4.73 103 2.46 45 7.20 71 184.7 96 Kyle Farnsworth NYY AL 60 2 1 15 0 4.80 107 1.78 90 7.20 72 233.3 67 Darren Oliver LAA AL 64.1 3 1 8 0 3.78 69 2.22 61 7.16 73 180.0 78 Guillermo Mota MIL NL 59.1 2 2 6 0 5.76 123 2.61 38 7.16 74 194.0 110 Brandon Medders ARI NL 29.1 1 2 1 0 4.30 92 1.44 116 7.11 75 252.3 90 Jason Grilli DET AL 79.2 5 3 11 0 4.74 104 1.94 77 7.05 76 222.3 118 Brian Bruney NYY AL 50 3 2 6 0 4.68 102 1.05 125 7.02 77 270.0 101 Jeremy Affeldt CIN NL 59 4 3 9 0 3.51 60 1.39 118 7.02 78 236.0 117 Jonah Bayliss PIT NL 37.2 4 3 4 0 8.36 126 1.61 102 7.02 79 265.0 99 Sean Green SEA AL 68 5 2 13 0 3.84 74 1.56 105 7.01 80 234.3
FYI: The rank on the far left of the above list is their overall rank using my devised scoring method.
The usefulness of the above is list that it is where you are likely to find the diamonds in the rough.
Here is a breakdown of those Top 81 in strikeout rates by League:
o National League: 42
o American League: 39
Diamonds in the Rough (these are the guys most likely to be the next Betancourts and Broxtons):
o 1 Rafael Perez, CLE
o 2 Justin Miller, FLA
o 3 Matt Guerrier, MIN
o 4 Jensen Lewis, CLE
o 5 Santiago Casilla, OAK
o 6 Michael Wuertz, CHC
o 7 Juan Cruz, ARI
o 8 Matt Lindstrom, FLA
o 9 Brandon Morrow, SEA
o 10 Taylor Tankersley, FLA
o 11 Tony Pena, ARI
o 12 Joel Peralta, KC
o 13 Chris Schroder, WAS
o 14 Jimmy Gobble, KC
o 15 Bobby Seay, DET
o 16 Joe Smith, NYM
o 17 Andrew Brown, OAK
o 18 Manny Delcarmen, BOS
o 19 Pedro Feliciano, NYM
o 20 Mark McLemore, HOU
o 21 Justin Speier, LAA
o 22 Tim Byrdak, DET
o 23 Kevin Cameron, SD
o 24 John Bale, KC
o 25 Peter Moylan, ATL
Grandpas (these guys had solid seasons last year, but they are ridiculously old, so it’s tough to bet on a repeat):
o 1 Russ Springer, 39 y/o
o 2 Al Reyes, 37 y/o
o 3 Rudy Seanez, 39 y/o
o 4 Trever Miller, 34 y/o
The Known Commodities (these guys are the premier middle relief aces as well as the steady, unheralded relievers :
o 1 Jonathan Broxton
o 2 Rafael Betancourt
o 3 Carlos Marmol
o 4 Joba Chamberlain
o 5 Heath Bell
o 6 Scot Shields
o 7 Aaron Heilman
o 8 Pat Neshek
o 9 Dan Wheeler
o 10 Hideki Okajima
o 11 Chad Qualls
o 12 Joaquin Benoit
o 13 Scott Proctor
o 14 Bob Howry
o 15 Fernando Rodney
o 16 Derrick Turnbow
o 17 Octavio Dotel
o 18 Damaso Marte
o 19 Jeremy Accardo
o 20 Al Reyes
Examples: (I’ll close with a series of combos from last year to show how the method works)
o Heath Bell, Peter Moylan and Scott Proctor:
o 276.7 IP
o 15-13 W-L
o 2.51 ERA
o 1.14 WHIP
o 229 K
o Matt Guerrier, Justin Miller and Joel Peralta:
o 237.3 IP
o 8-7 W-L
o 3.22 ERA
o 1.18 WHIP
o 208 K
o Rafael Betancourt, Joaquin Benoit and Aaron Heilman:
o 247.3 IP
o 19-12 W-L
o 2.48 ERA
o 1.00 WHIP
o 230 K
o Jonathan Broxton, Pedro Feliciano and Jon Rauch:
o 233.3 IP
o 14-10 W-L
o 3.20 ERA
o 1.15 WHIP
o 231 K
o Cla Meredith, Pat Neshek and Matt Thornton:
o 205.3 IP
o 16-12 W-L
o 3.68 ERA
o 1.30 WHIP
o 188 K
o Scott Downs, Rafael Perez and Justin Speier:
o 168.7 IP
o 7-7 W-L
o 2.25 ERA
o 1.04 WHIP
o 166 K
A few final thoughts:
• Patience can be rewarded, but it’s a method that allows you a choice between patience and knee-jerk reactions. Personally, I give my guys that I target a fair shot to perform. Remember, relievers have small samples so one outing can balloon an ERA, but if they are still blowing batters away, then they are going to hold their bullpen spot and get a fair chance bring that ERA down. If you loved someone in the offseason and acquired them and then they suffer a rough April in six innings of work, but still hold a 9 K/9 or something like that, then I’d stand pat with them.
• Even if you plan to be patient with your initial picks, this method (like scouring for saves) takes in-season leg work. Always be alert of the next big thing. Carlos Marmol didn’t pitch until May 19th last year!
• If you start paying mid-teens in auctions for the upper-echelon of middle relievers, you’re not employing the strategy properly. The point is to get top 15-20 starter numbers for next-to-nothing cost.
• I’ll close with a few DEEEEEP sleepers:
o Kerry Wood, CHC
o Edwar Ramirez, NYY
o Renyel Pinto, FLA
o Vinnie Chulk, SF
o Wil Ledezma, SD
o Jack Taschner, SF
o Jon Coutlangus, CIN
o Guillermo Mota, MIL
o Lenny DiNardo, OAK
o Zach Miner, DET
o Tyler Yates, ATL
o David Aardsma, CHW
o Royce Ring, ATL
There it is, folks. I hope this helps you if you choose to employ what I believe is a very viable strategy. Please feel free to ask any questions or offer any players you think will be useful pieces in this strategy. Enjoy!
Baseball By Paul 
Leave a Reply