2008 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Relief Pitchers

By Kevin Kleps

The top 20 fantasy baseball relief pitchers for the 2008 season, with 2007 statistics in parentheses):

1. Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox (1-3, 1.85 ERA, 37-40 SAVE OPP., 58.1 IP, 84 K)
2. J.J. Putz, Mariners (6-1, 1.38 ERA, 40-42 SAVE OPP., 71.2 IP, 82 K)
3. Francisco Rodriguez, Angels (5-2, 2.81 ERA, 40-46 SAVE OPP., 67.1 IP, 90 K)
4. Joe Nathan, Twins (4-2, 1.88 ERA, 37-41 SAVE OPP., 71.2 IP, 77 K)
5. Takashi Saito, Dodgers (2-1, 1.40 ERA, 39-43 SAVE OPP., 64.1 IP, 78 K)
6. Billy Wagner, Mets (2-2, 2.63 ERA, 34-39 SAVE OPP., 68.1 IP, 80 K)
7. Mariano Rivera, Yankees (3-4, 3.15 ERA, 30-34 SAVE OPP., 71.1 IP, 74 K)
8. Bobby Jenks, White Sox (3-5, 2.77 ERA, 40-46 SAVE OPP., 65 IP, 56 K)
9. Jose Valverde, Astros (1-4, 2.66 ERA, 47-54 SAVE OPP., 64.1 IP, 78 K)
10. Francisco Cordero, Reds (0-4, 2.98 ERA, 44-51 SAVE OPP., 63.1 IP, 86 K)
11. Rafael Soriano, Braves (3-3, 3.00 ERA, 9-12 SAVE OPP., 72 IP, 70 K)
12. Huston Street, Athletics (5-2, 2.88 ERA, 16-21 SAVE OPP., 50 IP, 63 K)
13. Trevor Hoffman, Padres (4-5, 2.98 ERA, 42-49 SAVE OPP., 57.1 IP, 44 K)
14. Manny Corpas, Rockies (4-2, 2.08 ERA, 19-22 SAVE OPP., 78 IP, 58 K)
15. Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals (4-0, 2.48 ERA, 32-34 SAVE OPP., 65.1 IP, 54 K)
16. Chad Cordero, Nationals (3-3, 3.36 ERA, 37-46 SAVE OPP., 75 IP, 62 K)
17. Todd Jones, Tigers (1-4, 4.26 ERA, 38-44 SAVE OPP., 61.1 IP, 33 K)
18. Brad Lidge, Phillies (5-3, 3.36 ERA, 19-27 SAVE OPP., 67 IP, 88 K)
19. Joe Borowski, Indians (4-5, 5.07 ERA, 45-53 SAVE OPP., 65.2 IP, 58 K)
20. Matt Capps, Pirates (4-7, 2.28 ERA, 18-21 SAVE OPP., 79 IP, 64 K)

Short hops

Rivera finally drops out of the top five after posting his highest ERA since 1995, his rookie season. … Nathan has averaged 40 saves the last four seasons, a span in which he’s blown just 14 opportunities. … Lidge injured his knee and might not be ready for opening day. Don’t draft him as your top closer. … The Tigers’ Jones has a combined 115 saves the last three seasons. The problem: He’s a closer who only gets a strikeout about every other inning. … A few to watch: The Cubs’ closer (likely Bob Howry), the Diamondbacks’ save leader (likely Brandon Lyon) and the Jays’ B.J. Ryan, who is trying to recover from injury but was 74-for-83 in save opportunities from 2005-06.