Improving ERA and WHIP: Who is the best middle relief guy?

[kaiser]

I've always liked the strategy of keeping at least one strong middle-relief guy in my lineup, in order to get that extra inning or two of low era and whip each day or so. in the past, Linebrink and Scot Shields have been my favorites.

I'd be interested in who you all think is the best in this role right now in the bigs? I'm playing Linebrink, and he's been good. Just wondering if there is someone better that I am missing.

[Legia13]

Some of my favorites at the moment include Okajima, Pat Neshek, and Jonathon Broxton. Heath Bell is producing some nice k numbers as well.

[theultimate69]

Rafael Soriano?

25 IP
10 H
6 BB
25 K
2.52 ERA
.64 WHIP
.119 BAA

The ERA is the worst part of his stats and it's 2.52...

[knapplc]

I've always been partial to Scot Shields.

[SendHelp]

i think okijama has been the best to date. but there is like 10 who are all pretty even.

[ja515y]

toss-up between Soriano and Shields. They get it done every year.

[The Guru]

This is my fav strategy in roto, middle relief pitchers.

At the top Neshek, Soriano:
Neshek has been dominate the last 2 years, he is beeing groomed to be the closer of the future in Minn once the Twins don't resign Nathan.
Sorinao will put up almost as sick K's, Ratios as NEshek but will throw in a Save here and there since Wickman is old and injury prone. Also has the chance for saves throughout the year if/when Wickman gets hurt again.

Then go with Shields. Sure his #'s aren't as good as previous years but the guy is a proven stud MR

[BitterDodgerFan]

yea i second heath bell...he's this yr's neshek with those strikeouts!

[samjerky]

Thanks for the tip. I just picked up Neshek.

Another tip for those who want to use it (and if you think it's not right to do it - then don't!) is to have enough relief pitchers to fill up your RP and P slots (in Yahoo), and then have a relief pitcher with SP elibility to put into one of your SP slots when you are only getting one start (which will be often). Some names (from top to bottom IMO) - Kevin Gregg, Brett Myers, Zack Greinke.

If you are in a roto league with innings limits, this may put you over your limit. But that's OK. You'll probably burn some of that off when someone goes on the DL, and if you don't, then you have the opportunity to trade for some extra offensive juice toward the end of the year, if you can make it happen.

[A Fleshner Fantasy]

I like Broxton for this catagory, and Shields and Linebrink is usually a good bet as well. A good sleeper for this is Manny Corpas on Colorado.