In need of some bull pen advice

[Jimbo123]

I'm putting together a team for my second season and would appreciate a little feedback on some questions I've been pondering.

1. Is it worth it to carry a right hand specialist and a left hand specialist in your pen, especially when doing so would result in carrying 12 pitchers?

2. Can you get by with four relievers that are only R1 if you have a middle man/mop up pitcher that's rated R3, or do you really need to have at least one quality R2 in the pen?

I thank you in anticipation of responses.

Jimbo

[LMBombers]

1. Yes but you can still do that with 11 pitchers (6RP). Since they won't pitch much look for RP under 1M that are rated 6-9L and 6-9R.

2. If I use a bunch of R1 guys with only one R2 or R3 I would want my R2 or R3 guy to be my main guy in the pen that gets the most innings. Personally I want at least two R2 or R3 guys that I'm not afraid to use when the game is on the line.

[JOSEPHKENDALL]

I like to have 3 decent relievers and then use 2 specialist like Sambito and Clear.

[elpasopesos]

On my current team I am trying an experiment. I have two sets of RH/LH specialists with two I wouldn't cringe in horror to see him face the opposite batter (Durbin and Reyes) I have them set for avoid but no quick hook. I also have Camp and Shouse both set to avoid the opposite batter with quick hook. It is working well so far.

[Jimbo123]

El Paso, that's an interesting strategy. In my current league, my bull pen consists of Saito (R1/C5, my closer), Downs (R1/C2), Francisco Rodriguez (R1/C6), Okajima (R1/C0), Aquilino Lopez (R3) and Loe (R3, RH specialist). By the time the draft and waivers were over, there wasn't a reasonably priced R2. I agree that it's good to have one or two R2's. I am envious of one team in my league that has Ramon Ramirez and Craig Breslow, along with Capps as the closer.

I really like Aquilino Lopez, but I don't think he's anywhere near the caliber of Ramirez or Breslow. I guess every team has a weakness. I suppose mine is a good R2. Hoefully my starters (Sabathia, Lowe, Sheets, and Oliver Perez) can get deep enough where I don't over tax my pen.

Thanks to everyone for posting their thoughts.

Jimbo

[LMBombers]

Jimbo, Keep in mind that for every "good" thing on a player's card he goes up in salary so you are not getting your money's worth if you are not utilizing every aspect of anything good from a card. For instance if you have a 1 fielder at DH you are not getting that player's full value. You would be better off using a similar priced player that is a 4 or 5 fielder as your DH. The same is true for pitchers. Typically you never want to have two pitchers that have a C4 or higher rating. Pick one as your closer and get another similarly priced RP only for your other RP that has a high closer rating.

If your season has started you should just let it go this time as you will lose salary cap space by dropping players during the season so you wouldn't gain much by changing now.

[toronto50]

Jimbo IMO I think it depends on what season that you are using. A deep bullpen is not as important in ATG because the starters all go deep, S7 S8 S9's etc. The relievers and closers are also R2 R3 and R4's.

I find a good closer (Fuentes is best value in 2008) with a pretty good setup person (Breslow) is all u need. Then get several specialists. If u select 4 SP* then select a SP/RP who is strong oneway (Colon) so that he can utilised instead of a SP-only who never pitches.

[boyer14]

I wonder what others think about that fifth starter spot on teams with 4 SP*. I like teams built on offense that can score. Every relief pitcher I use is important, even in "mop-up" situations - as I hope to produce a big inning to get back into games when I fall behind early. Would you rather have a weak SP/RP on the roster in that fifth strater slot getting some relief innings or is it better to fill that fifth spot with a SP only that never pitches and just leave the relief work to the other 5, presumably better, relievers? Or maybe a cheaper SP that is good here and there? I have found Brett Myers - a 5L righty at 1.17M to work pretty well against teams stacked with lefthanded hitters and switch-hitters.