2023 Asset Group Analysis – (E+,K+)

(Photo by Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire)

by Pat Cloghessy

Does it pay to pay? For top relief pitchers, this is a question that must be considered. The (E+,K+) asset group offers a smorgasbord of food for thought on this subject.

ADP

PITCHER

Pos

Sk-

Inj

Cost

$26

Diaz,Edwin

NYM

E+

K+

Rg-

0.50

$25

Clase,Emmanuel

CLE

E+

K+

Rg-

0.50

$17

Pressly,Ryan

HOU

E+

K+

inj-

3.00

$18

Williams,Devin

MLW

E+

K+

sv-

Rg-

0.50

119

$11

Bednar,David

PIT

E+

K+

sv-

INJ

4.00

165

Munoz,Andres

SEA

E+

K+

sv-

INJ

4.00

199

Hendriks,Liam

CWS

E+

K+

sv-

INJ+

5.00

218

Fairbanks,Peter

TBR

E+

K+

sv-

INJ

Rg-

3.50

134

$10

Duran,Jhoan

MIN

E+

K+

2.00

541

$(3)

Suarez,Robert

SDP

E+

K+

INJ

Rg-

5.50

560

$(4)

Alvarado,Jose

PHI

E+

K+

INJ+

5.00

687

$(6)

Espino,Daniel

CLE

E+

K+

2.00

709

$(6)

Kahnle,Tommy

NYY

E+

K+

0.25

732

$(6)

Cleavinger,Garrett

TBR

E+

K+

2.00

999

$(9)

Waites,Cole

SFG

E+

K+

2.00

Top closing options Edwin Diaz and Ryan Pressly (pictured) both reside here. Track records of success lend credence to their hefty sticker prices. Diaz is the alpha of the group, and will set you back a 2nd round pick. Pressly offers a two round discount to Diaz’ price. Don’t sleep on Devin Williams, who appears to be in line for the lion’s share of work in Milwaukee. He goes off just ahead of Pressly. Difference being, BABS projects Pressly as a full-time closer.

The save opps don’t end there. Big arms like David Bednar and Andres Munoz filter into the conversation sometime after pick 115. Both offer assets comparable to the big boys, but at a significant markdown. Risks abound with this pair, as they are accompanied by injury questions and relative inexperience in the role. With the assets of a top closer, Bednar and Munoz feel free(!) at their ADP, but the risk is already priced in. Munoz can be had about three rounds after Bednar.

Peter Fairbanks could be the biggest bargain of all. Again, top skills are present. Yes, Tampa has a tendency to lean into sharing duties at the back end, but they also just paid Fairbanks $12 million for the next 3 years. Is their investment in Pete enough to stoke your belief? To be honest, it doesn’t matter much. Rostering a RP with (E+,K+) at pick 220 is a BABS special. Don’t blink.

While BABS doesn’t expect it, Jhoan Duran has the skills to close games in 2023. If we’re discussing him in this asset group, that much should be obvious. Even if he doesn’t gain the job at any point this season, he can chip in a few saves while helping the rate stats. Duran is rosterable either way. The market sees the same thing, as he is being drafted near Bednar territory (ADP 130). Early drafters could end up with a steal if Duran ends up winning some share of the job when the Twins head north.

Digging deep: Garrett Cleavinger appeared in nine games for Tampa Bay after a trade from the Dodgers in 2022. He saved 2 games. He’ll cost nothing to draft (ADP 735). If there is room for one lottery ticket RP, Cleavinger wouldn’t be terrible. Also, he’s one of those guys you can feel good about drafting but not bad about dropping for early FAAB action.

NOTES: The ratings in the above analysis may vary slightly from the latest database update which was run after this analysis was written. To engage with other readers on this topic, head over to the Reader Forums. If you have a question that would be best answered by one of our experts and benefit everyone, submit it on our Contact Page and put MAILBAG in the Subject Line.