MLB Free Agency: Best Bullpen Options Outside of “Big Three”

The MLB free agency market for closers is as good as it has been in recent memory. Outside of the three powerhouses, however, still lies talented options to come out of the bullpen.

Any MLB team that is in the market for a closer is in awe this offseason. Though Mark Melancon just signed with the Giants, Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen are still available. Each reliever has the ability to make a huge impact. This season the trio of closers had a combined 130 saves. In 198 innings they combined for a staggering 259 strikeouts. Each one of these guys is a great option, and it is hard to go wrong when choosing to sign any one of them.

Statistically, Melancon is the most dependable of the mix. He had the same amount of saves as Jansen with two less blown saves, and had a better save percentage than both. Melancon threw more innings than both men, and despite having the worst strike out numbers consistently got batters out. Despite not being as dominant of a force, Melancon still used his talent to be the dependable closer that he is.

Aroldis Chapman is the superstar of the mix. Although statistically he did not contribute as much as the others, his 100+ MPH fastballs are a spectacle of their own. His strike-out rate is considerably high and when his control his on he is near unhittable.

Kenley Jansen may be the best of both worlds out of the three men. Jansen shows the consistency of Melancon, only throwing three less innings with two more blown saves. Jansen strikes batters out at a great rate as well, as his cutter has been compared to Mariano Rivera. His ERA is the highest of the bunch, but at 1.83 it is not a concern.

Outside of this power trio however lies very productive bullpen arms. These guys may fly under the radar, but will definitely provide significantly in 2017.