RHP Tom Wilhelmsen, $1,400,000
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
For this world class bullpen, it only makes sense to have a member of MLB’s best overall squad of relief pitcher’s from 2014. The Seattle Mariners had a ‘pen last year that got by with a cumulative ERA of 2.59. Lanky 6-foot-6 right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen was it’s biggest contributor, logging 75.1 innings of relief appearance.
He was so versatile for the M’s last season that Wilhelmsen even made two spot starts for them. Out of the bullpen he posted a 2.03 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, both ranking inside the top 25 for qualified relief pitchers.
His career ERA of 2.91 is a bit offset due to a rough 2013 when Wilhelmsen had a 4.12 mark over 59 IP. Since 2012, he’s also shown an ability to close games, having registered 54 saves in 66 opportunities. He’s more lethal in the seventh and extra innings of ball games, however. In the seventh, he boasts a career ERA of 0.94, while he has pitched 25 extra innings in his career to the tune of a very tidy 1.08 ERA.