Just a few years ago, bullpen arms weren’t viewed as highly as they are now. With strategy, money and pure talent being harnessed by team’s, bullpens have become essential parts of winning teams — seen in our MLB rankings.
MLB rankings: Bullpens
When one thinks of Major League Baseball’s top relievers, there are mainstays that come to mind.
There are the bonafide closers like Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman, and Kenley Jensen. Then there are set-up men like Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller.
Following closers and set-up men comes a whole array of various bullpen usages. There’s a lefty or righty specialist, or a “seventh inning guy.”
Simply, it’s impossible to deny the value of the bullpen in modern baseball.
Teams have spent a lot of money on nailing down the best of the best (Hello, Aroldis Chapman). On the other hand, teams have traded elite prospects for just three months of an elite reliever (Looking at you, Chicago Cubs).
If you don’t believe that teams can have their season secured by a good reliever, then look no further than the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win after acquiring Chapman. With this being said, let’s take a look at which teams have flashed the strongest bullpens this season.