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MLB best: Top 5 Bullpens in the Game on Paper Right Now

By Jake Mastroianni

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 2: A view of the Oakland Athletics bullpen during the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 2, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 8-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 2: A view of the Oakland Athletics bullpen during the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 2, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 8-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA- OCTOBER 17: Kenta Maeda of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks out from the bullpen against the Milwaukee Brewers during game five of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Dodgers won 5-2. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/Digital First Media/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) /

Over the last several years there has been a lot of importance placed on having a lockdown bullpen to close out games in the MLB. We look at the MLB best bullpens on paper right now.

The MLB has its ebb and flows just like anything else, but right now we are certainly in the middle of a time when having a strong bullpen is a must.

Even in a somewhat slow offseason, we still see this happening as nine relievers have already been signed on multiple-year deals. And two of those players signed for over $30 million.

Zach Britton, a player who has only pitched in 79 games over the last two seasons and will play the 2019 season at age 31, tops that list as he was signed by the New York Yankees for $39 million over three years.

The biggest name on the reliever market remains out there in Craig Kimbrel. He figures to make a good bit more than what Britton signed for.

Teams are looking to shorten games by collecting three or four power arms in the back of the bullpen to close out a game.

We continue to see starting pitchers going shorter in games, and part of that is because managers have more confidence in the arms in their bullpen.

The top five teams from last year who had the best bullpen ERA all made the postseason. The Astros led that group at 3.03 with the Cubs, A’s, Yankess, and Brewers behind them.

Interestingly enough, the eventual World Series champions had the ninth best bullpen ERA last year. So just because you have the best bullpen in the game doesn’t mean you will win it all, but it certainly helps in getting you there.

Before we get into the top five, here are the teams who just missed the cut: Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, and Colorado Rockies.

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