So now what? (Remaining relievers)

[Centerfield]

With Reed off the market, is our pen done? Greg Holland is left, but I’ve never been big on him. Plus he faded badly last year.

No lefties out there that I know of. I guess that’s it.

Maybe we sign a starter and move one of the current guys into the pen. Still think maybe Gsellman can be good in short stints.

I dunno. I got nothing else.

[nymr83]

Maybe we see if we are contenders and then acquire relievers midseason. They are always available.

[Guest 41Forever]

Speaking of acquiring relievers during the season, we stockpiled a punch last year. Are any of them likely to make the team?

[Edgy MD]

A good chance one might, probably one of the two who debuted last year. Rhame or Callahan. Only one of the remaining flock played as high as AA last season.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

We saw a little of Callahan and Rhame last season but I couldn't say if either distinguished themselves.

I'm counting down the days until the Drew Smith Era begins.

[Edgy MD]

Smith's the one who reached AA. He could come quick, probably in 2018, but probably not out of camp.

I just double-checked. He DID pitch one inning in AAA while with the Tampa Bay system (the second of three organizations he was part of last year). So he's got that going for him.

[Edgy MD]

Right now, the leaders are:

[list:isfifszy][*:isfifszy]Jerry Blevins*[/*:m:isfifszy]
[*:isfifszy]Chasen Bradford[/*:m:isfifszy]
[*:isfifszy]Jeurys Familia[/*:m:isfifszy]
[*:isfifszy]Rafael Montero[/*:m:isfifszy]
[*:isfifszy]A.J. Ramos[/*:m:isfifszy]
[*:isfifszy]Hansel Robles[/*:m:isfifszy]
[*:isfifszy]Josh Smoker*[/*:m:isfifszy]
[*:isfifszy]Anthony Swarzak[/*:m:isfifszy][/list:u:isfifszy]
Bradford and Smokey's slots are the two most fungible. That list also presumes they are carrying an eight-man bullpen, but I certainly hope they don't.

[smg58]

Holland did well enough pitching in Colorado the first year back from TJS. The physical might be make-or-break for him, but I'd have no problem giving him a look if the expected price is coming down.

There are a few lefties out there. None have particularly big names, although Brian Duensing is coming off a good year.

[Ceetar]

Alderson implied they weren't necessarily looking to add another reliever.

I'd wait too, unless they take some fliers on some minor league guys. no reason to burn a 40 man spot (lose a player) on a reliever that might not even be a big part of the team. Wait until you can 60 day some guys, etc.

[Vic Sage]

• Jerry Blevins*
• Chasen Bradford
• Jeurys Familia
• Rafael Montero
• A.J. Ramos
• Hansel Robles
• Josh Smoker*
• Anthony Swarzak

Bradford and Smokey's slots are the two most fungible. That list also presumes they are carrying an eight-man bullpen, but I certainly hope they don't.

Edgy MD wrote: Right now, the leaders are:

I'd say Bradford, Robles and Montero are on the bubble, too. Montero's out of options, but he's shown little to deserve a major league roster spot. i'd much rather have Lugo as a spot starter in the pen; he's been effective in both roles. Robles has great stuff but gets hit... hard. Bradford? meh. Sewald has a better minor league resume and showed some effectiveness in NY, too, and Callahan and Rhame have more upside. And I think they'll carry Smoker unless they sign a better lefty.

And i definitely think an 8-man pen is a bad idea overall, but having an extra arm early in the season (when its cold and your pitchers are still stretching themselves out) may be more useful than an extra bat. They might carry 8 until Conforto comes back at least. But i hope not after that.