SP Eligible Relievers

Using elite, non-closing relievers was probably the first fantasy specialty I developed. In the good ol’ days, an astute owner could gain a substantial advantage by using Sergio Romo and Mike Adams. The emergence of a thousand elite relievers has put the strategy on the map. Everybody is doing it, and the sheer quantity of substitutes strips away the advantages.

If we want to stay ahead of the competition, we have to take it another step. One of my favorite fantasy tactics is to use relievers in a SP slot. Relievers post better ratios than starters, and their wins per inning are usually comparable to waiver wire starters.

In certain league types, starter eligible relievers are a core component of a winning roster. Jeff Zimmerman and I share a points league where the best relievers post 10 points per inning compared to six points per inning for starters. When we squeeze eight relievers into the starting lineup on a given day, we’ve created a serious advantage.

While Yahoo and CBS use innings caps, many ESPN leagues use a games started cap. That means you have unlimited relief innings – it’s just a matter of finding the spots. Other league types and platforms confer similar advantages.

The poster child in 2014 was Wade Davis. Alas, he’s lost his starter eligibility. He posted nine wins, 109 strikeouts, a 1.00 ERA, and 0.85 WHIP in 72 innings. A Cy Young caliber starter wins about 20 games in over 200 innings. Davis out earned that pace. Obviously, the other three stats were also huge, and he even added three saves to the mix.

Acquiring a Davis is easier said than done, but it helps to be prepared. Below is a list of all relievers with starter eligibility in Yahoo. Some pitchers will slip through the cracks using this methodology, so let’s discuss those in the comments.

As your little eyes can see, I’ve created some halfassed categories. As you might intuit, “Yes” means I would use these players if they receive the proper role. Not all are created equal nor are they in any particular order. For example, McAllister is one of my favorite sleepers. If he’s used as a reliever, he’s the first SP eligible RP I’ll target. The other roles are equally self explanatory. Maurer also ranks near the top of the list, although he’s not nearly as sleepy.

More starters will land in the bullpen by the beginning of the season. For example, I included Roark above because we know he’s blocked in the rotation. A guy like Tsuyoshi Wada or Odrisamer Despaigne could wind up in long relief, but it’s still up in the air (they would be classified as “Eh”). Others like Cory Luebke and Josh Tomlin are probably midseason options.

That about does it. Analysis of the above relievers is a subject for another day. Let’s chat about who you do and don’t like in the comments.