RELIEVERS: 2014 gambles

This week, the column takes on the inverse of last week—the gambles. These relievers are currently slated to get saves and to cost a bit at auction. But their BPIs should give you some pause before you roster them. There is risk. These are not the cream of the crop, game-over closers. But they make an interesting list:

                  IP  xERA WHIP  Dom  Cmd HR/9  G/F  BPV
==============   ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ===== ===
Axford (CLE)      58  3.29 1.36 10.2  2.4  1.1 47/30  96
Crain (HOU)       51  3.49 1.20 10.1  2.7  0.9 36/44  95
Brothers (COL)    73  3.24 1.26 10.6  2.3  0.6 48/32  90
Veras (CHC)       58  3.62 1.28  9.6  2.4  0.6 41/41  83
Hunter (BAL)      73  3.88 1.19  5.9  3.7  1.4 41/38  82
Hawkins (COL)     73 ...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Relief Pitchers

This column filters by first two weeks K%-BB% and then looks at the projections to make an early call on whether the elite start is real or not real.
Apr 19 2026 3:07am
Using projections for skills and early-season usage patterns, we look at five more bullpens.
Apr 12 2026 3:05am
We are a week into the 2026 season and can start to look for usage patterns in fluid bullpens. Griffin Jax's season so has left managers screaming.
Apr 5 2026 3:06am
Every week brings changes to bullpens. One game does not give us much, but it gives us something, like a Jordan Romano (RHP, LAA) save.
Mar 29 2026 3:06am
Checking in on the Twins, Tigers, Angels, Rangers and Athletics pens for Opening Day.
Mar 20 2026 3:10am

Tools