RELIEVERS: Pens that need relief

Less than ten days from the trade deadline, two playoff contenders and three also-rans comprise the five bullpens most worth watching over the next week or so. Because if there isn't change by the deadline, each team involved might regret it. For Arizona and Boston there is too much to lose to stand pat. For Cleveland, maybe there is a glimmer of getting back into this year's race, but the smarter money is to make fixes that will help in 2014 as the rotation blossoms. For the Cubs and Brewers who have been buried by the three bullies of the NL Central, the task is to get something useable for the future. Let's look at each of these pens in turn, starting with "A" for Arizona.

Arizona clings to first place, but the bullpen has certainly...

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

The relievers in this article are the ones most likely to have 20 or more holds at the end of the season.
Jul 12 2026 3:06am
This column examines the RPs who have at least a 20% K%-BB%, no more than a 1.0 HR/9, and no more than a 3.50 xERA as of July 1.
Jul 5 2026 3:09am
Returning closers and ineffective closers--this column has both and what to expect.
Jun 28 2026 3:07am
This column gets away from closers and looks at relievers who are being used in leverage by their teams. They are divided into groups by current xERA.
Jun 21 2026 3:07am

Tools