Are there any relievers that we still want to look at/sign up?

 Not to fret over unnecessary stuff here but in looking at the list of unsigned relievers I am wondering if we want to jump into the pool on this one.  

Let's start out by being real.  No remaining reliever is going to move the needle on an increase in wins this year like we expect that Josh Bell might.  However, bringing in a veteran reliever or two may help prevent a bullpen implosion caused by injury or poor performance.  Once we get to the playoffs, like Shaw last year, whoever we bring in might not even be needed and, if needed, is not enough for us to pull ahead of the best of the AL, meaning, like this year where we got a favorable playoff draw, we are likely to be out in round 1 or round 2.    But a good reliever or two might cement us MAKING the playoffs again.  So, while not critical, a good like-to-have.

Unfortunately, like all of free agency, the value set for relievers in this market is extreme.   You could be talking $5-8 million a year for 2-3 years to get a decent reliever.

So, maybe like the starting pitcher free agent market, we stay with what we currently have because what is out there is overpriced with many of our best prospects being starting pitchers 0.5-2 years away from being serious contributors.  

Don't know, just throwing it out there.   So, let's talk relievers.

LEFTY RELIEVERS

Look, we could use a veteran lefty reliever.   We don't NEED one as we have Hentges, but to protect his arm we could use a second lefty who we can count on.  So let's look and talk.

Andrew Chafin - He will likely be the most pricy but we should kick the tires.  Looking at our minor leagues I don't see a lot of guys Chafin would block if we signed him to a 2-3 year deal.   That is unlike the right side of our minor league pitching prospects where I could see 3-4 of our top 30 prospects being relievers when they hit the majors for good either this year or next year.

Brad Hand - A guy who might be in a REASONABLE (don't necessarily read "OUR") price range and could be had on a one year deal.  His playoff numbers stink but, aside from that, he would be a veteran presence in our bullpen, if healthy.   Plus, obviously, he has closing experience.

Matt Moore - Another guy like Chafin who command large bucks over multiple years.  Again, kicking the tires is not a bad idea.

Daniel Norris - A bargain basement guy, in my opinion.  But right where we like to shop.   High K rate but high ERA, too, with Detroit last year.  

Aroldis Chapman - Just for completeness sake I am adding him but for a team that really values character and fit in a clubhouse that is more than the sum of its parts due to unity and camaraderie, don't think he fits here.   Maybe on a minor league deal with an opt out for him on March 30th.  Maybe.

Will Smith - Historically a solid reliever who will likely get a higher-than-expected (years and dollars) contract, we kick the tires and see if he ends up having to settle for a one year deal.  However, if he does, he likely goes back to Houston or Atlanta.

TJ McFarland - Another former Cleveland guy, coming in on a prove me contract or, likely, a minor league deal, I like him a lot.  Just a veteran left-handed reliever, sort of the lefty equivalent of Bryan Shaw

Caleb Smith - Talking about a lefty Bryan Shaw, here is your doppleganger.   Again, one year prove it deal I am on board with looking at him.

RIGHTY RELIEVERS

Do we need one?  Like a veteran starting pitcher, probably not unless we have an injury or someone flames out.  Do we really expect De Los Santos to repeat his performance from last year?  Maybe.  But what if he doesn't?  So the question is do we upgrade or do we just place another call to Bryan Shaw?   My hunch is that, like Shaw last year, this guy would go to ST on a minor league deal.  Let's take a look:

Bryan Shaw - Would you come back to an organization that dissed you for a playoff spot?  I don't know.  But if you are getting paid, are in a role you are comfortable and familiar with with players and coaches you are comfortable with, why not if you don't have a better opportunity (read: reasonable major league offer).

Matt Wisler - A great option, I just don't see him getting stuck accepting a minor league deal.   He does have experience as an opener and, at a younger age, is probably a better pitching version of Shaw.  Again, I doubt he has to settle for a minor league deal, which is what I think we are left with here, given our roster situation, total and relief pitcher-wise, and could replace Morgan and be an upgrade, I think.  Not needed to replace Morgan so probably not cost effective, but, just sayin'.

Wily Peralta - The BMW of available righty relievers, if we can get him on a reasonable one year deal I pull the trigger today, assuming he is a good clubhouse presence.  He is an upgrade over Shaw and gives us protection for our biggest potential weakness, De Los Santos.  No way this guy has to settle for a minor league deal and he is likely looking at 3 years, maybe $20 million.  Not in our price range.

David Phelps - See Peralta.  I don't see us affording him given how the reliever free agent market has set itself this off-season.

Darren O'Day - Think Bryan Shaw but two years older.  Maybe a minor league deal is possible with him if Shaw goes elsewhere.

Michael Fulmer - Second tier after Peralta and Phelps.  Still out of our price range as he gets a multi-year major league deal for good bucks, I think.

Craig Stammen - Another guy, like Shaw and O'Day, who might have to accept a minor league deal, he is worth a look as a solid veteran presence in the bullpen, like Shaw was last year.  But, if you are going to add him instead of Shaw, it better be because Shaw is hurt or likely to be after his useage last year.   If Shaw is good, you go with him for his loyalty and professionalism.

SUMMARY

So, there you have it.  We NEED a veteran lefty reliever, even at the price of having to DFA Benson.  We don't need a veteran righty reliever and I don't see us paying market value for a good one, meaning we shop in the bargain basement section again and come away with someone like Shaw, O'Day or Stammen or, if all the stars align, Wisler on a one year deal at the expense of DFAing Benson right now.