For a third consecutive season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were not represented on MLB Network’s The Shredder’s list of top 10 relief pitchers.
The Shredder looked at a two-year sample for relief pitchers when determining its 2021 rankings, but weighed this past season more heavily.
New Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks claimed the top spot for 2021, after a dominant two-year stretch with the Oakland Athletics. The right-hander was the most valuable reliever in baseball, accumulating 5.2 WAR (FanGraphs) while posting a 1.66 ERA over 97 games.
The rest of the list, in order, consists of Drew Pomeranz, Devin Williams, Nick Anderson, James Karinchak, Brad Hand, Aroldis Chapman, Aaron Bummer, Tyler Duffey and Josh Hader. Of the group, only Hendricks, Chapman and Hader appeared on The Shredder’s 2020 rankings.
MLB Network analysts Sarah Langs and Mike Petriello each had Hendriks atop their respective lists as well, but Vince Gennaro selected Hader for his No. 1 spot.
While the Dodgers weren’t featured on The Shredder’s 2021 rankings, it is worth noting their bullpen was among the league’s best last season. The unit finished third in FanGraphs’ WAR (3.5), trailing only the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins (3.6 each).
Jake McGee, who is now a free agent, led the Dodgers bullpen with 0.7 WAR last season, posting a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 innings. Other standouts include Victor Gonzalez, who posted a 1.40 ERA as a rookie; and Adam Kolarek, whose 0.95 ERA was the lowest among L.A. relievers with a minimum of 15 innings pitched.
The Dodgers bullpen has undergone somewhat of a makeover this offseason, with Corey Knebel, Tommy Kahnle and Brandon Morrow among the new additions. Blake Treinen was re-signed, but the club is still searching for another high-leverage and could look to add Hand, who would help fortify the closer role.
L.A. also is said to have significant interest in signing former San Diego Padres closer Kirby Yates, who ranked No. 1 on the Shredder’s list of top 10 relievers as recently as the 2020 season.
MLB Top 10 relief pitchers right now for 2021
| Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello | Sarah Langs | Vince Gennaro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liam Hendriks (White Sox) | Liam Hendriks (White Sox) | Liam Hendriks (White Sox) | Josh Hader (Brewers) |
| 2 | Drew Pomeranz (Padres) | Nick Anderson (Rays) | Devin Williams (Brewers) | Nick Anderson (Rays) |
| 3 | Devin Williams (Brewers) | Devin Williams (Brewers) | Josh Hader (Brewers) | Ryan Pressly (Astros) |
| 4 | Nick Anderson (Rays) | Josh Hader (Brewers) | Nick Anderson (Rays) | Liam Hendriks (White Sox) |
| 5 | James Karinchak (Indians) | Drew Pomeranz (Padres) | Aroldis Chapman (Yankees) | Giovanny Gallegos (Cardinals) |
| 6 | Brad Hand (free agent) | Aroldis Chapman (Yankees) | Zack Britton (Yankees) | Zack Britton (Yankees) |
| 7 | Aroldis Chapman (Yankees) | James Karinchak (Indians) | Raisel Iglesias (Angels) | Devin Williams (Brewers) |
| 8 | Aaron Bummer (White Sox) | Edwin Diaz (Mets) | James Karinchak (Indians) | Aroldis Chapman (Yankees) |
| 9 | Tyler Duffey (Twins) | Raisel Iglesias (Angels) | Drew Pomeranz (Padres) | Amir Garrett (Reds) |
| 10 | Josh Hader (Brewers) | Brad Hand (free agent) | Seth Lugo (Mets) | Kirby Yates (free agent) |
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