Free Agent Left Handed Relief Pitchers

Here is the final segment of “Free-Agent Scouting Reports”—“Left Handed Relief Pitchers.”

As always, players are ranked by whom I believe is the best available.

For anybody that reads this list and wonders why Chris Hammond is so low when in his last three seasons his ERA read as follows:

2002-0.95
2003-2.86
2004-2.68;

Well the answer, in short, is that even though he has been great recently, his career numbers do not stack up well against the other free agents on the list, and, his translated ERA is actually, believe it or not, in a downward trend (see numbers below).

Also, the reason Gabe White is ranked so high, after a miserable season in 2004, is because his career number are great when compared to the other free agents.


1. Steve Kline (32): Signed with Orioles, 2 years ($5.5 million) 2004 Statistics: 1.79 ERA, 50.3 IP, 37 Hits, 3 HR, 17 BB, 35 K, 19.9 VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 2.18 ERA, 7.0 H/9—0.5 HR/9—2.8 BB/9—5.3 K/9--////Career Statistics: 3.30 ERA, 523.7 IP, 479 Hits, 44 HR, 221 BB, 407 K////Translated career statistics: 2.94 ERA, 7.7 H/9—0.7 HR/9—3.4 BB/9—6.1 K/9--////Career K/BB of 1.84/1--////In each of the past three season’s Kline’s translated H/9 (02’-8.7, 03’-7.6, 04’-7.0) has gotten better////Only counting seasons in which Kline has pitched at least 50 innings, 2004 represented a career-best ERA (1.79), Hits allowed (37), BB (17), and a tie for career-best HR allowed (3) for Kline, while representing NO career-worst////Spent last four seasons in St. Louis (moderate pitcher’s park)////

2. Eddie Guardado (34): Option picked-up by Mariners 2004 Statistics: 2.78 ERA, 45.3 IP, 31 Hits, 8 HR, 14 BB, 45 K, 17.6 VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 2.48 ERA, 5.1 H/9—1.2 HR/9—2.7 BB/9—7.8 K/9--////Career Statistics: 4.40 ERA, 743.0 IP, 693 Hits, 107 HR, 282 BB, 650 K////Translated career statistics: 3.36 ERA, 6.9 H/9—1.0 HR/9—2.8 BB/9—7.8 K/9--////Career K/BB of 2.30/1--////Missed part of 2004 season because of injury////In each of the past three seasons, Gaurdado’s IP (02’-67.7, 03’-65.3, 04’-45.3) has decreased; since the decline between 02’ and 03’ isn’t that great, I will use Gaurdado’s “counting” stats for figuring out any trends his statistics have followed in the last three years////In each of the past three seasons, Guardado’s ERA (02’-2.93, 03’-2.89, 04’-2.78), Hits allowed (02’-53, 03’-50, 04’-31) and translated H/9 (02’-6.4, 03’-6.2, 04’-5.1) have gotten better, while his translated K/9 (02’-9.1, 03’-8.0, 04’-7.8), and K totals (02’-70, 03’-60, 04’-45) have gotten worse////With Gaurdado’s significant decrease in IP due to injury, his “counting” stats in 2004 will not be considered for career-bests and worst, his translated statistics will be used for this though////2004 represented a career-best translated H/9 (5.1) for Gaurdado, while also representing a career-worst translated HR/9 (1.2) for him////Spent last four seasons in Minnesota (neutral park), and Seattle (severe pitcher’s park)/////

3. Wilson Alvarez (35): Signed with Dodgers, 2 years ($4 million) 2004 Statistics: 4.03 ERA, 120.7 IP, 109 Hits, 12 HR, 31 BB, 102 K, 21.0 VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 3.71 ERA, 7.9 H/9—0.8 HR/9—1.9 BB/9—6.9 K/9--////Career Statistics: 3.94 ERA, 1723.7 IP, 1593 Hits, 183 HR, 798 BB, 1314 K////Translated career statistics: 3.50 ERA, 7.5 H/9—0.8 HR/9—3.5 BB/9—6.9 K/9--////Career K/BB of 1.65/1--////Was out of baseball in 2000, and 2001//// In each of the last three season’s Alvarez’s IP has increased (02’-75.0, 03’-95.0, 04’-120.7). Due to this, any of Alvarez’s “counting” stats that have risen on the same parallel as the IP (as they are supposed to do) will be discounted when figuring out recent trends for Alvarez; translated stats will be used for this though—of which there are none////2004 represented NO career bests, or worst for Alvarez////Spent last three seasons (not 4 since he was out of baseball in 2001) in Los Angeles (severe pitcher’s park), and Tampa Bay (neutral park)////

4. Kent Mercker (37): Signed with Reds, 2 years ($2.6 million) 2004 Statistics: 2.55 ERA, 53.0 IP, 39 Hits, 4 HR, 27 BB, 51 K, 18.6 VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 2.08 ERA, 6.2 H/9—0.6 HR/9—4.2 BB/9—7.7 K/9--////Career Statistics: 4.19 ERA, 1221.7 IP, 1202 Hits, 139 HR, 569 BB, 849 K////Translated career statistics: 3.94 ERA, 8.0 H/9—0.9 HR/9—3.8 BB/9—6.0 K/9--////Career K/BB of 1.49/1--////In each of the last three seasons, Mercker’s Hits allowed totals (02’-55, 03’-46, 04’-39), HR allowed (02’-12, 03’-6, 04’-4), K totals (02’-37, 03’-48, 04’-51), and translated H/9 (02’-8.3, 03’-6.6, 04’-6.2) have all gotten better////2004 represented a career-best translated H/9 for Mercker (6.2)////Spent last three (not 4 because Mercker was out of baseball in 2000) seasons in Chicago Cubs (slight pitcher’s park), Atlanta (slight pitcher’s park), and Colorado (severe hitter’s park)////

5. Jason Christianson (35): Signed with Giants, 1 yr/$1.15 million 2004 Statistics: 4.50 ERA, 36.0 IP, 34 Hits, 3 HR, 26 BB, 22 K, 2.8 VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 3.92 ERA, 7.4 H/9—0.7 HR/9—6.1 BB/9—4.8 K/9--////Career Statistics: 4.20 ERA, 388.0 IP, 354 Hits, 33 HR, 200 BB, 363 K////Translated career statistics: 3.71 ERA, 7.6 H/9—0.7 HR/9—4.3 BB/9—7.5 K/9--////Career K/BB of 1.81/1--////Since, in 2002, Christianson essentially did not pitch (only 5.0 IP), there are no recent trends of his to identify////2004 represented a career-worst translated BB/9 (6.1), and translated K/9 (4.8) for Christianson—excluding 2002////Spent last four seasons in St. Louis (moderate pitcher’s park), and San Francisco (severe pitcher’s park)////

6. Gabe White (33): Signed with Braves, 1 yr/$600,000 2004 Statistics: 6.94 ERA, 59.2 IP, 72 Hits, 14 HR, 12 BB, 41 K, (-6.9) VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 5.45 ERA, 8.7 H/9—1.4 HR/9—1.4 BB/9—5.6 K/9--////Career Statistics: 4.55 ERA, 562.1 IP, 542 Hits, 95 HR, 140 BB, 453 K////Translated career statistics: 3.72 ERA, 7.3 H/9—1.1 HR/9—1.8 BB/9—6.5 K/9--////Career K/BB of 3.24/1--////In each of the past three seasons, White’s translated ERA (02’-2.47, 03’-3.38, 04’-5.45), ERA (02’-2.98, 03’-4.05, 04’-6.94), HR allowed (02’-3, 03’-7, 04’-14), translated HR/9 (02’-0.4, 03’-1.1, 04’-1.4), and translated BB/9 (02’-1.2, 03’-1.3, 04’-1.4) have all gotten worse////2004 represented a career-worst translated ERA (5.45), and ERA (6.94) for White////Spent last four seasons in Cincinnati (moderate hitter’s park), New York Yankees (slight pitcher’s park), and Colorado (severe hitter’s park)

7. Buddy Groom (39): Signed minor league contract with Yankees 2004 Statistics: 4.78 ERA, 52.7 IP, 67 Hits, 6 HR, 16 BB, 32 K, 6.8 VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 3.98 ERA, 10.2 H/9—0.9 HR/9—2.4 BB/9—5.0 K/9--////Career Statistics: 4.63 ERA, 693.7 IP, 774 Hits, 68 HR, 248 BB, 474 K////Translated career statistics: 3.71 ERA, 8.9 H/9—0.8 HR/9—2.7 BB/9—5.9 K/9--////Career K/BB of 1.91/1--////In each of the past three seasons, Groom’s total Hits allowed (02’-44, 03’-58, 04’-67), BB allowed (02’-12, 03’-14, 04’-16), K totals (02’-48, 03’-34, 04’-32), translated H/9 (02’-6.6, 03’-9.9, 04’-10.2), and translated K/9 (02’-6.5, 03’-6.3, 04’-5.0) have all gotten worse////2004 represented NO career-bests or worst for Groom////Spent last four seasons in Baltimore (severe pitcher’s park until last season when it became a severe hitter’s park)////

8. Chris Hammond (39): Signed with Padres, 1 yr/$750,000 2004 Statistics: 2.68 ERA, 53.7 IP, 56 Hits, 4 HR, 13 BB, 34 K, 16.2 VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 2.94 ERA, 9.2 H/9—0.6 HR/9—1.8 BB/9—5.2 K/9--////Career Statistics: 4.08 ERA, 1036.3 IP, 1076 Hits, 91 HR, 361 BB, 655 K////Translated career statistics: 4.08 ERA, 8.9 H/9—0.8 HR/9—2.9 BB/9—5.4 K/9--////Career K/BB of 1.81/1--////Was out of baseball in 1999, 2000, and 2001//// In each of the last three season’s Hammond’s IP has decreased (02’-76.0, 03’-63.0, 04’-53.7). Due to this, any of Hammond’s “counting” stats that have dropped on the same parallel as IP IP (as they are supposed to do) will be discounted when figuring out recent trends for Hammond; translated stats will be used for this though////In each of the last three seasons Hammond’s translated K/9 (02’-6.6, 03’-6.0, 04’-5.2), and translated ERA (02’-1.77, 03’-2.51, 04’-2.94) have gotten worse////2004 represented no career-bests or worst for Hammond////Spent last thee seasons (not 4 since he was out of baseball in 2001) in Oakland (neutral park), New York Yankees (slight pitcher’s park), and Atlanta (slight pitcher’s park)////

9. Jeff Fassero (42): Signed minor league contract with Giants 2004 Statistics (1.0 IP with Arizona is not counted): 5.51 ERA, 111.0 IP, 136 Hits, 9 HR, 44 BB, 59 K, (-2.2) VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 4.17 ERA, 9.5 H/9—0.6 HR/9—3.0 BB/9—4.5 K/9--////Career Statistics: 4.09 ERA, 1927.7 IP, 1968 Hits, 203 HR, 685 BB, 1576 K////Translated career statistics: 3.75 ERA, 8.4 H/9—0.8 HR/9—2.8 BB/9—7.0 K/9--////Career K/BB of 2.30/1--////In each of the last three season’s Fassero’s IP has increased (02’-69.0, 03’-77.2, 04’-111.0). Due to this, any of Fassero’s “counting” stats that have risen on the same parallel as the IP (as they are supposed to do) will be discounted when figuring out recent trends for Fassero; translated stats will be used for this though////In each of the past three seasons, Fassero’s translated K/9 has gotten worse (02’-6.9, 03’-6.0, 04’-4.5)////2004 represented a career-worst translated K/9 (4.5) for Fassero////Spent last four seasons (excluding his 1 IP in Arizona last seasons) in Colorado (severe hitter’s park), St. Louis (moderate pitcher’s park), and Chicago Cubs (slight pitcher’s park)////

10. Rheal Cormier (38): Signed with Phillies, 2 years ($5.25 million) 2004 Statistics: 3.56 ERA, 81.0 IP, 70 Hits, 7 HR, 26 BB, 46 K, 19.3 VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 3.00 ERA, 7.3 H/9—0.7 HR/9—2.5 BB/9—4.5 K/9--////Career Statistics: 4.01 ERA, 1123.3 IP, 1140 Hits, 106 HR, 283 BB, 706 K////Translated career statistics: 3.94 ERA, 8.7 H/9—0.9 HR/9—1.8 BB/9—5.3 K/9--////Career K/BB of 2.49/1--////In each of the last three seasons Cormier’s translated K/9 (02’-6.6, 03’-6.3, 04’-4.5) has gotten worse////Excluding 1997 (only 1.3 IP), 2004 represented a tie for Cormier’s career worst K/9 (4.5) ////Spent last four seasons in Philadelphia (moderate hitter’s park)////

11. Wayne Franklin (31): Signed with Giants, 1 yr/$380,000 2004 Statistics: 6.39 ERA, 50.7 IP, 55 Hits, 11 HR, 22 BB, 40 K, (-4.9) VORP////2004 Translated Statistics: 5.43 ERA, 7.9 H/9—1.4 HR/9—3.6 BB/9—6.4 K/9--////Career Statistics: 5.47 ERA, 302.7 IP, 313 Hits, 54 HR, 154 BB, 203 K////Translated career statistics: 4.60 ERA, 7.5 H/9—1.1 HR/9—4.1 BB/9—5.4 K/9--////Career K/BB of 1.32/1--////Since Franklin was a starter in 2003 (for the only time in his career), he has no trends involving counting stats but, in each of the past three seasons, Franklin’s ERA (02’-2.62, 03’-5.50, 04’-6.39), translated ERA (02’-2.30, 03’-4.74, 04’-5.43), translated H/9 (02’-5.6, 03’-7.4, 04’-7.9), and translated HR/9 (02’-0.3, 03’-1.2, 04’-1.4) have all gotten worse////2004 represented a career-worst ERA (6.39), translated ERA (5.43), and translated HR/9 (1.4) for Franklin, while also representing a career-best BB/9 (3.6) for him////Spent last four seasons in San Francisco (severe pitcher’s park), Milwaukee (neutral park), and Houston (moderate hitter’s park)////

12. Valerio De Los Santos (33): Was injured for much of 2004, so 2003 statistics are presented: 4.50 ERA, 52.0 IP, 45 Hits, 8 HR, 25 BB, 39 K, 1.4 VORP////2003 Translated Statistics: 4.38 ERA, 6.4 H/9—1.0 HR/9—4.0 BB/9—5.9 K/9--////Career Statistics: 4.38 ERA, 226.0 IP, 194 Hits, 32 HR, 104 BB, 181 K////Translated career statistics: 3.77 ERA, 6.5 H/9—0.9 HR/9—3.6 BB/9—6.4 K/9--////Career K/BB of 1.74/1--////Since De Los Santos only pitched 11.7 innings in 2004 because of injury, there are no recent trends of his to identify////Any of the statistics put up by De Los Santos in 2004 will not count toward a possible career-best or worst////Spent last four seasons in Milwaukee (neutral park), Philadelphia (moderate hitter’s park), and Toronto (moderate hitter's park)////

With this list, I end my two month-long research project on free agents. I learned a lot from making the reports, and I hope you learned a lot from reading them, or using them however you chose too.

Thank you for reading.

Frank Bundy III

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to email me at frnkbndy@yahoo.com.