• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Cold Wire

Breaking News, Sports, Entertainment, TV, Tech ...

  • Home
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • MLB
  • World News
  • Entertainment
  • Cold Hard Facts
  • About
You are here: Home / Sports / MLB / 3 Top MLB Relief Pitchers Still On The Market

3 Top MLB Relief Pitchers Still On The Market

By Sam Leweck December 3, 2021

Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the eighth inning of Game Six of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on October 23, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

 

MLB is in a lockout, but fans were given a wild month of free agency before things shut down.

Some massive names switched uniforms, and the league will have certainly a different look in 2022.

But the dominoes aren’t done falling.

Once the lockout comes to an end, there will be more moves made.

Several teams with title hopes for the 2022 season have bullpen woes that have not yet been addressed.

Fortunately for those clubs, there are still some really solid relief pitchers on the free-agent market.

Here are a few of them.

 

3. Andrew Chafin

Andrew Chafin had a fantastic 2021 season.

He spent time with the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics, and he posted some electric numbers.

How does a 1.83 ERA, 2.98 FIP, and 0.93 WHIP sound?

The lefty was outstanding.

Andrew Chafin, Wicked 82mph Back Foot Slider…Bend the Knee. 👑 pic.twitter.com/bgs9rwBlj6

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 7, 2021

The only question with Chafin is whether or not he can sustain that type of success.

In years past, he has been good, but never as dominant as he was in 2021.

He entered the 2021 season with a career 3.67 ERA, 3.23 FIP, and 1.31 WHIP.

Which version of the 31-year-old will we see going forward?

 

2. Kenley Jansen

Kenley Jansen has spent his entire MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but it sounds like that might change in 2022.

The veteran is reportedly “not expected” to return to the team.

“Pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen, the two longest-tenured Dodgers, remain unsigned,” wrote Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times. “Jansen, the franchise’s all-time saves leader, is not expected to return.”

If Jansen’s time with the Dodgers is indeed over, he’ll likely make a different team very happy in 2022.

Some folks thought the 34-year-old’s best seasons were behind him, but he proved that notion wrong in the 2021 season.

He looked like his vintage self, pitching to a 2.22 ERA, 3.08 FIP, and 1.04 WHIP over 69 appearances.

Time will tell if Jansen can post numbers like those again next season.

 

1. Richard Rodriguez

Richard Rodriguez has been one of the most reliable relievers in baseball in recent years when it comes to keeping runs off the board.

Since the start of the 2018 season, he has maintained a 3.00 ERA, 141 ERA+, 3.81 FIP, and 1.09 WHIP.

In the 2021 season, he posted a 2.94 ERA and 148 ERA+.

This guy is the real deal, and it seems like he’s just getting started at the MLB level.

Although he’s 31 years old, he has only pitched in five big-league seasons.

Age impacts all players differently, but Rodriguez could be good for a long time.

The immediate future is what’s most important right now, however.

And it’s probably safe to assume that he’s going to be quite good in 2022.

Wherever the righty lands, he figures to make a massive impact.

It sounds like the Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in a potential reunion with him.

Non-tendered last night by Atlanta, Richard Rodriguez is available. Pirates definitely have interest in bringing him back. We'll see if it happens. Certainly makes sense.

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) December 1, 2021

Will Pittsburgh be his landing spot?

Or will he find himself wearing the fourth different uniform of his career next season?

We’ll get an answer once the lockout ends and things start heating up again.

With all the guys we talked about in this piece, the big takeaway here is that there are still a number of great bullpen arms looking for homes this season.

    Get ALL the latest MLB news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cold Wire MLB newsletter here!    

Recent News

Nolan Arenado #28 of the MLB St. Louis Cardinals in action against the New York Mets during their game at Citi Field on May 19, 2022 in New York City.
MLB Highlights A Legendary Race In NL All-Star Voting
Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres July 4, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego, California.
Julio Rodriguez Had The Perfect Reaction To Latest Honor
Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Aaron Judge #99 after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on April 27, 2022 in New York City.
2 Yankees Stars May Dominate The All-Star Game Outfield

Filed Under: MLB Tagged With: MLB

About Sam Leweck

Sam Leweck is a New Hampshire native and lifelong sports fan. He has several years of experience covering baseball as a writer, editor and broadcaster.

Suggest a correction

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow The Cold Wire!

Primary Sidebar

Search The Cold Wire

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

Editorial Guidelines

Contact Us

Sitemap

Advertise

Follow us on

Copyright © 2022 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ·TheColdWire.com

Suggest a Correction

3 Top MLB Relief Pitchers Still On The Market

1000 characters remaining