3 Free Agent Relievers Every Team Should Covet

Most of the 'big name' free agent relievers have signed contracts, but there are still a number of very solid bullpen arms out there for teams who are paying attention. 

Whether they have a closing job or not in 2023, they are all almost certainly going to be a steadying, important, high-leverage arm at the end of games. These guys should all be highly coveted.

Andrew Chafin

The 9-year veteran has been one of the top lefty relievers in baseball the past couple of years. With the Detroit Tigers this past season, he had a 2.83 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP, along with 10.5 K/9 and a 67:19 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The year before, he posted a 1.83 ERA with an 0.93 WHIP split between the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A's. 

Michael Fulmer

The former Detroit Tiger has been another solid late-innings set-up man the past couple of years. He actually saved 14 games with the Tigers in 2021 with a 2.97 ERA, and he had another solid season in 2022 with a 3.39 ERA split between the Tigers and the Minnesota Twins. He was an All-Star as a starting pitcher in Detroit in 2017, but Tommy John surgery in 2019 and a failed attempt to return to the rotation in 2020 forced him to convert to the bullpen, and it's been a nice success.

Will Smith

He has 91 saves to his credit, including acting as the Atlanta Braves closer in 2021, saving 37 games in the regular season, and six more in their postseason run to the World Series. Those credentials are pretty solid right there. Full stop. But since converting to the bullpen in his 2nd season back in 2013, the left-hander has a 3.21 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP with 11.7 K/9. Impressive stuff. 

Still just 33, Smith would be a fine pickup for a team in need of high-leverage relief help. 

Photo: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports