10 Relief Pitchers Who Will Immediately Help Your Fantasy Team

Each year, fantasy owners are plagued by closers who continually under-perform and seem determined to take the rest of the team down with them. Despite your growing suspicion of collusion, you stick with them until it’s too late.

Before you know it, your team has established permanent residency in the bottom of the standings.

To make matters worse, when you finally try to trade such a player, all offers seem anything but favorable, and at times insulting considering the amount that you paid on draft day.

It’s like betting on the favorite in a point spread and then watching them get blown out and lose their best player to a season-ending injury.

However, there is hope.

Even in the shallowest of fantasy leagues, the value of a hitter will usually always outweigh the value of a pitcher.

For fantasy owners in leagues with at least 12 teams, you can always find great value in the unowned, middle-relief pitchers on the waiver wire.

Other than closers, there are very few relief pitchers owned in more than 10 percent of ESPN leagues.

Many of these pitchers possess the stuff to close and will likely graduate to such a role within a few years. However, with the July trade deadline rapidly approaching, it is essential to consider that some of these guys may receive an opportunity to close games earlier than they had anticipated.

Here are 10 relief pitchers who can immediately help your fantasy team and are sure to increase in value over the remainder of the 2010 season.

Although these guys cannot consistently guarantee you saves, they will continue to stymie opposing hitters and put themselves in a position for more wins, holds, and some saves.

Arthur Rhodes, LHP: Cincinnati Reds

Andrew Cashner, RHP: Chicago Cubs

Joaquin Benoit, RHP: Tampa Bay Rays

Evan Meek, RHP: Pittsburgh Pirates

Ryan Webb, RHP: San Diego Padres

Darren Oliver, LHP: Texas Rangers

Luke Gregerson, RHP: San Diego Padres

Jason Motte, RHP: St. Louis Cardinals

Sergio Santos, RHP: Chicago White Sox

Drew Storen, RHP: Washington Nationals