MLB Power Rankings: Rating Each Team's Top Set-Up Man

There is no question that having a lock-down closer is key to being a contender, and that is the reason players like Jonathan Papelbon (four years, $50 million) and Heath Bell (three years, $27 million) earned the big bucks as free agents this offseason.

However, as starters are kept to more strict pitch counts and teams go to their bullpens earlier and earlier in games, having a reliable arm to take the ball in the eighth inning and get it to that high-priced closer is becoming more and more of a necessity.

So here is a look at each team's top setup option entering the 2012 season, and my power rankings for those 30 eighth inning relievers.

No. 30: Seattle Mariners: George Sherrill

51 G, 3-1, 0 Sv, 3.00 ERA, 38 Ks, 36 IP

An All-Star closer for the Orioles back in 2008 when he saved 31 games, Sherrill has been used in more of a lefty specialist role over the past few seasons.

The Mariners signed the 35-year-old to a one-year, $1.1 million deal this offseason and he will have to beat out fellow free agent signings Shawn Camp and Hong-Chih Kuo for the role of primary setup man.

No. 29: Pittsburgh Pirates: Evan Meek

24 G, 1-1, 0 Sv, 3.48 ERA, 17 Ks, 20.2 IP

Meek came out of relative obscurity to post a 2.14 ERA over 80 innings of work as the Pirates' primary setup man in 2010. He represented the team in the All-Star game that season.

He was limited to just 20.2 innings last season, as he was shelved with shoulder injuries much of the season, and at 29 years old he will need to start 2012 well to regain and keep his setup role.

No. 28: Baltimore Orioles: Matt Lindstrom

63 G, 2-2, 2 Sv, 3.00 ERA, 36 Ks, 54 IP

Acquired in the recent trade that sent Jeremy Guthrie to the Rockies, Lindstrom is a hard-throwing right-hander with some closing experience during stints in Florida and Houston.

He'll need to beat out incumbent Kevin Gregg for the eighth inning role, but with a $3.6 million salary, the team will look to get the most out of their new acquisition.

No. 27: Tampa Bay Rays: Joel Peralta

71 G, 3-4, 6 Sv, 2.93 ERA, 61 Ks, 67.2 IP

A journeyman reliever best known for his three years with the Royals prior to last season, Peralta stepped into a setup role last season after the Rays' bullpen was gutted in the offseason and held his own.

With a career ERA of 4.22 ERA entering last season, and taking into account the fact that he will be 35 years old this coming season, we may have seen the best Peralta has to offer last season. Don't be surprised if youngster Jake McGee takes over the eighth inning role at some point in 2012.

No. 26: Miami Marlins: Juan Carlos Oviedo

68 G, 1-4, 36 Sv, 4.06 ERA, 55 Ks, 64.1 IP

The man formerly known as Leo Nunez, Oviedo was acquired from the Royals in exchange for Mike Jacobs prior to the 2009 season.

He has served as the Marlins' closer for the past three seasons, but has not been dominant by any means with a 3.86 ERA and 93-of-113 on save chances, and he will slide to a setup role with the team's signing of Heath Bell.

No. 25: Kansas City Royals: Jonathan Broxton

14 G, 1-2, 7 Sv, 5.68 ERA, 10 Ks, 12.2 IP

One of the hardest throwers in the majors, Broxton missed most of last season with an elbow injury and was unable to boost his stock in what was a contract year. He settled on a one-year, $4 million deal with the Royals.

As recently as 2009, Broxton had 36 saves, a 2.61 ERA and a 13.5 K/9 mark, and he is still just 28 years old, so there is still a chance he could return to his once dominant form.

No. 24: Arizona Diamondbacks: David Hernandez

74 G, 5-3, 11 Sv, 3.38 ERA, 77 Ks, 69.1 IP

A failed starter, Hernandez went 4-10 with a 5.42 ERA in 19 starts for the Orioles as a rookie in 2009. He moved to the bullpen the following season, and was shipped to the Diamondbacks prior to last season in the Mark Reynolds deal.

His 2011 season was certainly promising, and he was without question the most reliable arm in the Arizona bullpen last year, and another solid season will certainly push him up this list.

No. 23: Minnesota Twins: Glen Perkins

65 G, 4-4, 2 Sv, 2.48 ERA, 65 Ks, 61.2 IP

Perkins began his career in the Twins' rotation, making 26 starts in 2008 and going 12-4, 4.41 ERA, 74 Ks in his first full season in the league.

His ERA ballooned to 5.89 over 17 starts the next season, and he struggled to find a role until last season when he stepped into the setup role and thrived. In a fairly thin bullpen, the team will be counting on him to duplicate his impressive 2011 performance.

No. 22: Colorado Rockies: Matt Belisle

74 G, 10-4, 0 Sv, 3.25 ERA, 58 Ks, 72 IP

Once a top starting pitching prospect with the Braves after being taken in the second round of the 1998 draft, Belisle didn't reach the majors until 2003 as a member of the Reds.

After experiencing limited success in five seasons in Cincinnati, he signed with the Rockies prior to the 2009 season and after a poor first year he has settled into the eighth inning role nicely over the past two seasons, appearing in 150 games and posting a 3.07 ERA in 164 innings of work.

No. 21: Houston Astros: Wilton Lopez

73 G, 2-6, 0 Sv, 2.79 ERA, 56 Ks, 71 IP

Signed out of Nicaragua back in 2002 by the Yankees, Lopez was a career minor leaguer before he debuted in the Astros bullpen in 2009.

He was a staple in the late inning by the next season and over the past two years he has appeared in 141 games and posted a 2.87 ERA over 138 innings of work.

No. 20: Cleveland Indians: Vinnie Pestano

67 G, 1-2, 2 Sv, 2.32 ERA, 84 Ks, 62 IP

A former 20th-round selection, Pestano worked his way through the Indians' system and after a five-game audition in 2010 he claimed a key role in the team's bullpen last season.

He uses an unconventional sidearm delivery, making him particularly hard to hit for right-handed hitters as they managed a meager .115 batting average. As long as he continues to put up numbers like that and his 12.2 K/9 mark, he will be a huge asset in the late innings. 

No. 19: Los Angeles Dodgers: Javy Guerra

47 G, 2-2, 21 Sv, 2.31 ERA, 38 Ks, 46.2 IP

Guerra spent much of last season, his first in the big leagues, as the Dodgers' closer and was surprisingly efficient in converting 21-of-23 save opportunities.

However, with the flame-throwing Kenley Jansen back from injury he will more than likely have to relinquish the ninth inning role and settle into the eighth inning.

No. 18: Boston Red Sox: Mark Melancon

71 G, 8-4, 20 Sv, 2.78 ERA, 66 Ks, 74.1 IP

The Astros acquired Melancon from the Yankees in the Lance Berkman trade at the deadline in 2010, and he won the closer's job out of spring training that year.

He converted 20-of-25 saves in that role, but will move to a setup job this year after being traded to the Red Sox, who also acquired Andrew Bailey this offseason to take over as closer.

No. 17: Chicago Cubs: Kerry Wood

55 G, 3-5, 1 Sv, 3.35 ERA, 57 Ks, 51 IP

It has been a roller coaster ride of a career for Wood, as he took the baseball world by storm in 1998 as the NL Rookie of the Year, dominating the Astros in a 20-strikeout performance.

However, arm problems kept him from reaching his full potential as a starter and he managed to prolong his career with a move to the bullpen. After brief stints in Cleveland and New York he came back to the Cubs at a discount last season and looks ready for what could be one last go-around this year.

No. 16: Philadelphia Phillies: Antonio Bastardo

64 G, 6-1, 8 Sv, 2.64 ERA, 70 Ks, 58 IP

With bullpen staples Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson gone, Bastardo should slide into the eighth inning role after a very good season last year in which he actually spent some time at closer and converted 8-of-9 save opportunities.

He is equally effective against right-handers (.143 BA) and left-handers (.145 BA), making him one of the most useful lefty relievers in all of baseball.

No. 15: San Diego Padres: Luke Gregerson

61 G, 3-3, 0 Sv, 2.75 ERA, 34 Ks, 55.2 IP

Gregerson has been in the league for three seasons now, and in that span he has made the sixth-most appearances with 213. His ERA of 3.10 over that span is better than all but one person above him in appearances.

With Heath Bell and Mike Adams gone, he will team with Huston Street to handle the late inning duties this coming season and while his significant drop off in strikeouts (10.2 K/9 in 2010 to 5.5 K/9 in 2011) is a bit troubling, he should have no problem assuming the setup role.

No. 14: Chicago White Sox: Jesse Crain

67 G, 8-3, 1 Sv, 2.62 ERA, 70 Ks, 65.1 IP

Crain has been one of the most used middle relievers in baseball since 2005, appearing in 421 games (despite making just 18 appearances in 2007) since that time and posting an ERA under 4.00 in all but two of those seasons.

Last season was the best of his career in nearly every category, and he is still just 30 years old, so he should have plenty more years as a premier eighth inning guy in him.

No. 13: Toronto Blue Jays: Francisco Cordero

68 G, 5-3, 37 Sv, 2.45 ERA, 42 Ks, 69.2 IP

A closer since 2002, Cordero is coming off of a much-scrutinized four-year, $45 million deal with the Reds. Over that stretch he converted 150-of-174 save opportunities and posted a 2.96 ERA, but that was not enough for anyone to look at him as a closer on the free agent market this offseason.

He wound up signing a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Blue Jays to set up newly acquired Sergio Santos, and at 37 years old it will be interesting to see how Cordero takes to not only a new role but also pitching in the AL East.

No. 12: St. Louis Cardinals: Eduardo Sanchez

26 G, 3-1, 5 Sv, 1.80 ERA, 35 Ks, 30 IP

Called up last season when Ryan Franklin fell on his face, Sanchez spent some time as the team's closer and converted 5-of-7 save opportunities before Fernando Salas seized the role.

He will be just 23 this coming season, and he has terrific stuff evidenced by his 9.9 K/9 mark over six minor league seasons. Some combination of Sanchez, Salas and Jason Motte will man the late inning in St. Louis, and Sanchez will likely play a big role in the late innings.

No. 11: New York Mets: Ramon Ramirez

66 G, 3-3, 4 Sv, 2.62 ERA, 66 Ks, 68.2 IP

Ramirez has been on the move a lot since 2008, playing for the Royals, Red Sox and Giants before being dealt to the Mets in the Angel Pagan-for-Andres Torres trade this offseason.

Despite what that frequent movement may imply, Ramirez has been among the most used and most reliable relievers in all of baseball over that span with a 2.77 ERA over 279.1 innings of work. 

No. 10: Detroit Tigers: Joaquin Benoit

66 G, 4-3, 2 Sv, 2.95 ERA, 63 Ks, 61 IP

Benoit spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Rangers, splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen and posting a 4.79 ERA before a torn rotator cuff cost him the entire 2009 season.

He signed a minor league contract with the Rays before the 2010 season, and absolutely dominated with a 1.34 ERA and 11.2 K/9 over 60.1 innings of work. That earned him a three-year, $16.5 million contract with the Tigers last offseason, and while he did not duplicate his 2010 numbers he was their most reliable bridge to Jose Valverde all season.

No. 9: Oakland Athletics: Grant Balfour

62 G, 5-2, 2 Sv, 2.47 ERA, 59 Ks, 62 IP

Another member of the Rays' jettisoned 2010 bullpen, Balfour signed a two-year, $8.1 million deal with the Athletics, and after watching the team deal starters Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill this offseason there is a very good chance Balfour finishes the 2012 season somewhere other than Oakland.

He has been among the best over the past four seasons, posting a 2.85 ERA over 243 innings of work, and putting up an impressive 9.9 K/9 mark. He could be among the most coveted arms at the deadline this season, similar to Mike Adams last season.

No. 8: Milwaukee Brewers: Francisco Rodriguez

73 G, 6-2, 23 Sv, 2.64 ERA, 79 Ks, 71.2 IP

After setting the single-season saves record in 2008 with the Angels, Rodriguez inked a three-year, $33.5 million contract with the Mets.

He was dealt to the Brewers at the deadline last year, and while he was not happy to be a setup man, he had no choice with John Axford already in the closer's role in Milwaukee. He surprised more than a few people and accepted arbitration this offseason, so he'll be back in that role again this season.

No. 7: Cincinnati Reds: Sean Marshall

78 G, 6-6, 5 Sv, 2.26 ERA, 79 Ks, 75.2 IP

After bouncing between the bullpen and rotation early in his career, the Cubs finally figured out that they were better off leaving Marshall in the 'pen and since making that move full-time heading into the 2010 season he has been among the best in the business.

He has made 158 appearances and posted a 2.45 ERA and 10.1 K/9 mark since 2010, and the Cubs decided to sell high on Marshall and dealt him to the Reds for Travis Wood and a pair of prospects in this the final year of his contract.

No. 6: Los Angeles Angels: Scott Downs

60 G, 6-3, 1 Sv, 1.34 ERA, 35 Ks, 53.2 IP

Downs broke into the league as a starter in 2000, but it was not until the 2007 season that he first experienced significant success at the big league level, leading the league with 81 appearances and posting a 2.17 ERA over 58 innings.

Since the beginning of that breakout season, he has recorded a 2.17 ERA in 290.1 innings and prior to last season he was rewarded with a three-year, $15 million contract with the Angels.

No. 5: Washington Nationals: Tyler Clippard

72 G, 3-0, 0 Sv, 1.83 ERA, 104 Ks, 88.1 IP

A solid middle reliever for the Nationals in 2009 and 2010, Clippard took his game to another level last season as he was named to the NL All-Star team and ended up earning the win.

At just 27, he's one of the younger guys on this list, and he could get even better in the next couple seasons, and with another year comparable to what he did in 2011 he will move to the upper echelon of setup men.

No. 4: San Francisco Giants: Sergio Romo

65 G, 3-1, 1 Sv, 1.50 ERA, 70 Ks, 48 IP

A 28th-round pick in 2005, Romo was a solid middle reliever in 2008 and 2009 before stepping into a more substantial role in 2010 and posting a 2.18 ERA over 62 innings to help the team in their World Series run.

He was even better this past season, as his 13.1 K/9 and 14.9 K/BB marks put him among the relief pitching elite, and at just 29 he should have plenty more great seasons in him setting up Brian Wilson.

No. 3: Atlanta Braves: Jonny Venters

85 G, 6-2, 5 Sv, 1.84 ERA, 96 Ks, 88 IP

Venters joined Craig Kimbrel and Eric O'Flaherty to give the Braves a three-headed monster that was head-and-shoulders above anyone else's in the league.

All three pitchers tired a but by the end of the season, but you could make a solid argument that Venters is the best left-handed reliever in all of baseball right now and he should continue to be the eighth inning bridge to Kimbrel for the foreseeable future.

No. 2: New York Yankees: David Robertson

70 G, 4-0, 1 Sv, 1.08 ERA, 100 Ks, 66.2 IP

When the Yankees shelled out a three-year, $35 million contract to sign Rafael Soriano to set up Mariano Rivera, they likely did not anticipate Robertson breaking out the way he did.

It was hard to keep from putting Robertson at the top spot on this list after his incredible season, but in the end it came down to track record, and while he was solid in his first three seasons with a 3.99 ERA over 135.1 innings, he will need a few more dominant seasons before he passes the man in the top spot.

No. 1: Texas Rangers: Mike Adams

75 G, 5-4, 2 Sv, 1.47 ERA, 74 Ks, 73.2 IP

The Rangers gave up a good deal to acquire Adams from the Padres at the deadline last year, trading two top pitching prospects in Robbie Erlin and Joe Weiland.

However, in Adams they got the game's premier setup man, as he has been more-or-less untouchable over the past three seasons with ERAs of 0.73, 1.76 and 1.47 and if the Rangers hope to reach a third straight World Series another dominant season from Adams would certainly help.