Fantasy Baseball 2012: Positional Draft Tiers—Relief Pitchers

Given the uncertainty of bullpens at this time of the year, I'd rather endure the pain and drudgery of a root canal—and then watch a friend have one the next day—before doing a straight-up ranking of relief pitchers.

Oh sure, we can pretend to treat relievers like four- or five-category assets during spring training, but let's face it—you only care about saves and (maybe) ERA for closers; and wins, strikeouts and (maybe) WHIP for long relievers.

In 12-team roto leagues with 25-man rosters, most owners shoot for acquiring two or three closers and a setup handcuff to one of their closers. In essence, they're doing the acceptable minimum to avoid finishing last in saves—allowing roster space for seven viable starters or highly effective long relievers to flourish in the other four categories.

Bottom line: In roto leagues, it has never been my March-April objective to win saves—anywhere in the top six will do.

Here are the four draft tiers for relief pitchers in 12-team leagues: And before you splurge on a Tier 1 stud, just remember that most guys from Tier 2—and some from Tier 3—can replicate almost 80-90 percent of a star's production, but at a significantly lower price. (NOTE: Injured Royals closer Joakim Soria is currently off the list.)

Tier 1

• Craig Kimbrel, Braves (cream of the crop)
• Mariano Rivera, Yankees (future Hall of Famer still has elite stuff)
• Drew Storen, Nationals (a good bet for 40-plus saves again)
• Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies
• Heath Bell, Marlins
• Ryan Madson, Reds
• Jose Valverde, Tigers (odds are he'll blow one save this year) 
• J.J. Putz, Diamondbacks
• Carlos Marmol, Cubs
• Andrew Bailey, Red Sox
• John Axford, Brewers
• Jason Motte, Cardinals

Tier 2

• Jordan Walden, Angels
• Grant Balfour, Athletics (Oakland's official fireman)
• Brian Wilson, Giants
• Huston Street, Padres
• Rafael Betancourt, Rockies
• Jim Johnson, Orioles
• Joel Hanrahan, Pirates
• Joe Nathan, Rangers
• Kyle Farnsworth, Rays
• Javy Guerra, Dodgers (has the tools to be light-out closer)
• Brandon League, Mariners
• Sergio Santos, Blue Jays
• Matt Capps, Twins
• Frank Francisco, Mets
• Brett Myers, Astros
• Chris Perez, Indians (could rise to next tier by April 4)
• Matt Thornton, White Sox

Tier 3

• Aaron Crow, Royals (could move up if named K.C. closer)
• Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
• Rafael Perez, Indians
• Fautino de los Santos, Athletics
• Mark Melancon, Red Sox
• Joaquin Benoit, Tigers
• Aroldis Chapman, Reds
• Jonathan Broxton, Royals
• Greg Holland, Royals
• Rafael Soriano, Yankees
• Jonny Venters, Braves
• Tyler Clippard, Nationals
• Andrew Cashner, Padres (the future big cheese)
• Francisco Cordero, Blue Jays
• Mike Adams, Rangers
• Addison Reed, White Sox
• Sergio Romo, Giants
• Alexi Ogando, Rangers
• Sean Marshall, Reds
• Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers
• Koji Uehara, Rangers
• David Robertson, Yankees
• Fernando Rodney, Rays
• Luke Gregerson, Padres

Tier 4

• Vinnie Pestano, Indians
• David Hernandez, Diamondbacks
• Kevin Gregg, Orioles
• Matt Lindstrom, Orioles
• Brandon Lyon, Astros
• Jesse Crain, White Sox
• Manny Parra, Brewers
• Edward Mujica, Marlins
• Phillipe Aumont, Phillies (brings absurd heat to late innings)
• Jeff Samardzija, Cubs
• Ernesto Frieri, Padres
• Antonio Bastardo, Phillies
• Fernando Salas, Cardinals
• Tony Sipp, Indians
• Joel Peralta, Rays
• Phil Coke, Tigers
• Alfredo Aceves, Red Sox 
• Wilton Lopez, Astros
• Bobby Parnell, Mets
• Matt Belisle, Rockies
• Jon Rauch, Mets
• Octavio Dotel, Tigers
• Jason Berken, Orioles
• Daniel McCutchen, Pirates
• Blake Wood, Royals
• Louis Coleman, Royals
• Tom Wilhelmsen, Mariners
• Juan Oviedo, Marlins
• Evan Meek, Pirates

Jay Clemons can be reached on Twitter, day or night, at @ATL_JayClemons.