10 MLB Relievers Who Could Move Out of the Bullpen

MLB relievers pray to be promoted into their teams' starting rotations where more innings and higher salaries await. The following players are candidates to make the transition in 2012.

The results have been mixed in recent years.

Alexi Ogando was effective for the Texas Rangers as a first-time starter in 2011. Also, R.A. Dickey cemented his status as the league's best knuckleballer after a second consecutive solid season in the New York Mets rotation.

On the other hand, Joba Chamberlain—currently recovering from Tommy John surgery—regressed when given the opportunity with the New York Yankees. More recently, Brian Tallet struggled as a starter in 2009, as did Phil Coke this past season.

Regardless of talent, no player is assured success in an expanded role.

Neftali Feliz (Texas Rangers)

2010 American League Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz is definitely headed for the starting rotation.

He has been an elite closer for the Texas Rangers during the past two seasons, even in October.

The organization has transitioned him gradually.

Feliz added a slider to his repertoire in 2011 to complement his curveball, changeup and high-90s fastball. Such variety isn't required of a reliever, but it certainly aids a starting pitcher trying to navigate an opposing lineup three times over seven innings.

To make their intentions clear, the Texas Rangers signed former All-Star closer Joe Nathan as a free agent. He'll fill the vacancy left by Feliz's move.

Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox)

Like Neftali Feliz, Chris Sale has a reservation to start.

In 2011, the hierarchy of relievers in the Chicago White Sox bullpen was in constant flux. Affected by his ever-changing role, Sale pitched poorly in April and May.

He settled down, though, and as the season wore on, it became obvious that his terrific skills would be best utilized every five days.

The White Sox began to clear space for him by trading away Edwin Jackson. Furthermore, the front office will either let longtime team leader Mark Buehrle depart via free agency, or re-sign him and deal a younger starter.

Sale looks the part of a top-of-the-rotation ace with three great pitches and a prototypical lanky frame.

Alfredo Aceves (Boston Red Sox)

Albeit limited, Alfredo Aceves has major league starting experience.

As a September call-up with the New York Yankees in 2008 and most recently with the Boston Red Sox, he has proved capable of handling high pitch counts.

I imagine he'll exceed last season's total of 114.0 innings pitched because Boston has several openings as 2012 approaches. John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka are months away from retaking the mound after each had Tommy John surgery.

Aceves' 24-3 career record is the best among active players with at least 25 decisions.

My only concern is his control. Walks aren't a problem, but Aceves surprisingly hit 15 batsmen in 2011, the second-highest total in the majors.

Luis Ayala (Free Agent)

Luis Ayala has been getting a lot of attention after completing 2011 with an eye-popping 2.09 earned run average.

Nearly 34, he has never started in the big leagues. Also, his performance has been inconsistent over the past six seasons.

Still, needy franchises may plug him in a prominent role because of the apparent starter qualities he possesses.

For one, Ayala has incredible control of his pitches. He has walked an average of only one batter per four innings in his MLB career, a rate identical to that of Philadelphia's Cole Hamels.

Moreover, pitching with the New York Yankees last season led him to adopt a Mariano Rivera-influenced cutter. Now with four distinct pitches, Ayala can be effective in long outings by constantly keeping his opponents guessing.

Micah Owings (Arizona Diamondbacks)

To convince the Arizona Diamondbacks that he is worthy of a spot in the rotation, Micah Owings ought to center his case around his hitting.

His .820 career OPS ranks him above some of the sport's most talented position players!

His plate appearances have been limited over the last two seasons because he has primarily relieved.

With a mediocre fastball, Owings is totally reliant on off-speed pitches. He won't miss a lot of bats, but Arizona shouldn't discourage a pitcher who can impact a game in both halves of an inning.

Fernando Rodriguez

Before being traded to the Houston Astros, Fernando Rodriguez was a starting prospect for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Angels began to transition him into the bullpen in 2009 while he was on their Double-A team. His rising strikeout rate convinced them to leave him there.

He had enough success with the Oklahoma City Redhawks in early 2011 to merit a promotion to the majors. Now Rodriguez is entrenched on the 25-man roster.

The team is likely to move either Wandy Rodriguez or Brett Myers this winter as both are high-priced players who contradict the rebuilding process. If a starting spot becomes available, the Astros will find the replacement internally and F. Rodriguez will be considered.

Vicente Padilla (Free Agent)

Vicente Padilla's streak of nine consecutive seasons with at least one MLB start ended in 2011. He made a handful of relief appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers before succumbing to season-ending neck surgery.

The organization has since signed Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang, so Padilla won't start in L.A. if he re-signs.

I'm assuming, though, that other teams will show interest in a starter with his career consistency. Padilla throws strikes and has had a winning record in four of his past five seasons as a starter (2006-2010).

His ugly mug will be starting somewhere in 2012.

Aaron Crow (Kansas City Royals)

2011 rookie reliever and American League All-Star Aaron Crow may be starting soon.

The Kansas City Royals had a laughable rotation last season, but luckily several young relievers like Crow comprised a serviceable bullpen.

Already this offseason, the front office has added established starter Jonathan Sanchez and presumed set-up man Jonathan Broxton. The latter was Crow's title in 2011.

The starting rotation is crowded with subpar individuals like Danny Duffy, Luke Hochevar and Felipe Paulino. Even Sanchez has to prove himself coming off a weak campaign.

Rather than immediately relegating Crow to middle relief duty, Royals management will want to see if his talent translates over 200 innings.

Hector Noesi (New York Yankees)

The New York Yankees have five starting pitchers under contract for 2012. Then again, do they really?

A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes represent the back end of this quintet.

The inconsistent Burnett is the most overpaid player on a team with several strong candidates (Alex Rodriguez, Rafael Soriano, etc.). He's losing velocity and simply incapable of locating his pitches.

Hughes is a comparable albatross. Although not nearly as expensive as Burnett, Hughes is fresh off a lackluster season where he became one of the latest Yankees to suffer from a freaky injury.

If either disappoint this spring, Hector Noesi might slide into the rotation.

Noesi debuted for the Yankees last season as a long reliever and showed some promise. His numbers weren't spectacular, but he is reportedly thriving in Winter Ball.

Aroldis Chapman (Cincinnati Reds)

Aroldis Chapman is the only player on this list currently being paid a starter's salary.

Highly touted as a Cuban defector for his 100-plus mph fastball, Chapman was wooed by the Cincinnati Reds and their six-year, $30.25 million offer in January 2010.

Through two seasons, though, he has exclusively relieved. This is principally because 1) his release point is irregular and he doesn't throw strikes, and 2) his tertiary pitch—a changeup—is average at best.

Regardless, the Reds ought to give him a chance. Their rotation is essential Johnny Cueto and a bunch of question marks and that won't be enough to dethrone the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in 2012.

I'll admit that Chapman is an uncertainty, too, but one with a .158 batting average against in 63.1 MLB innings. That's simply dominant.