Indians Offseason 2012 Relief Pitchers

Well the Bullpen Mafia is back and ready to take out some guys once again. There is one spot right now as off this off season, but many good arms that can contend for the mix.

Chris Perez

 Lets start at the top with our returning closer Chris Perez who had a solid year. His velocity though was down and his ERA up a bit, but he is our closer for next season to get ready to see Rage back in Cleveland at the end of the ball games.

Next come our two set up guys. The lefty Tony Sipp is the veteran set up man in the pen. He had a good season though at times I think he was up and down, but when he was on, you really couldn't hit him. I expect another sub 4 ERA year out of him.

Vinnie Pesstano

Next was the rookie sensation Vinnie Pestano who actually did way better than expected from anyone. He was one of the last to actually make the ball club and became a great setup guy with a 2.32 ERA. Now it will be hard for him to repeat like that but I expect him to have another solid season for the Indians.


To probably the pitcher that had the best year out of the pen, Joe Smith , who has a common name but with a very uncommon submarine style of arm slot. He had a 2.01 ERA which was better than I think anyone every expected from him. Now he is a right handed specialist but he did a much better job when he did have to face a lefty last year. To repeat his performance will be very difficult but with the fact he has always stayed under a four ERA, he will be a rough pitcher for righties to face out of the tribes pen.

Smith's lefty counterpart was Rafael Perez, had a solid year with an ERA just above 3. He has been with the tribe the longest and has his shares of big ups and downs, but another good year is expected of him. I think he has settled down into working with Smith as a lefty right combo in the bullpen.

Those five will be the main contributors to the bullpen mafia in 2012. Now for the rest of the could be members of the pen. Chad Durbin has left, so his spot will be vacant until a contender rises to take it.

Frank Herrmann a current member of the Mafia who was primarily a longer relief pitcher last year. He struggled though unlike the five mentioned above. I expect him to be in the Mafia next season, but don't be surprised if a contender will replace him. He doesn't have a guaranteed spot so he needs to have a good spring to keep his job.

Nick Hagadone

Nick Hagadone  is the big southpaw that was required with Justin Masterson in the Victor Martinez trade. Last season was his first real taste of the major leagues. He went back and forth between starting and relieving in the minors, but he will only relieve on the team. Scouts really like his stuff and easily could take the last spot of the Mafia.

Corey Kluber is the next man on the roster who may make the Mafia. Now he really is a long shot since he didn't have the greatest year last year. I think he is a couple seasons away from making it, but it very possible since he also a starter to make the bullpen as a long reliever since the Tribe thinks he will be good out of the pen, but I think he's a long shot

Now with Carmona/Heredia on the restricted list, which removes him from the 40 man roster, but does not release him, there is an opening for a few players to get the last bullpen spot. Spring training invites like Austin Adams,  Chris Seddon, and Tyler Sturdevant are extreme long shots of even trying to make this team. They are organizational depth for the Indians and I expect maybe Clippers fans to see the names, but Cleveland fans will not.

Robinson Tejeda is a veteran who has been pitching for awhile so he was a good signing for the Indians, but still will be a long shot to make the team. He had a few good seasons for Kansas City until last year. He is trying to come back from only pitching 7.1 innings last year. With better candidates in spring training he has to be completely lights out to even think about making this team.

Hector Ambriz

Hector Ambriz was a player the Indians picked up in a Rule 5 draft a few seasons ago but had to undergo Tommy John surgery.  Indians organization thought he had some upside but I expect him still to be a long shot to make this team. I think Clippers fans will get to know him name well this year.

Jeremy Accardo is another decent signing by the Indians, but he has only been able to put together one good season in the big leagues. This guy is another long shot to make the team and if he doesn't have an opt out option then the Clippers will see him as well.

Chen Lee

Next three I think one of them will make this team. One is a young kid with a lot of upside and the other two have had solid big league careers so like Durban last year, are veterans with experience.


The youngster is who I shall start with. His name is Chen Lee who has had a very good and quick rise through the minors. He may spend one more year in AAA, but he will be a September call up and easily could be a similar story to Pestano last year. With more experienced players in front of him, he may not make it, but he is a very strong candidate too.

Chris Ray when he was younger had some brilliant seasons and also closed a couples season. Last few years he has not done as well, but this is a great chance to put his career back on track. I feel if he has a good spring he has a great chance of making this team.

Dan Wheeler

Dan Wheeler  has pitched over nine seasons in the big leagues and could have the best chance of making the last spot in the Mafia. Acta is not known to rush young players to the big leagues so a guy like Wheeler with a lot of experience could easily find some time to pitch for the Indians this season.  He had 6 straight season of like 70 appearances until last year when he had 47. I would say he isn't going to be a long relief pitcher, but could easily bring an experience pitcher into the Mafia.

To quickly review, Indians closer is Chris Perez, with lefty Tony Sipp and righty Vinnie Pestano setting him up. Middle relievers spot belongs to lefty Rafael Perez and righty Joe Smith. Last two spots will be taken by two of the following pitchers : Frank Herrmann, Nick Hagadone, Chen Lee, Chris Ray or Dan Wheeler. Right now Herrmann and Wheeler probably have the best shot, but Hagadone could easily beat out one of them. Lee is a name to watch out for especially if there are injuries in the bullpen since he may be one of the first to be called up.  I hope everyone had a good read :)