You’ll recall earlier this year we introduced our very own reliever rankings called SOEFA, which you can read about in detail here. For a brief refresher, it combines inherited runner strand rate, expected OBP against, ERA-, and FIP- into a deviation from league average. This is a measure of performance, not necessarily ability, and seeks to provide a single number to judge relievers that balances context neutral and context dependent numbers. Certain pitchers, such as Craig Kimbrel, cannot be credited for stranding runners because they are never put into those situations. They are not penalized either, however. Zero is average, and will generally range between -2.5 to 2.5 with -1 to 1 being most common. This includes all pitchers who have thrown at least 20 IP in relief as of this morning, so the average score on this list is closer to 0.12 and the inherited runner threshold has been increased from 5 to 8. Should you wish to know the SOEFA for any other reliever, or on a day that isn’t Sunday, hit us on Twitter or in the comments section.
Rank | Name | Team | SOEFA |
1 | Neal Cotts | Rangers | 0.99 |
2 | Kenley Jansen | Dodgers | 0.95 |
3 | Greg Holland | Royals | 0.93 |
4 | Drew Smyly | Tigers | 0.88 |
5 | Koji Uehara | Red Sox | 0.85 |
6 | Chris Withrow | Dodgers | 0.84 |
7 | Mark Melancon | Pirates | 0.80 |
8 | Jesse Crain | White Sox | 0.78 |
9 | Kevin Siegrist | Cardinals | 0.78 |
10 | Nick Vincent | Padres | 0.78 |
11 | Joaquin Benoit | Tigers | 0.77 |
12 | Craig Kimbrel | Braves | 0.76 |
13 | Javier Lopez | Giants | 0.72 |
14 | Jason Grilli | Pirates | 0.71 |
15 | Jim Henderson | Brewers | 0.71 |
16 | Alex Torres | Rays | 0.70 |
17 | Jordan Walden | Braves | 0.70 |
18 | Edward Mujica | Cardinals | 0.69 |
19 | Sergio Romo | Giants | 0.68 |
20 | Sam LeCure | Reds | 0.63 |
21 | Paco Rodriguez | Dodgers | 0.62 |
22 | Louis Coleman | Royals | 0.61 |
23 | Shawn Kelley | Yankees | 0.59 |
24 | Manny Parra | Reds | 0.58 |
25 | Casey Fien | Twins | 0.57 |
26 | Gonzalez Germen | Mets | 0.57 |
27 | Glen Perkins | Twins | 0.56 |
28 | Brandon Kintzler | Brewers | 0.55 |
29 | Sean Doolittle | Athletics | 0.55 |
30 | Luke Hochevar | Royals | 0.54 |
31 | Preston Claiborne | Yankees | 0.54 |
32 | Brian Matusz | Orioles | 0.51 |
33 | Trevor Rosenthal | Cardinals | 0.51 |
34 | Dan Otero | Athletics | 0.50 |
35 | David Robertson | Yankees | 0.50 |
36 | Juan Perez | Blue Jays | 0.50 |
37 | Tommy Hunter | Orioles | 0.50 |
38 | Will Harris | Diamondbacks | 0.50 |
39 | Antonio Bastardo | Phillies | 0.49 |
40 | Brett Cecil | Blue Jays | 0.48 |
41 | Junichi Tazawa | Red Sox | 0.48 |
42 | Matt Belisle | Rockies | 0.48 |
43 | Andrew Miller | Red Sox | 0.47 |
44 | Grant Balfour | Athletics | 0.47 |
45 | Jason Frasor | Rangers | 0.47 |
46 | Josh Collmenter | Diamondbacks | 0.47 |
47 | Randy Choate | Cardinals | 0.47 |
48 | Seth Maness | Cardinals | 0.47 |
49 | Carlos Torres | Mets | 0.45 |
50 | Bobby Parnell | Mets | 0.44 |
51 | J.P. Howell | Dodgers | 0.44 |
52 | Caleb Thielbar | Twins | 0.43 |
53 | Joel Peralta | Rays | 0.43 |
54 | Joe Thatcher | – – – | 0.42 |
55 | Matt Reynolds | Diamondbacks | 0.42 |
56 | Addison Reed | White Sox | 0.41 |
57 | Brad Ziegler | Diamondbacks | 0.41 |
58 | Darren O’Day | Orioles | 0.41 |
59 | Jonathan Papelbon | Phillies | 0.41 |
60 | Aroldis Chapman | Reds | 0.40 |
61 | Luis Avilan | Braves | 0.40 |
62 | Robbie Ross | Rangers | 0.39 |
63 | Tony Watson | Pirates | 0.39 |
64 | Boone Logan | Yankees | 0.38 |
65 | Casey Janssen | Blue Jays | 0.38 |
66 | Jared Burton | Twins | 0.38 |
67 | Ross Ohlendorf | Nationals | 0.38 |
68 | Chad Qualls | Marlins | 0.36 |
69 | Vin Mazzaro | Pirates | 0.36 |
70 | Francisco Rodriguez | – – – | 0.35 |
71 | Jake Diekman | Phillies | 0.35 |
72 | Tyler Clippard | Nationals | 0.35 |
73 | Donovan Hand | Brewers | 0.34 |
74 | Tom Gorzelanny | Brewers | 0.34 |
75 | David Carpenter | Braves | 0.33 |
76 | Scott Downs | – – – | 0.33 |
77 | Josh Outman | Rockies | 0.32 |
78 | Steve Cishek | Marlins | 0.32 |
79 | Dale Thayer | Padres | 0.31 |
80 | Alfredo Figaro | Brewers | 0.30 |
81 | Cody Allen | Indians | 0.29 |
82 | Neil Wagner | Blue Jays | 0.29 |
83 | Ryan Cook | Athletics | 0.28 |
84 | Steve Delabar | Blue Jays | 0.28 |
85 | Bruce Rondon | Tigers | 0.27 |
86 | Nate Jones | White Sox | 0.27 |
87 | Craig Breslow | Red Sox | 0.26 |
88 | Jean Machi | Giants | 0.26 |
89 | Rex Brothers | Rockies | 0.25 |
90 | Heath Bell | Diamondbacks | 0.24 |
91 | Jerome Williams | Angels | 0.24 |
92 | Tanner Scheppers | Rangers | 0.24 |
93 | Danny Farquhar | Mariners | 0.23 |
94 | Joe Smith | Indians | 0.23 |
95 | Santiago Casilla | Giants | 0.23 |
96 | Chad Gaudin | Giants | 0.22 |
97 | Alfredo Simon | Reds | 0.21 |
98 | Anthony Varvaro | Braves | 0.21 |
99 | Jamey Wright | Rays | 0.21 |
100 | Jose Veras | – – – | 0.20 |
101 | Tim Collins | Royals | 0.20 |
102 | Ernesto Frieri | Angels | 0.19 |
103 | Wilton Lopez | Rockies | 0.19 |
104 | Aaron Loup | Blue Jays | 0.17 |
105 | J.J. Hoover | Reds | 0.17 |
106 | Rafael Betancourt | Rockies | 0.17 |
107 | Charlie Furbush | Mariners | 0.16 |
108 | J.C. Gutierrez | – – – | 0.16 |
109 | Jeanmar Gomez | Pirates | 0.16 |
110 | Blake Parker | Cubs | 0.15 |
111 | Craig Stammen | Nationals | 0.15 |
112 | Justin Wilson | Pirates | 0.15 |
113 | Matt Thornton | – – – | 0.15 |
114 | Brian Duensing | Twins | 0.14 |
115 | Carlos Villanueva | Cubs | 0.14 |
116 | J.J. Putz | Diamondbacks | 0.14 |
117 | Kevin Gregg | Cubs | 0.14 |
118 | Fernando Rodney | Rays | 0.13 |
119 | Jesse Chavez | Athletics | 0.13 |
120 | Bryan Shaw | Indians | 0.12 |
121 | Luke Gregerson | Padres | 0.12 |
122 | Sandy Rosario | Giants | 0.12 |
123 | Anthony Swarzak | Twins | 0.11 |
124 | Luis Ayala | – – – | 0.11 |
125 | Ross Wolf | Rangers | 0.10 |
126 | Scott Rice | Mets | 0.10 |
127 | Andrew Bailey | Red Sox | 0.09 |
128 | LaTroy Hawkins | Mets | 0.09 |
129 | Pat Neshek | Athletics | 0.09 |
130 | Aaron Crow | Royals | 0.08 |
131 | Cesar Ramos | Rays | 0.08 |
132 | Mike Dunn | Marlins | 0.08 |
133 | Oliver Perez | Mariners | 0.08 |
134 | Mariano Rivera | Yankees | 0.07 |
135 | Joe Kelly | Cardinals | 0.06 |
136 | Matt Lindstrom | White Sox | 0.06 |
137 | Yoervis Medina | Mariners | 0.05 |
138 | Joe Nathan | Rangers | 0.04 |
139 | Ryan Webb | Marlins | 0.04 |
140 | Tim Stauffer | Padres | 0.04 |
141 | Tyson Ross | Padres | 0.04 |
142 | Michael Kohn | Angels | 0.03 |
143 | Rafael Soriano | Nationals | 0.03 |
144 | Carter Capps | Mariners | 0.02 |
145 | Dan Jennings | Marlins | 0.02 |
146 | Burke Badenhop | Brewers | 0.01 |
147 | Matt Guerrier | – – – | 0.01 |
148 | Adam Ottavino | Rockies | 0.00 |
149 | Ryan Pressly | Twins | 0.00 |
150 | Chris Perez | Indians | -0.01 |
151 | Dane de la Rosa | Angels | -0.01 |
152 | Fernando Abad | Nationals | -0.01 |
153 | Josh Edgin | Mets | -0.01 |
154 | David Aardsma | Mets | -0.02 |
155 | Edgmer Escalona | Rockies | -0.02 |
156 | Jake McGee | Rays | -0.02 |
157 | Jerry Blevins | Athletics | -0.02 |
158 | Troy Patton | Orioles | -0.02 |
159 | Adam Warren | Yankees | -0.03 |
160 | Kevin Jepsen | Angels | -0.03 |
161 | Ronald Belisario | Dodgers | -0.03 |
162 | Bryan Morris | Pirates | -0.04 |
163 | James Russell | Cubs | -0.04 |
164 | Jim Johnson | Orioles | -0.04 |
165 | Joe Ortiz | Rangers | -0.05 |
166 | Darren Oliver | Blue Jays | -0.06 |
167 | Logan Ondrusek | Reds | -0.08 |
168 | Brad Brach | Padres | -0.10 |
169 | Huston Street | Padres | -0.10 |
170 | Manuel Corpas | Rockies | -0.10 |
171 | Tony Sipp | Diamondbacks | -0.10 |
172 | Jared Hughes | Pirates | -0.11 |
173 | Rob Scahill | Rockies | -0.11 |
174 | Darin Downs | Tigers | -0.12 |
175 | Esmil Rogers | Blue Jays | -0.12 |
176 | Tyler Thornburg | Brewers | -0.12 |
177 | Rich Hill | Indians | -0.13 |
178 | Phil Coke | Tigers | -0.16 |
179 | Tom Wilhelmsen | Mariners | -0.16 |
180 | Luke Putkonen | Tigers | -0.17 |
181 | Josh Roenicke | Twins | -0.18 |
182 | Cory Gearrin | Braves | -0.19 |
183 | Raul Valdes | Phillies | -0.19 |
184 | Al Alburquerque | Tigers | -0.20 |
185 | Jose Mijares | Giants | -0.20 |
186 | Kelvin Herrera | Royals | -0.20 |
187 | Ramon Troncoso | White Sox | -0.20 |
188 | Justin De Fratus | Phillies | -0.21 |
189 | Nick Hagadone | Indians | -0.21 |
190 | Jonathan Broxton | Reds | -0.23 |
191 | Scott Atchison | Mets | -0.24 |
192 | Joba Chamberlain | Yankees | -0.25 |
193 | Mike Adams | Phillies | -0.26 |
194 | Drew Storen | Nationals | -0.27 |
195 | Matt Albers | Indians | -0.27 |
196 | Vinnie Pestano | Indians | -0.27 |
197 | A.J. Ramos | Marlins | -0.28 |
198 | Blake Beavan | Mariners | -0.28 |
199 | Wesley Wright | – – – | -0.28 |
200 | Michael Bowden | Cubs | -0.29 |
201 | Brad Lincoln | Blue Jays | -0.30 |
202 | Greg Burke | Mets | -0.30 |
203 | Garrett Richards | Angels | -0.31 |
204 | Josh Fields | Astros | -0.31 |
205 | Pedro Strop | – – – | -0.31 |
206 | Fernando Salas | Cardinals | -0.33 |
207 | David Hernandez | Diamondbacks | -0.35 |
208 | George Kontos | Giants | -0.36 |
209 | Paul Clemens | Astros | -0.37 |
210 | Kyle Farnsworth | Rays | -0.39 |
211 | Michael Gonzalez | Brewers | -0.40 |
212 | T.J. McFarland | Orioles | -0.40 |
213 | Clayton Mortensen | Red Sox | -0.41 |
214 | Donnie Veal | White Sox | -0.41 |
215 | John Axford | Brewers | -0.42 |
216 | Alex Wilson | Red Sox | -0.44 |
217 | Travis Blackley | Astros | -0.45 |
218 | Brandon Lyon | Mets | -0.48 |
219 | Ian Krol | Nationals | -0.50 |
220 | Ryan Mattheus | Nationals | -0.51 |
221 | Bruce Chen | Royals | -0.54 |
222 | Jose Cisnero | Astros | -0.58 |
223 | Carlos Marmol | – – – | -0.59 |
224 | Lucas Luetge | Mariners | -0.59 |
225 | Jeremy Horst | Phillies | -0.60 |
226 | Hector Ambriz | Astros | -0.62 |
227 | Dallas Keuchel | Astros | -0.63 |
228 | Jeremy Affeldt | Giants | -0.65 |
229 | Henry Rodriguez | – – – | -0.71 |
230 | Michael Kirkman | Rangers | -0.74 |
231 | Hector Rondon | Cubs | -0.78 |
232 | Brandon League | Dodgers | -0.88 |
233 | Anthony Bass | Padres | -0.92 |
234 | Shawn Camp | Cubs | -1.04 |