Who has the 2008 AL East's top bullpen (top three in each shown)?
| BAL (Ray, Baez, Walker) |  0 (0.00%) |
| BOS (Papelbon, Okajima, Timlin) | 65 (56.52%) |
| NYY (Rivera, Farnsworth, Hawkins) | 3 (2.61%) |
| TB (Percival, Reyes, Wheeler) | 1 (0.87%) |
| TOR (Ryan, Accardo, Frasor) | 46 (40.00%) |
As noted in the rotations poll, if you think I boofed any of the "top threes" listed, let us know here who's missing.
We're 11 polls into this thing and this is only the second time I've voted for the Jays -- BAL screams "inconsistent," BOS is shaky at best behind Papelbon and Okajima, NYY ain't what it used to be, and TB -- Troy Percival? Really? My vote does reflect the expectation of a healthy B.J. Ryan, admittedly, and that may take some time ...
The bullpens are nice, but not great in this division. Good thing those rotations are what they are!
You're wrong on who Bostons and the Jays best top three are for a start.
Boston's includes Delcarmen making their top three FANTASTIC. The Jays top three includes Accardo, Janssen and Wolfe if Ryan is not ready and Ryan replaces Janssen if he is (Janssen goes to the rotation). Boston is as good, could be borderline better, 1 through 3 - however, the Jays 1 through 7 could be the best in baseball next year! Ryan (or Accardo), Accardo, Wolfe (or Janssen), Wolfe, League, Downs, Tallet, Frasor.
Wolfe is HUGELY underrated - possibly the most underrated bullpen guy in the AL.
I voted for the Jays with a healthy Ryan. I think Ryan, Accardo and Frasor is right, and Bill James agrees. He projects Downs, Janssen and Wolfe will all see their ERA's climb over 4.00, while Frasor's improves to 3.80. I wouldn't be surprised if Purcey is the Jays' third best reliever by September, though, and I also wouldn't be surprised if League doesn't even make the team. Ryan, Accardo, Frasor, Wolfe, Downs, Tallet and Litsch is my bullpen. Perhaps D. Romero if he's healthy and has a good spring.
The Jays and Red Sox are clearly better than the rest in my opinion.
I really don't see it. He was very effective last season (2.98 ERA, 150 ERA+), but he was 26 years old, pitched only 45.3 innings and stuck out only 22 guys. He has good control, but his stuff is average at best and his minor league numbers (prior to last season) were brutal. This all screams fluke. I think he's more likely to wash out of the majors next season then repeat the same level of effectiveness. If he is counted on to be our top relievers, we could be in some serious trouble.
Boston's includes Delcarmen making their top three FANTASTIC.
Agreed. Delcarmen is a beast.
The Red Sox have the best pitching, the best centerfielder, the best DH, a pretty good infield and are favourites again in 2008.
I don't know if I'd say Boston's top three are "far better" than the Jays' top three. A healthy Ryan is an equal to Papelbon, perhaps very slightly behind. Accardo and Okajima had similar years last year as Accardo had a better ERA but Okajima posted slightly better peripherals. Delcarmen does look better than the Jays' third best reliever of either Downs, Frasor or Janssen, so overall I'd put Boston's top three ahead of the Jays. I just think that the difference is small, not great. But overall, I voted for the Jays because of their depth. Behind the top three of Ryan, Accardo and Frasor, the Jays have three relievers who posted ERA's under 3.00 last year.