Pindelski's Best Bullpens

Here are his top ten major league bullpens. The author uses the Baseball Prospectus statistical measurement named WXRL for his rankings. WXRL takes two measurements and combines them into one number to help assign value to relief pitchers. The higher the number the better.

The first measurement takes the expected wins added over a replacement level pitcher and assigns a value to the pitcher that is being studied. This first measurement is then meshed with a second measurement that determines the quality of the opposing hitters the hurler faces.

Now who knows what a good WXRL is? I certainly don't. It's not like how I can evaluate doubles or batting average. Forty-three doubles? Yeah, that guy had a pretty good darn year in the gapper department. How about a .224 batting average? Well, if you're not Adam Dunn your stinking up the joint.

In 2006 the leader in WXRL was Francisco Rodriguez who checked in at 7.301. Rodriguez was the leader in 2005 also with a 5.619. And in 2004 Brad Lidge hit 8.097 to lead the majors.

Through May 10th, 2007 the major league leader in WXRL is Atlanta's Rafael Soriano with a 1.927. The top WXRL bullpen in the majors this year has been the Padres at 4.664.