Editor's note: Now that free agency has started, Keith Law picks out possible best values, worst values and trade targets across every position group. He started with catchers, followed that with corner infielders, middle infielders, outfielders and starting pitchers, and now continues the annual series with a look at the relief pitchers who have hit free agency, as well as some potential trade targets.
For the top 50 free agents across every position, click here.
With only two relievers among my top 40 free agents, I'll skip the "top free agents" section today and move along to some other relievers who are likely to get heavy interest this offseason.
Non-top 50 free agents of note
Antonio Bastardo, LHP: He's extremely effective against left-handed batters (.138/.233/.215 in 2015, .175/.302/.338 in 2014) and useful enough against right-handed pitchers to be a setup man, or at least to not be a liability as a specialist. The problem with one-out lefty relievers is they'll probably still face right-handed batters half the time, maybe more often, and if they have large platoon splits, they're suddenly a lot less practical to have on a roster. Bastardo is a lefty generalist, the guy to target if you don't get Tony Sipp.
Brandon Morrow, RHP: I had Morrow in last year's Buyer's Guide for relievers, saying he belonged in the bullpen because he couldn't stay healthy as a starter. The Padres signed him last winter, gave him five starts, and he shocked absolutely no one by getting hurt, going down with a tear in his shoulder that required surgery. I'm a little stubborn sometimes, and I still think Morrow could have value as a swing reliever, not a one-inning guy (especially if he can't go back-to-back days without getting hurt) but someone who can face six to nine batters per outing and end up with half the workload he would have had as a starter.
Carlos Villanueva, RHP: The Cardinals used Villanueva exclusively in relief in 2015, the first time he failed to start a single game in the majors since 2010. But the team at least made use of his ability to go multiple innings by having him get four outs or more 18 times, recording at least seven outs in eight of those appearances. I'm a fan of the vanishing (or vanished) long man in the bullpen, especially with the trend toward pulling starters after three or even two times through the opposing lineup, and Villanueva, who has a fringy fastball but offsets it with a solid slider/changeup combo, is the best traditional long man on the market.
Joakim Soria, RHP: As good as Soria was during his peak with Kansas City, he's just not that guy anymore, so acquiring him is more about getting that "proven closer" mystique. He's still fastball-heavy, but has resorted to throwing more four-seamers and has become much less adept at missing bats. In 2015, he posted the worst FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) and second-worst contact rate (by pitches) of his career, and he just can't pitch up in the zone like he used to do. Someone will sign him for more than he's likely to produce, given his name and save totals, but I think he's a one-year, $1 million-$2 million guy at most.
Trade targets
Craig Kimbrel, RHP, San Diego Padres: The Padres traded Joaquin Benoit on Thursday but still could shop Kimbrel and find someone cheaper to close. Kimbrel is due $24 million over the next two seasons and just had the worst year of his career in terms of both ERA or FIP -- though his worst would be most relievers' best. He's too expensive for a low-payroll team that has other options in the ninth inning but has been underpaid for most of his career -- if he's even a 2 WAR reliever, $11 million is still cheap, and 2015 marked the first time he was under 2.4 since he broke into the majors. The Padres should be able to get real value, in prospects or in big leaguers, if they're willing to put Kimbrel on the market.
Francisco Rodriguez, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers: K-Rod is the better option for teams looking for a cheaper closer who still has experience in the role; he's due $7.5 million in 2016 with a $6 million option for 2017. He has been durable for far longer than most relievers and remains effective because he remade himself as a changeup guy even as his fastball has dipped to average. He has had a history of off-field incidents, twice being arrested on domestic violence charges, which would be enough to keep me away. The Brewers have no need for a pricey closer in their current rebuilding state anyway.
Ken Giles, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies: The idea of the Phillies shopping Giles popped up this week during the GM meetings, where a lot of possibilities are always discussed but rarely come to fruition. The argument in favor of moving Giles is a good one: By the time the team is good, he'll be expensive or no longer effective. He's still due the minimum salary for another two years, so the Phillies have no financial incentive to move him. It would have to be a baseball trade, one in which they net significant return value in prospects/young major leaguers. I think this is one that new Phillies GM Matt Klentak will explore but probably not consummate because the price will be -- and should be -- high.
Jake McGee, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays: McGee earned $3.5 million in 2015, was held to just 37 innings while battling injuries and probably will get around $5 million this winter through arbitration, making him a luxury for the Rays, who have other quality relievers (like Brad Boxberger) and more pressing needs to which they could put that money. McGee works almost exclusively with his fastball, both four- and two-seam varieties, and he has been slightly more effective against right-handed batters in his career, making him a true setup/closer type rather than a specialist or someone who has to be limited to lower-leverage work. If I were a GM looking for a closer, or just a good late-game reliever, I'd much rather go after McGee than pay the price in prospects and coin for Kimbrel or take on the makeup concerns of K-Rod.
Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Washington Nationals: Hey, I wouldn't want him.