The top free agent reliever left on the market is former Phillies RHP Ryan Madson. In 62 games last year, he was 4-2 with a 2.37 ERA with a career high 32 saves. The Phillies have signed Jonathan Papelbon, the Marlins Heath Bell, Francisco Rodriguez accepted arbitration to remain with the Brewers, and the Padres traded for Huston Street and the Blue Jays traded for White Sox Sergio Santos. Heres the top seven destinations for the hard throwing right-hander:
7. Chicago Cubs: The Cubs are a sleeper and may be interested in replacing Carlos Marmol, who had a terrible season last year. Madson could be brought in initially to be Marmol's setup man and if Marmol struggles, Madson could step in and be the closer.
6. Oakland Athletics: The A's have Andrew Bailey as their closer right now but he has openly been shopped. Assuming he is traded, perhaps to the Red Sox, the A's will be interested in Madson as the team's closer. I don't see the A's going above and beyond 2 years, so I don't see them as the top choice. But a possibility does exist.
5. Tampa Bay Rays: If the years stay at two, you have to include the Rays in the discussion. Kyle Farnsworth had a good season last year as the team's closer and Madson could provide some depth. He can step in as the 8th inning reliever and similar to the Cubs, provides a net in case Farnsworth either falters or gets hurt.
4. Colorado Rockies: The Rockies do not have a closer unless they feel comfortable with Rafael Betancourt and Matt Lindstrom. They would probably offer two years with an option for Madson. He is currently looking for three, but he might be a fit with the Rockies if the market comes down.
3. Philadelphia Phillies: Don't rule the Phillies out. They are more concerned at the moment, with retaining Jimmy Rollins and adding either a left fielder or a third baseman with power. So, if Madson is still out there, the Phillies will be interested. He has been there for a while and he's used to setting up for them. The price still has to come down.
2. Boston Red Sox: I see the Red Sox as the favorite, but I think its equally as likely that they acquire RHP Bailey from Oakland. If that happens, there will be no room in Boston with Bailey, Daniel Bard, and newly acquired Mark Melancon. If the trade does not happen, its a perfect fit as I see Boston more likely to give a three year deal then any other team on this list. I see the odds that Bailey gets traded to Boston making the Madson signing not necessary.
1. St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals are the ultimate fit for a couple of reasons. They really don't have a legitimate closer, (Jason Motte is ok) and Fernando Salas is not dominant as a setup man. Octavio Dotel signed with Detroit and plans are for LHP Marc Rzepczynski to be a starting pitcher next year. So, the Cardinals could use the depth. Another interesting aspect is returning pitching coach Dave Duncan has had a knack for moving relief pitchers into the starting rotation and vice versa. (Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper, Rzepczynski, Dennis Eckersley) Madson made 17 starts for the Phillies in 2006 and even as a reliever, has more of an ability than more to pitch multiple innings. He could certainly fill multiple roles for St. Louis. But, if Bailey is not traded to Boston, Madson will go to the Red Sox.
7. Chicago Cubs: The Cubs are a sleeper and may be interested in replacing Carlos Marmol, who had a terrible season last year. Madson could be brought in initially to be Marmol's setup man and if Marmol struggles, Madson could step in and be the closer.
6. Oakland Athletics: The A's have Andrew Bailey as their closer right now but he has openly been shopped. Assuming he is traded, perhaps to the Red Sox, the A's will be interested in Madson as the team's closer. I don't see the A's going above and beyond 2 years, so I don't see them as the top choice. But a possibility does exist.
5. Tampa Bay Rays: If the years stay at two, you have to include the Rays in the discussion. Kyle Farnsworth had a good season last year as the team's closer and Madson could provide some depth. He can step in as the 8th inning reliever and similar to the Cubs, provides a net in case Farnsworth either falters or gets hurt.
4. Colorado Rockies: The Rockies do not have a closer unless they feel comfortable with Rafael Betancourt and Matt Lindstrom. They would probably offer two years with an option for Madson. He is currently looking for three, but he might be a fit with the Rockies if the market comes down.
3. Philadelphia Phillies: Don't rule the Phillies out. They are more concerned at the moment, with retaining Jimmy Rollins and adding either a left fielder or a third baseman with power. So, if Madson is still out there, the Phillies will be interested. He has been there for a while and he's used to setting up for them. The price still has to come down.
2. Boston Red Sox: I see the Red Sox as the favorite, but I think its equally as likely that they acquire RHP Bailey from Oakland. If that happens, there will be no room in Boston with Bailey, Daniel Bard, and newly acquired Mark Melancon. If the trade does not happen, its a perfect fit as I see Boston more likely to give a three year deal then any other team on this list. I see the odds that Bailey gets traded to Boston making the Madson signing not necessary.
1. St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals are the ultimate fit for a couple of reasons. They really don't have a legitimate closer, (Jason Motte is ok) and Fernando Salas is not dominant as a setup man. Octavio Dotel signed with Detroit and plans are for LHP Marc Rzepczynski to be a starting pitcher next year. So, the Cardinals could use the depth. Another interesting aspect is returning pitching coach Dave Duncan has had a knack for moving relief pitchers into the starting rotation and vice versa. (Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper, Rzepczynski, Dennis Eckersley) Madson made 17 starts for the Phillies in 2006 and even as a reliever, has more of an ability than more to pitch multiple innings. He could certainly fill multiple roles for St. Louis. But, if Bailey is not traded to Boston, Madson will go to the Red Sox.
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