If your team was hoping to snag a top-tier starting pitcher this offseason, the options are quickly dwindling. Corbin Burnes has moved to Arizona, Garrett Crochet has gone to Boston, and Max Fried is cashing in big in New York.

So, what should a team looking for an offseason transformation do? Shift focus to strengthening the bullpen.

Despite the buzz surrounding starting pitcher acquisitions, plenty of impactful players remain available in the relief market. The unpredictability surrounding relievers has often frustrated front offices, but advancements in analytics and pitch development have simplified the process of predicting a reliever’s future performance.

Here’s a rundown of the top 11 relievers still available, according to YSL News Sports’ ranking of 120 free agents, with ages as of April 1 and their previous teams:

1. Tanner Scott (30, Padres)

One could argue that Scott is worthy of a contract akin to the one Josh Hader received from Houston—$95 million. While MLB executives admire pitchers who thrive in high-pressure situations, they still tend to reserve big bucks for traditional closers. Nevertheless, Scott had a 4.0 WAR last year, struck out 84 batters in 72 innings, and posted a 1.05 WHIP over the past two seasons. He’s a game-changer.

2. Carlos Estévez (32, Phillies)

The towering 6-foot-6 Estévez, formerly of the Angels, was named an All-Star in 2023 and continued to excel in 2024, boasting a 0.91 WHIP. Though his playoff appearances with the Phillies were less impressive, his 86% save rate over the past two years and ability to generate weak contact make him a valuable asset in high-pressure situations.

3. Jeff Hoffman (33, Phillies)

This pick comes with a caveat, as Hoffman might transition back to starting in 2025, where he has a career ERA of 5.64 across 50 starts, mostly with the Rockies. However, he excelled as a reliever in the last two seasons, earning an All-Star title in Philly last year despite struggles in the latter half of the season and playoffs. Clay Holmes, another former All-Star reliever speculated to return to starting, got a three-year, $38 million contract from the Mets—highlighting Hoffman’s potential value.

4. Kirby Yates (38, Rangers)

With the Rangers looking to fill their bullpen gaps, it was expected they’d re-sign Yates, a 2024 All-Star who recorded 33 saves. However, they’ve chosen to go with Chris Martin instead, potentially closing the door on Yates’s time in Texas. He remains an attractive option, having struck out 12 batters per nine innings and holding a 1.04 WHIP since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2021.

5. Spencer Turnbull (32, Phillies)

Like Hoffman, Turnbull is a versatile option, having experience both as a starter and reliever. He pitched seven games as a starter and ten in relief during 2024 and famously threw a no-hitter. While he missed the latter part of last season due to a lat injury, he could be a smart acquisition for any team.

6. A.J. Minter (31, Braves)

Although he had a hip surgery in September and only appeared in 39 games, Minter has maintained a striking rate of 11 strikeouts per nine innings since 2021 and recorded a 160 adjusted ERA last year. He has a career .602 OPS against left-handers, making him the second-best lefty on this list after Scott.

7. Kenley Jansen (37, Red Sox)

Jansen has had a quietly impressive two years in Boston, converting 56 out of 64 save opportunities (86%) and posting a 1.06 WHIP last season. While he may not be as flexible as other candidates, he remains a solid option for closing games, sitting only 31 saves away from tying Lee Smith for third place on the all-time saves list with 478.

8. David Robertson (39, Rangers)

The experienced reliever refuses to fade into the background. Robertson turned down a player option for 2025 after pitching a career-high 72 innings last year, maintaining a 1.11 WHIP and a 2.65 FIP, speaking to his continued effectiveness.

9. Tommy Kahnle (35, Yankees)

A possible return to the Bronx made sense until the Yankees acquired Devin Williams and Fernando Cruz, meaning Kahnle would likely be relegated to lower-leverage roles. However, after averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings and enjoying eight scoreless appearances in the playoffs, Kahnle might find more lucrative offers elsewhere.

10. Buck Farmer (34, Reds)

Shifting from a reliable option to a functional player, Farmer is known for his willingness to pitch, as shown by his 71 and 61 appearances in the past two seasons. However, with a 4.00 FIP, there are questions about его effectiveness moving forward.

As he gets older, the decreasing ability to strike out hitters becomes a point of concern.

11. Danny Coulombe (35, Orioles)

Let’s add one more left-handed pitcher to our list. Coulombe performed well during two seasons with Baltimore, boasting a 2.56 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. However, an elbow procedure interrupted his 2024 season. Fortunately, this isn’t a major long-term health issue, and he continues to be very effective against left-handed batters, allowing just a .175 batting average, with no walks, and a .400 OPS in 2024.