2011 BBA National League Goose Gossage Award

Name	W	L	SV	G	IP	K/9	BB/9	ERA	WAR
Craig Kimbrel	4	3	46	79	77.0	14.84	3.74	2.10	3.2
Sean Marshall	6	6	5	78	75.2	9.40	2.02	2.26	2.8
Joel Hanrahan	1	4	40	70	68.2	8.00	2.10	1.83	2.0
John Axford	2	2	46	74	73.2	10.51	3.05	1.95	1.9
J.J. Putz	2	2	45	60	58.0	9.47	1.86	2.17	1.7
Ryan Madson	4	2	32	62	60.2	9.20	2.37	2.37	1.7
Jonny Venters	6	2	5	85	88.0	9.82	4.40	1.84	1.7
Eric O'Flaherty	2	4	0	78	73.2	8.19	2.57	0.98	1.6
Rafael Betancourt	2	0	8	68	62.1	10.54	1.16	2.89	1.6
Jason Motte	5	2	9	78	68.0	8.34	2.12	2.25	1.5
Kenley Jansen	2	1	5	51	53.2	16.10	4.36	2.85	1.5

There were certainly some tremendous seasons put up by relievers this year in the National League.  A quick look at the above chart (sorted by Fangraphs WAR) tells us that these seasons are not limited to closer, but include a number of set-up men as well.

Taking Sean Marshall out of the discussion for a moment (more on that later), I see names that do not surprise me: Kimbrel, Axford, Putz and Hanrahan jump right out.  Having had the opportunity to watch Madson pitch a lot this year, he would likely be in this discussion if not for his injury and the limitation on his saves opportunities as a result.

I wrote about Kimbrel at some length in my post regarding Rookie of the Year, so I will not repeat myself.

Hanrahan blew only four saves in 44 opportunities.  Not bad, considering his transition as a pitcher.  Last year, he put up a strikeout rate of 12.92/9, with a walk rate of 3.36/9.  This year, that strikeout rate dropped precipitously to 8.00, but the walk rate and home run rate dropped with it.  More groundballs and less wildness led to a much better season, though his xFIP in 2010 and 2011 did not vary much (2.64 and 2.98 respectively).  The Pirates, however, still finished with a losing season, so even Hanrahan’s excellent season could not right the ship.

Despite a better ERA and a career high in saves this year, Putz probably had a better season in 2006 with the Mariners (xFIP of 2.14 then and 3.10 this year).  The Diamondbacks did go 13-10 without him in late June and July; they were, however, 26 games over .500 with him in the closer role.  Moreover, he helped solidify a previously shaky pen.  The Diamondbacks are likely not in the playoffs at all without Putz, and he earned his accolades this year for sure, all the while pitching in a pretty tough park.

John Axford had a tough start to the season.  After an at times shaky 2010 despite the impressive numbers, Axford began the year with a lesson in “How to Blow a Three-Run Lead in 21 Pitches,” letting Ramon Hernandez beat him with a walk-off 3-run home run.  Axford blew another save on April 18 against the Phillies.  The next blown save?  Game 5 of the NLDS, five months later (an inopportune time, but at least T-Plush picked him up).  Axford gave up only 10 earned runs from April 18 to the end of the season and utterly dominated hitters.  His xFIP of 2.85 suggests a little luck, but the high strikeout rate (10.5) and the .289 BABIP tell me that it was more skill than luck.

So why no discussion of Marshall, Venters, O’Flaherty, Betancourt and others?  Well, to be honest, while good, their teams were competitive without them.  Venters and O’Flaherty had ERA/xFIP differentials of 1.04 and 2.07, respectively.  While Betancourt and Marshall were impressive, they did not carry their bullpens to new heights and did not make their teams more competitive.  Can a set-up man win best reliever?  Probably, but it would take a very special year to do so.

In the end, I am giving Axford the nod over Kimbrel in a photo-finish.  Both pitchers had strikeout rates over 10.00.  Axford was just a little better in walk rate and LOB%, while Kimbrel had a better WHIP and better ERA.  They both had 46 saves.  But, the difference is, the Brewers made the playoffs, whereas Kimbrel had a hand in bringing the Braves’ season to an end.  Putz gets third.

The vote: 1) Axford. 2) Kimbrel. 3) Putz.