On the note of WPA for relievers, I personally like the concept of Shutdowns (SD) and Meltdowns (MD) that FanGraphs has. Former is when an RP adds .06 or better to +WPA, latter is -0.06 or worse. From there I like to make a ratio of SD/MD. This is used as to correlate with hold or save numbers on a 1:1 basis. Granted, they’re metrics of efficiency, not necessarily if the guy pitched well, as a notable wart/flaw of using these.
By this stat, Workman is the most efficient reliever, with 16 shutdowns (16th across RP), 5 meltdowns, both numbers tied exactly with New York’s Adam Ottavino. By total team efforts? Sox are 8th best with 76 shutdowns, while their 45 meltdowns are tied for the 13th fewest (Reds, Angels). Sure, this isn’t the Yankee, Tampa, or San Francisco bullpen but going by these intertwined metrics, this is a top 10 unit.
For implication purposes, simple to use as a scale for comparing. According to Steve Slowinski, below are the suggested barriers of success needed for a full season, for an individual player. Given we’re about halfway through, I’d just divide each number by 2.
Excellent
|
40
|
2
|
Great
|
35
|
4
|
Above Average
|
25
|
6
|
Average
|
20
|
8
|
Below Average
|
15
|
10
|
Poor
|
10
|
12
|
Awful
|
5
|
15
|