While the importance of relievers increased dramatically this past season when managers didn’t shy away from hooking starters and a few teams beginning games with bullpen arms, starting pitchers have hogged the free agent spotlight this offseason.
Patrick Corbin received a whopping six-year deal for $140 million from the Nationals. Nathan Eovaldi took a four-year contract for $67.5 million. Carlos Carrasco, who wasn’t a free agent, got what amounted to a four-year extension for $44 million.
All that money was offered and inhaled while relievers wait for a market to develop.