The relief market is well known for unusual activity during the off-season. For example, the Philadelphia Phillies made a head-turning move with its signing of Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million contract this year. Since then, Philadelphia’s former closer, Ryan Madson, signed a one-year deal worth around $8 million with the Reds — and their former, former closer, Brad Lidge, just just a one-year, $1 million agreement with the Nationals.
In addition to those three relievers just mentioned, Matt Capps received a $4.75 million salary to return to the Twins, and Fernando Rodney got $2 million from the moneyball Rays. But one of the few relievers who could not find a guaranteed contract was Dan Wheeler, who signed a minor league contract with the Tribe last week.
Wheeler re-joined the Rays in late 2007 after spending a few seasons with the Mets and the Astros. As a member of the Rays’ bullpen, Wheeler posted descending xFIP marks — beginning in 2008 with a 4.50 xFIP, but e...
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