2026 MLB Power Rankings: Ordering the Best Free Agent Relief Pitchers

Finding reliable bullpen help is an ongoing quest for Major League teams. This winter, there’s a fair amount of high-end relievers available in free agency, headlined by several closers, as well as one top reliever who could have the chance to shine outside the shadow of Mason Miller in San Diego.

Best relievers available this winter

This year’s crop of relievers is fairly deep. In fact, this list doesn’t take into account the likes of Brooks Raley, Shawn Armstrong, Steven Okert, Andrew Kittredge, Joe Jimenez, and Brent Suter, all pitchers who’ve been highly reliable veteran arms over the years.

It’s an essential draw at the top between David Bednar & Adrian Morejon, both of whom received qualifying offers from their respective teams. But given that Bednar is an All-Star closer, that puts him over the edge.

Bednar, who notched 35 saves last season, is one of three notable closers available this winter. Raisel Iglesias, who spent 2026 as the Braves’ top high-leverage reliever, saved 34 games and struck out 64 over 60 innings. He performed exceedingly well in his age-36 season, which could put him in line for a multi-year deal after he re-signed with the Braves last November.

The other is Emilio Pagan, who spent the last two seasons as Cincinnati’s closer. Pagan, like Iglesias, re-signed with the Reds last winter on a two-year deal that came with an opt-out. He missed time with a hamstring injury suffered in May, yet still had a strong season with 25 saves and a sub-4.00 ERA.

He navigated a difficult pitching environment well as a Red, which helped him pick up 57 combined saves over the last two years.

As for the other big-name relievers, Adrian Morejon is, perhaps, the best reliever that many may not know about. By many metrics, Morejon was an electric reliever. A left-hander with an upper-90s fastball and a deep pitch mix, he was one of the top chase pitchers in the game, finished 15th among relievers in opponents’ wOBA (.244), and top 40 in K/9 (11.2).

The other plus for Morejon is that he’s coming off his age-27 season. There’s a lot of expected mileage left in the talented lefty, who blossomed as a reliever after beginning his MLB career as a starter.

San Diego also saw Jason Adam go to market. Adam struck out just 22 over 34.1 IP but posted a sub-3.00 ERA and has an extensive track record of keeping hitters off balance.

The rest of the list is populated by several left-handers. JoJo Romero is coming off a World Series title with the Brewers, while Sean Newcomb was used in nearly every type of situation for the White Sox. He logged 90 innings in the regular season, notched four saves, started six games as an opener, and was largely dependable.

Gregory Soto has closing experience, including in 2026 when he briefly served in that role with the Pirates. Alex Vesia, meanwhile, is a top matchup option for left-handers thanks to his riding fastball, plus the breaking ball.

The other notable name is Paul Blackburn, one of the big wild cards in this free agency. As we noted earlier this month, Blackburn was one of the best relievers in the game in 2026. But Blackburn also spent years as a starter with the Athletics and Mets.

Check out more of our MLB coverage, including our starting pitcher free-agent power rankings.