Top 10 relievers (non-closers) for 2018

5. Pat Neshek, Phillies. The crafty Neshek remained a frustrating pitcher to face for all comers last year, posting the third sub-2.00 ERA season of his career. At age 36, Neshek was at his best yet in 2017, utilizing his wipe-out slider and confounding submarine delivery to a 1.59 ERA, 1.86 FIP and 69 strikeouts against only six walks over 71 games. He returns to Philadelphia, where he had an astounding 1.12 ERA and held right-handers to a .201 average against, after being dealt to the Rockies at the trade deadline.

4. Archie Bradley, Diamondbacks. The D-backs' decision to pull the plug on Bradley as a starter and put him into play as a reliever proved to be one of the best decisions of the year. Bradley ramped up his fastball, challenged batters with a plus curveball and became one of the most dominant back-end relievers in the game. He posted a 1.73 ERA and turned in 25 holds, and he looks to be on the short list of closers-in-waiting around the game today.

3. David Robertson, Yankees. Robertson has become one of the relief masters due to a dominant curveball that enhances his plus fastball even further. After turning in three consecutive 30-plus save seasons between the Yankees and White Sox, Robertson returned to the role he mastered in his initial stint in the Bronx late in 2017 as one of the game’s top setup men. Robertson posted a career-best 0.849 WHIP overall on the year and went to a new level in two months in pinstripes, working to a 0.743 WHIP, going 5-0 while converting eight holds and holding opponents to a .119 average against (14 hits over 35 innings).

2. Chad Green, Yankees. Green came into his own in his second season and instantly propelled himself into the stratosphere of elite late-inning performers. In 40 games, Green ran up 103 strikeouts, while walking only 17 and allowing 34 hits in 69 innings. This was good for a 0.739 WHIP, and he held opponents to a .440 OPS, a mark that only Andrew Miller bettered.

Yet, much of what makes Green so dangerous is his ability to sustain his impact over multiple innings. He made 30 multi-inning appearances on the year, and in eight of those outings, Green allowed one hit or less. Starting July 9 and carrying through July 23, Green worked 9.1 no-hit innings, striking out 16 against only three walks. In a staggeringly talented New York 'pen, Green is the best, most versatile weapon Aaron Boone possesses.

1. Andrew Miller, Indians. Whether it be the record-setting deal he landed four years ago with the Yankees or the revolutionary way he redefined the approach to deploying the best option out of a bullpen during his time with the Tribe — specifically in the 2016 postseason — Miller remains the game’s most impactful reliever.

Although a knee injury (marginally) hurt his control at times, Miller lowered his ERA from 1.45 in 2016 to 1.44 last season. He still was hellacious on left-handed opponents, holding them to a .164 average over 61 at-bats. However, he was even harder on righties, who swung only .136 against him in just over 90 more chances. He did not allow a run over his first 14 appearances, and in the last three years, Miller has allowed only four earned runs over 25.1 postseason innings across five series.

However, what truly makes Miller so valuable is his ability to be deployed at any time the game requires his skill set and for as long as needed. He made 19 multi-inning appearances, ranging from the sixth to ninth innings, completing 27 holds and a 3.1 WAR. When the stakes are highest, Miller is readily available and able to excel, thus the reason that every team is striving to find its own version of the irreplaceable southpaw.

Just a bit outside: Anthony Swarzak (Mets), Ryan Madson (Nationals), Yusmeiro Petit (Athletics)