MLB Relief Pitcher of the Year: Bullpen Performance Matters

The landscape of Major League Baseball has changed a lot over the past few decades. No group has seen their value skyrocket more than relief pitchers.

People used to see relievers as failed starters or just placeholders. Now, these bullpen arms are crucial for winning games.

Starting in 2026, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) will introduce a new Relief Pitcher of the Year award for both the American and National Leagues. It feels like overdue recognition—finally, relievers will stand alongside MVPs, Cy Young winners, and other top BBWAA honorees.

A Long Overdue Recognition for Relievers

For years, baseball insiders have pushed for relievers to get more respect in league awards. Jayson Stark has pointed out that since Dennis Eckersley’s MVP and Cy Young sweep in 1992, no reliever has finished in the top three for MVP, and only Eric Gagné in 2003 has won a Cy Young.

That’s a pretty glaring omission, especially since these pitchers now handle some of the game’s most intense moments.

A Look Back at Reliever Award History

It wasn’t always this way. Back in the day, relievers like Mike Marshall, Sparky Lyle, Bruce Sutter, Rollie Fingers, and Willie Hernández not only dominated late innings but also snagged baseball’s biggest awards.

But as the save stat lost some credibility and starters still handled most of the innings, attention shifted away from bullpen stars.

The Sporting News gave out the Fireman of the Year from 1960 to 2004. MLB rolled out the Delivery Man of the Year and the Rivera/Hoffman awards, but these mostly went to closers and didn’t always capture the full depth of the bullpen.

Why the BBWAA Change Matters Now

The timing for this new award seems perfect. Pitcher usage in the modern game has flipped the script.

Starters, who used to aim for complete games or at least deep outings, now average just 5.3 innings per start. That puts relievers—closers, setup guys, middle relievers, even multi-inning arms—right in the spotlight.

From Afterthought to Essential

The bullpen now drives many championship teams. Managers use relievers to play matchups and adjust strategy inning by inning.

Relievers aren’t just backups for failed starters anymore. They’re weapons—throwing with max effort, using nasty movement, and handling the highest-pressure moments.

Pitchers like Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Billy Wagner built legendary careers entirely in relief. All three have spots in the Hall of Fame, along with five other pure relievers, showing the respect the position has finally earned.

Potential Impact on the Game

Honoring a Relief Pitcher of the Year in both leagues is bound to stir up new debates. Voters will have to look beyond just saves—stats like strikeout rate or leverage index might start to matter more.

This change gives a shot at recognition to setup men or multi-role relievers who don’t pile up saves but consistently deliver in big moments. Maybe it’ll even inspire more young players to see relief roles as something to chase, not just settle for.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The award’s arrival in 2026 could shake up how baseball appreciates pitching talent. Fans, players, and even the old-school baseball historians will probably watch with curiosity to see who grabs that first honor.

Will it land in the hands of the league’s most dominant closer? Or maybe a shutdown setup guy finally gets his due?

• Balances historical oversight with how pitching works today
• Pushes people to dig deeper into stats, not just focus on saves
• Puts bullpen arms on the same stage as MVPs and Cy Young winners
• Shows how pitcher specialization keeps growing in MLB

 
Here is the source article for this story: MLB Relief Pitcher of the Year Award to honor an essential role — just ask the Dodgers