Which has more value in 5x5 roto baseball?

Question

a starting pitcher or a reliever?

and what should the starter to reliever ratio be in relation to the 9 slots?

Answer 1

The starter has much more value - just as in real baseball. The starter has significant impact on 4 categories, while the closer has it on one (he has some impact on ERA WHIP and ks but usually doesn't pitch enough innings to count nearly as much as one of your starters.)

As to how many -- depends on your league, and on what strategy you adopt. People trying to win the saves category in my experience need 3 closers. You could also go with two solid closers, and hope to pick up someone who moves into the job, because there are always a number of those. You can also use one of your slots for one of the 3 or 4 top middle relievers as another strategy.

Answer 2

The starter has a better value. This is because they play for a definite every five days and produce what it take for a reliever to produce in 1 and a half weeks. A relive is unknown when they will play. I would say the ration should be 2:1. For every 2 pitchers you have a reliever.

Answer 3

Starters are definitly more valuable, because they will impact 4 of the 5 stats in a significant way. You should definitly try for at least 5 starters, probably even 6.

What you should note though is that there are a lot more starters than closers...and even less quality closers. Relief pitchers are almost useless if they aren't closers, they only reason to pick one up is if they pitch often and are lights out.

Answer 4

Starters have a defined impact on 4 out of 5 categories. Relievers have a lesser impact on those 4 (by far) and a significant impact on just one.

Also, starters are far more predictible than relievers. You can fill out with waiver wire relievers and have a quality team. Just look at Papelbon last year.