This all just goes to show how shifty and unpredictable relievers are. You could have made a very good case the Cubs had the best bullpen in the league prior to the start of the season. Relievers should not be signed to multi-year contracts. Other than closers, here are all the consistently good relievers I can think of off the top of my head: Scot Shields And Scott Linebrink. That's about it. Howry was close to that level, but Dusty may have damaged him. Cla Meredith. Justin Duchescher. Dan Wheeler. And that's just non-closers.