I'm not bypassing IP. It's a given that starters pitch about 3 times as many innings as relievers.
The question is how much do the other factors make up the difference in innings.
Maybe the WAR numbers are the only way to compare.
Then again,
bWAR loves Kimbrel more than fWAR does.
fWAR loves Porcello more than bWAR does.
You totally bypassed the point about the quality of the innings (Kimbrel having an ERA that's twice as good.)
Also worth noting is that 'high leverage' probably should be broken down even further if you want to do a really accurate analysis. Within 'high leverage' would be PA's that are higher leverage than others.
Leverage breakdown by PA:
Porcello
H 130
M 360
L 311
Kimbrel
H 136
M 43
L 60
Kimbrel actually has more high leverage PA's.
Another factor is that Kimbrel's ERA is about half of Porcello's, and has been over their careers.
I do agree that Kimbrel would be overpaid at $20M, I'm just not sure by how much.
We might have won the division without Bogaerts, or Bradley...in fact we might have won without either of them! No need to worry about keeping those guys around. This is quite a relief actually...
It's true, there is significant risk no matter what you do.
That's why guys like DD and Cashman get paid a lot to make these calls, and with tons of data at their fingertips-and even then they're going to be wrong a fair number of times.
I liked your Familia and Ottavino idea, but together they're probably going to command $20M a year or so too, as you said.
Your idea costs as much on an annual basis, just for less years, presumably.
Signing Cody Allen and some 'top-flight' setup guy might end up as a waste of $20M AAV too.
There are no guarantees either way.
You spends your money and you takes your chances.