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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 106  0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Over the past 4 season, Papelbon has saved 151 games, posted an ERA under 2.00, and a WHIP under 1.00. With the Red Sox set to be one of the game's best teams once again, there is no reason why Paps can't approach 40 saves in 2010. 3-40-1.90-1.00-75 in 70 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Papelbon posted the highest WHIP of his career last season (1.15) and saw a slight drop in his saves total as well. That's all I've got for negatives. 3-35-2.20-1.10-70 in 65 IP |
Analysis:
Some will debate which of Papelbon or Mariano Rivera is the better option, but the truth is, you can't go wrong with either guy. It's like having to choose between dating a hot blonde or hot brunette. The only real difference is that the younger Papelbon doesn't carry to risk of physical breakdown that the 40-year old Rivera does, but Rivera carries to potential to save more games. 3-38-2.10-1.05-75 in 70 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 77 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 117 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Let's see... he pitches for the defending world champions, is coming off of a 44 save season, and is perhaps the greatest closer of all time. Plus, I'm pretty sure he is a robot. 5-43-1.90-0.90-75 in 65 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
He turned 40 this off-season, and eventually every player's skills start to deteriorate, even those you are convinced are actually robots. Could this be the season that Mo proves to be human? 3-33-2.50-1.05-55 in 50 IP |
Analysis:
When it comes down to it, Rivera is still amongst the best, if not the best closer in the game. Yes, he is getting up there in age, but he has shown no indication of breaking down whatsoever. Rivera is just as reliable as ever. 3-40-2.10-0.95-70 in 65 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 76 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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25 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 105 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Soria will get you the saves you desire and even rack up an impressive strikeout total. 3-38-1.90-0.95-80 in 70 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Soria hit the DL last year and could be a repeat offender. Also, playing for the Royals will limit his save chances. 3-28-2.40-1.15-65 in 55 IP |
Analysis:
Soria should end up as a top-10 closer by year's end, but be careful spending too much for him. Playing for the Royals will offer less save opportunities than your average closer. 3-33-2.10-1.05-75 in 65 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 100 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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22 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 84 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Bailey is fairly intriguing, because although the A's curtailed his innings as the season wore along, he was getting more than an inning a turn after he turned closer early in the season. As a result, the 91 strikeouts he posted don't look like a product of longer set-up appearances. Leading credence to believe his control was real, Bailey only walked two batters in 22 appearances from August on. If the improvement in control is real, and the A's continue to give him this much work (almost a necessity with the starting rotation currently on tap), Bailey looks like a poor man's Johnathan Broxton. 5-35-2.75-1.00-90 in 80 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
All that it would take for Bailey to become irrelevant would be for him to return to walking four a game as he did throughout his minor league career and giving up a normal number of home runs on his excessive fly ball rate. Worse, if Joey Devine is healthy and effective (he of the 0.59/0.83 in 2008) during a Bailey cold stretch, Bailey could lose the job altogether. 5-20-3.50-1.30-75 in 65 IP |
Analysis:
The A's started 2009 with two leading candidates to be their closer (Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler) and ended up with a third, Bailey, saving 26 games. Bailey, who was mainly a starter at Wagner College and then through the lower minors, was converted into a reliever during the 2008 season at double-A Midland, where he enjoyed only mixed success. He rode into the Arizona Fall League where he was, in an admittedly small sample, lights out, earning himself a ticket to the majors and eventually the plum bullpen role.
He was so good that neither Ziegler (terrific in '08 but not generally thought of as more than a fill-in closer) and Devine (who was also good in 2008 and had been groomed as the closer) are talked about as this season's closer despite pro forma "competition is open" kinds of talk.
There are some reason to be nervous about his repeating the 1.84/0.88 line of 2009. He walked only 2.59 per inning, which was by far his lowest mark (only equaled in his junior year of college), and he had a stingy 5.6 HR/FB mark. A more normal HR/FB rate is 10% and Bailey is a fly ball type pitcher, so a change there could hurt. Even so, pitchers often have better control when converted to relief, as they use a smaller collection of their pitches, and HR/FB rates are notorious for not regressing on a season-by-season basis. It's a pretty mild cautionary.
The prime question for Bailey seems to be whether the A's will deliver save opportunities to the ninth inning. Given the composition of their rotation (not a good sign when you sign Jason Jennings and Brett Tomko on the same day) there looks to be plenty of bullpen work, but saves?
We like Bailey. 5-30-3.00-1.15-75 in 70 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 117 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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20 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 119 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Job security. The Tigers made the move to get Valverde because their bullpen is pretty dreadful. Valverde should be in line for 35-45 save chances while helping your ratios and strikeout numbers. 3-40-2.50-1.10-70 in 65 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Playing on the Tigers. Because of their brutal bullpen Valverde could see fewer save opportunities than he's accustom to. Detroit's leads may not make it to him in the 9th inning. 3-30-3.10-1.20-65 in 55 IP |
Analysis:
Jose Valverde takes over the closer job for the Tigers this season after Fernando Rodney left via free agency. Look for Valverde to rack up a good number of saves for the Tigers. He should be able to post above average ratios, while striking out around a batter per inning. 3-35-2.90-1.15-65 in 60 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 118 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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20 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 102 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Saves. The Angels plays a lot of close games, which gives Fuentes ample opportunity to pile them up. 3-45-3.10-1.20-55 in 60 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
His ERA & WHIP are borderline embarrassing for a closer, and with his heavy volume of innings, they'll actually hurt your overall totals. And he could lose his job. 3-25-4.00-1.40-45 in 60 IP |
Analysis:
Fuentes did lead the league in saves with 48, but his ERA and WHIP got out of control. I don’t expect the Angles to be nearly as good as last year with their loss of talent plus the improvement of the division's other teams, so look for his opportunities to diminish. The signing of Fernando Rodney would lead me to believe that Fuentes may not have the long leash that he had in 2009. 3-35-3.60-1.30-50 in 60 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 136 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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19 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 105 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Soriano flashed some dominant stuff in 2009, saving 27 games in 31 chances for Atlanta, while holding opposing batters to a BA of .194. His trade to Tampa Bay and subsequent $7.25 million contract guarantees him a stranglehold on the closer job for at least the foreseeable future. The Rays typically generate plenty of closing chances, as their relievers combined for 63 save opportunities in '09. Soriano could be the missing piece in a bullpen that blew an unacceptable 22 save chances in 2009, and his wicked stuff could produce some very strong numbers in '10.
5-35-2.65-1.10-95 in 80 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Soriano has battled shoulder and elbow problems his entire career and missed a big chunk of the 2008 season due to an elbow problem that eventually required surgery. While he has been very effective when healthy, his inability to consistently stay on the field should make a potential fantasy owner very leery indeed. 3-15-3.40-1.20-45 in 55 IP. |
Analysis:
Two words are the key with Soriano: "If healthy." There is no doubting his closer's stuff, and he should rack up plenty of saves as the Rays' ninth-inning man -- as long as he can stay on the field. While it wouldn't surprise us to see Soriano spend some time on the DL, we're willing to bet that he remains healthy enough to be a useful fantasy reliever this year. 5-30-2.85-1.15-80 in 65 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 135 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
19 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 86 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
If Aardsma can keep his 2009 momentum going into this year, he'll be an excellent source of saves, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. 3-38-3.10-1.20-80 in 70 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
2009 could have been a mirage and Aardsma falls back to earth this season. 3-20-3.90-1.50-60 in 50 IP |
Analysis:
Aardsma is currently the 15th closer coming off the board despite his highly successful 2009 campaign. I’m a huge proponent of waiting for closers in the middle-to-late rounds, and Aardsma is a guy who can be had for cheap and produce like a #1 closer. 3-33-3.30-1.30-70 in 60 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 135 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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19 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 108 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
The most encouraging aspect of Jenks' 2009 campaign was that he once again showed he could strike batters out. In 2008, his SO/9 rate had plummeted to 5.5 SO/9, but last year he finished with a solid 8.3 SO/9, to some extent allaying fears that his stuff had fallen off. Jenks has reportedly lost 25 pounds during the offseason, and while it's hard to quantify whether this will have a noticeable impact on his performance, it suggests a maturity that may prove helpful in turning the page on last year. |
Negatives/Downside:
Last season was a bit of a mess for Jenks. His HR/9 rate spiked, increasing from 0.4 in 2008 to 1.5, and he became more hittable, allowing nearly a hit per inning. These numbers fueled a rise in ERA and WHIP, contributing to 6 BS and a career-low 83% save percentage. Often, relievers have a short shelf-life, and given Jenks' decreasing effectiveness, there is reason to worry he may no longer be a strong Cl option. |
Analysis:
Despite the down year, Jenks is primed to be a pretty good value pick. The high ERA may scare some away, but he should still at least be effective enough to hang onto the closer role and accumulate saves and solid strikeout numbers. Plus, most of his problems came during a disastrous August in which his ERA for the month was 8.59, but he finished well, giving him a good chance to post numbers closer to his pre-2009 norms. 3-34-3.40-1.26-50 in 58 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 154 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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17 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 87 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
The previous time Dotel has been asked to assume the closing roles they were in high pressure situations in New York and the then contending Oakland A's teams. In Pittsburgh there will be very little pressure and probably no competition. Dotel struckout nearly 11 per nine IP in 2009 and seems like a good bet to accumulate some saves even if he is not a top notch ERA guy. 4-30-3.50-1.20-85. 70IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Dotel has not posted an ERA below 3 on the major league level since 2003. He's 36. He walked over five a game last season. He's AVERAGED 9.5 home runs over the past two seasons. He's failed each time he's been asked to close and it's the bleeding PIRATES fer crying out loud. Isn't Bob Wickman still out there somewhere? 6-15-4.50-1.50-65. 50IP |
Analysis:
Many moons ago Octavio Dotel was the annointed closer in waiting for the Mets, the Astros, then the Athletics and it just never really happened, his one real shot being in 2004 with decidedly mixed results, blown saves and a general consensus that closing was not for him. Now Dotel is 36 and will get the chance once more.
The question is whether he will succeed.
A prime quality for a closer is his ability to strike people out. A strikeout generally means an inherited runner doesn't score - at least on that play. Dotel does this in spades with a career strikeout rate of nearly 11. But it's about the only thing on his resume that resembles closer material. He's an extreme flyball pitcher so that even though his HR/FB isn't out of the ordinary most seasons, he has so many more flyballs that the number of home runs he allows is simply unacceptable. For reference Mariano Rivera's career HR rate is .5 per nine IP, Joe Nathan .83 - Dotel puts out a neat little 1.16. This on top of his 5.20 BB per nine and you have a formula for disaster.
You can't assume that a closer for a bad team will not get saves, Chad Cordero's good year for the Nationals and Joakim Soria's 2008 season for the hapless Royals jump to mind, but it certainly does not help the odds. 6-20-3.50-1.40-75. 60IP
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| Recommended Draft Position: 179 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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15 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 85 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Wood only gave up three home runs as the Cubs closer in 2008, so the seven homes runs looks like an outlier.Wood is an extremely efficient strikeout guy and doesn't have terrible control. Because of his contract he's likely to be stuck in his role for better or worse unless he is pitching so well another team will take his contract in which case he'll be valuable to you in other ways. 5-35-3.50-1.20-80. 70IP |
Negatives/Downside:
He repeats last season. Or the Tribe finds a Silva or Bradley matching contract and Wood goes off to some unpleasant role in another town. 2-15-4.50-1.40-65. 50IP |
Analysis:
During the winter meetings the Cleveland Indians management admitted that perhaps 10.5 million dollars was more than a non-contending club ought to be paying for a closer. That's true even if Kerry Wood hadn't blown 23% of his save chances (six of 26). As the Tribe found out at the meetings, it's not just a non-optimal use of team capital, but it's 10.5 million reasons why Wood has security as the tribe close and perhaps 11 million more if the vesting option for 2011 is reached.
None of which to say that Kerry Wood isn't qualified to close or won't succeed in the role. 2009 was not a career highlight, seven homes runs over 55+ innings is one to bump up your blown saves total. Totaling only 55 innings instead of a more normal 70 or 80 for a typical closer turned out to be something of a blessing because his 4.25/1.38 numbers were hardly positive. But Wood is better than this and we should expect him to be moderately effective. At the price you will be paying (as opposed to the price the Indians are paying) you aren't expecting Rivera or Broxton numbers anyway.
If Kerry had a different contract we'd all be suggesting that Chris Perez would become the closer sooner rather than later with Wood moving on, but that's unlikely to happen unless Wood is pitching well enough for someone to pay (Cleveland is not thought to have the funds to assume part of their obligations to send him away). 5-25-4.00-1.30-75. 65IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 202 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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14 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 67 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Potential. If he can crack the rotation, Feliz will instantly become an elite source of strikeouts, while giving you good ratios along the way. |
Negatives/Downside:
Youth. We may be expecting too much too quick for the 21-year old. |
Analysis:
We may have only gotten a small sample size of his talents last season, but he made quite an impact. In 31 innings, he posted a 1.74 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and an astonishing 39 strikeouts. It’s hard to determine how this will play out over an entire season, but it’s a risk you should take. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 240 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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9 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 83 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Chamberlain has a world of talent, and is entering his third season as a starter in the majors, a time when many young pitchers bust out. Last year was a step back, but many young starters hit bumps in the road to stardom. The run support the Yankees are a lack to provide will often allow him to pitch with a lead and win a lot of games. The Yankees are living by their statement that Joba will remain a memeber of the rotation. |
Negatives/Downside:
The step backwards he took in 2009 is pretty concerning. He gave up way too many hits and walks. He seems better suited to come out of the pen than to be a starter, and it is likely only a matter of time until the Yanks come to the same conclusion. With Phil Hughes waiting to pounce on Joba's spot in the rotation, and his struggles last season, Chamberlain is simply not someone worth taking a chance on in 2010. |
Analysis:
Joba is definitely talented, but I tend to believe that he is better suited to pitch out of the pen. The Yankees and their fans may be the least patient team in baseball, and if Chamberlain struggles early, expect Hughes to take over his spot in the rotation. While Joba is likely to pitch well should he be relegated to the pen, his value as a set up man would be extremely limited. Joba is someone I will avoid in 2010. 8-0-130-3.60-1.35 in 150 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 259 |
Recommendation: Only at a discount |
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8 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 71 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
If Gregg can win the closer job he'll get somewhere in the line of 30-40 save opportunities, if he can keep the job all year. He'll help out in strikeouts (9.31 K/9 in 2009). |
Negatives/Downside:
There's always the option that Gregg loses the closer competition in spring training, rendering him pretty useless. If he does get the job, you'll have to contend with sub-par ratios all year long. |
Analysis:
Gregg will compete with Jason Frasor and Scott Downs for the closer's role in Toronto to start the year. Gregg has experience closing, but doesn't have the stats to make him a quality fantasy option in 2010. Even if he wins the jobs, it's unlikely that he'll hold it all season long. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 269 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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8 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 72 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
WHIP and strikeouts. Despite his frequent DL trips, Francisco has a career K/9 of over 9.5, which should help boost your overall strikeout numbers. |
Negatives/Downside:
Injuries. Every time he gets on a roll, he gets hurt. |
Analysis:
Frank Francisco is a wonderful source of saves, but you’ll have to handcuff him with CJ Wilson because he always seems to hurt. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 193 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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7 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 79 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
There's a lot to like with Gonzalez heading into 2010. He'll have the job security in Baltimore that he could never find in Atlanta and should get 35-45 save chances for the improved Orioles team. He'll go for a good value and can really help with your ratios and strikeouts (10.9 K/9 in 2009). |
Negatives/Downside:
Moving tot he AL East is never a good thing for any pitcher. Having to play in baseball's best division could crumble all the good will he built up in 2009. |
Analysis:
Mike Gonzalez has been brought in from Atlanta to serve as the closer. Gonzalez was highly effective out of the Braves' bullpen last year, splitting time between the closer and set-up role. He collected 10 SV, while posting a 2.42 ERA in 74.1 IP. He is a huge upgrade for this unit but may experience a tough time transferring from the NL East to the AL East. Expect his ratios to inflate, but he could be a cheap source saves on an improved Orioles team. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 192 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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6 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 87 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Strikeouts. When Morrow is on, he is lights out. |
Negatives/Downside:
Consistency and injuries. A strained right forearm has limited Morrow over the past few season and he'll need to shake that problem if he's going to take a step forward in 2010. |
Analysis:
Despite some reports, Morrow will start the year in the rotation, which is great news for fantasy owners looking for a cheap source of pitching talent. Morrow has the talent which has been evident for years, but he can just never seem to keep himself out of the doctor's office -- possibly due to deficient apple intake. He's no sure thing, but I've always had a soft spot for any pitcher that just piles up strikeouts, and Morrow is definitely that guy (career 9.30 k/9). If he can get the rest of his game out of the gutter, he'll be a steal for both the Jays and shrewd fantasy owners. |
| Recommended Draft Position: |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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6 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 75 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Howell will put up some nice strikeout numbers along with ERA and WHIP. Unfortunately he won't have the innings to make a real impact. |
Negatives/Downside:
Now without save, Howell loses most of his value. |
Analysis:
Now that the Rays have brought in Soriano to close out games, Howell moves back tot he set up role and loses most of his value. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 369 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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4 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 58 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
He should be second in line for saves out of the Angels' bullpen. Other than that potential value, he'll be a steady source of strikeouts. |
Negatives/Downside:
He's basically worthless without the saves. |
Analysis:
The newly signed Francisco Rodney is a likely usurper should Fuentes start to falter. He's no better than a handcuff coming into the season. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 401 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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3 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 87 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Thornton has now produced two straight stellar seasons as Bobby Jenks' setup man. He offers strong strikeout totals - last year he came in at a career best 10.8 SO/9 - and he is stingy with allowing baserunners. Should Bobby Jenks, who is coming off a down year, falter or go down with injury, Thornton figures to be next in line for save opportunities. |
Negatives/Downside:
The biggest negative for Thornton is simply that he lacks a clear path to the saves that would give him indisputable fantasy value. Even if Jenks does go down, there are other options like Scott Linebrink and J.J. Putz on hand who could get save chances if Ozzie Guillen decides he'd rather have Thornton available in the middle innings. |
Analysis:
If your roster affords the ability to carry a non-closer reliever, Thornton could be a nice source of extra strikeouts, even if he doesn't get a chance for saves. In terms of potential save opportunities, there are perhaps stronger options, but few can match Thornton's production in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts. 4-2-2.70-1.10-75 in 70 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 449 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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2 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 75 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Low end start K totals from a middle reliever plus some bonus saves and vulture wins. 7-5-2.63-1.00-105. 85IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Wuertz' best WHIP season prior to last season 0.95 was 1.25. Regressions should be expected. 3-2-3.66-1.25-80. 65IP |
Analysis:
Wuertz got four saves last season but there's very little talk that he is in line to close except as an emergency ninth inning guy. It's not that the 31-year old guy couldn't do it, we bet he'd be good. But the A's organization has had opportunities to do this in the past and hasn't done it. Ergo, more of the same. Which isn't bad. Wuertz will only win a couple fewer games than one of the low-K starters like Zach Duke or even Jon Garland and if he strikes out 102 again, he may surpass their K totals. Fine pitcher and great in a set-up role. 6-5-2.75-1.25-90. 75IP. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 448 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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2 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 77 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
In the last two months of the season, Cahill only gave up six home runs, and four of those were in the first two starts in August. During that period he lifted his strikeout rate a full K higher than before. You would not project for, or pay for the 10K's of his brief minor league career. But this will be his second time through the level and he is only 22. Six strikeouts per nine seems reachable and even a modest decline in his home run rates pulls his ERA down to 4. 12-0-3.75-1.25-140. 200IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Cahill's poor strikeout rates may continue. If so, it may be an indication that he is just over-matched at this age by major league hitting in which case you wouldn't have so much hope about the HR rates either. He's a great prospect, but with only two usable pitches he might be a year or a half year away. 7-0-4.70-1.45-100. 180IP |
Analysis:
If you listened to me last season, you took Brett Anderson instead of Trevor Cahill. I surmised that Anderson's superior control would translate more easily to the major leagues straight from double-A ball than Cahill's supposedly superior stuff. That proved out and Cahill had a workman like, but disappointing year of serving up the long ball and not striking people out.
The usual thing to say about Cahill here is that despite his worse than average performance, he was "lucky" because of his in-play results (a .276 BABIP). And most fielding independent rates show him with an ERA of a half run worse than his 4.76. I sound like a broken record on this, but Cahill's in-play hits were 7.96/9IP. That's a terrible number, In 2007 when he was in A-ball, he gave up 7.00/9IP. Yet his BABIP in 2009 was a "great" .276 and his BABIP in 2007 was a "terrible ".313. Again, as in so many cases, BABIP is an artifact of K-rate (too much math to go into here).
I love Cahill, because despite jumping all the way to the bigs from double-A at the age of 21, he had given up 8 home runs in 238+ innings in the minors and gave up 27 in 178+ major league innings with a 13.4% HR/FB. Cahill struck out a reasonable number of folks in August and September (until his collapse at the end of the month which is typical for a young pitcher).
It's not clear he'll even win a job with the signing of Jason Jennings and Brett Tomko. But there's nothing wrong with his game that would make a marked improvement unlikely. 12-0-4.05-1.35-135.200IP
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| Recommended Draft Position: 426 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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2 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 59 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Though he enters 2010 as Billy Wagner's setup man, Saito stands a good chance of collecting at least some saves this season. The Braves will likely handle Wagner carefully, easing him into being a full-time closer once again, meaning save opportunities for Saito. Pitching in the toughest division in baseball last season, Saito was up to the challenge, striking out nearly a batter per inning and posting a strong ERA. If and when opportunities arise, Saito is positioned to take advantage of them. |
Negatives/Downside:
Saito is no spring chicken, having turned 40 in February, increasing reason to worry past injury issues could crop again or he could lose effectiveness. Last season's underlying numbers are worrisome - he became more hittable, more homer-happy, more prone to walks, and less effective at striking out hitters. It's a safe bet his production will continue trending in these directions. |
Analysis:
Even at 40, Saito should still be good for an effective season. For fantasy purposes, he will be useful in leagues that value holds, and he's a nice speculative pick given he's next in line behind an aging closer with recent injury problems. 3-10-3.20-1.18-50 in 60 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 447 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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Positives/Upside:
Bard should pick up his share of vultures wins as a set-up man for a good team. He has great strikeout potential and could pay off big time if he finds his way into the rotation. |
Negatives/Downside:
The only thing he really has working against him is opportunity. A lot would have to happen before he ended up in the Sox rotation. |
Analysis:
Bard is a great one dollar investment in AL only leagues. He has tremendous upside, and is a great option in keeper leagues. Bard is a nice way to finish off your roster. 5-2-80-3.00-1.20 in 75 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 450 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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Positives/Upside:
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Negatives/Downside:
Injured |
Analysis:
Nathan is one of the game's top closers but will be watching from the sidelines in 2010 with an elbow injury |
| Recommended Draft Position: 400 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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Positives/Upside:
Even if he doesn't get the closer's job, Downs will be an excellent source of WHIP, ERA and strikeouts coming out of the bullpen. If your league counts hold, he'll be a top tier option. |
Negatives/Downside:
Injuries seem to follow Downs around, and hit just when he's starting to catch fire. |
Analysis:
While he'll be in the mix for Jays' closer, he'll more than likely end up as the 8th inning lefty specialist. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 290 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
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Positives/Upside:
Wilson will provide an excellent source of strikeouts out of the bullpen and will be in line to take over closing duties if something were to happen to incumbent Frank Francisco. If your league counts holds, consider Wilson among the game's elite. |
Negatives/Downside:
The downside is obvious, he won't get any save without some help from the injury bug. |
Analysis:
Wilson is a necessary handcuff to Frank Francisco and could have tremendous value should/when Francisco hits the disabled list. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 358 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
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Positives/Upside:
If Farsor can claim the closer role he'll be a nice source of ratio help out of the bullpen, along with his saves. |
Negatives/Downside:
If he ends up as a set-up man, Frasor will have relatively low value for 2010. |
Analysis:
Don't concern yourself too much with incumbent closer Jason Frasor come draft time. Despite being an effective reliever over his six seasons in Toronto, he always seems to falter when he must wear the "closer" name tag. The Jays will have a closer by carousel system in place -- which, for the record, is less capable than a closer by committee. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 301 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
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Positives/Upside:
O' Day is an excellent source of ratio hep from the middle reliever position. If your league counts holds, O' Day will be a nice addition. |
Negatives/Downside:
O' Day looks to be third in line for save in Texas, which will render him useless in all but the deepest of leagues. |
Analysis:
If you’re scouring for holds, look no further than Darren O’Day. On top of the holds, O’ Day will help out your ratios while adding a good chunk of strikeouts along the way. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 567 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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