Eric Gagne, CL, Texas Rangers

January 4, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Joshua Ellis
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Although the Texas Rangers say their priorities are with strengthening their rotation, they made a move to help the bullpen by signing former Los Angeles Dodgers star closer Eric Gagne to a one-year, $6 million contract with performance incentives that could make the deal worth $11 million.

Gagne, who was once one of the game's best closers, battled severe injury problems that held him to appearing in just 16 games over the past two years. On June 21, 2005, Gagne had Tommy John surgery to repair a sprained ligament in his right elbow. This is the second time in his career to have this type of surgery (1997). During the surgery, doctors determined that a nerve was to blame for the pain in Gagne’s elbow. He later would have a second surgery during spring training of 2006 to fix the nerve but after two relief outings after surgery, Gagne landed back on the disabled list because of continued discomfort. Finally, on July 4, Gagne woke up with back pain, it was determined that he had two herniated discs and he underwent surgery on July 8 which officially ended his season.

Gagne has had some bad luck with injuries of late, but he is still confident that he can produce at a high level.

"I have no doubt in my mind I'll be healthy on the mound all year. I haven't felt this good for two or 2 1/2 years," Gagne said. "I know I haven't lost anything… I still know how to pitch. It's just a matter of getting back on the mound."

Before the recent problems, Gagne has had a tremendous major league career. Born in Montreal, Quebec on Jan. 7, 1976, Gagne was surrounded by ice rinks and hockey pucks, and after growing up playing hockey he decided to pursue baseball instead in high school. Gagne was selected in the 30th round by the Chicago White Sox out of high school in 1994, but decided to attend Seminole State College in Oklahoma. The Dodgers then signed Gagne in 1995 as an undrafted free agent and the young Canadian began playing minor league baseball in 1996 with Single-A Savannah.

Gagne enjoyed success in his first season in the minor leagues, but was placed on the disabled list for the entire 1997 season to undergo his first of two Tommy John surgeries. He returned to baseball in 1998 with Single-A Vero Beach and then joined Double-A San Antonio as a 23-year-old in 1999. Later that year, on Sept. 7, 1999 Gagne would make his professional debut with the Dodgers.

For his first two major league seasons, Gagne was used primarily as a starter and was ineffective in that role. Gagne was just 11-14 with an ERA near five in his first two seasons. Things drastically changed however in 2002 when Gagne was named the team’s closer.

Over the next three seasons, Gagne was unhittable. In 2002, he had 52 saves while compiling an ERA of 1.97 and striking out over 12 batters per nine innings. In 2003 and 2004 Gagne had very similar success as he recorded 55 and 45 saves respectively, all while striking out batters at a rapid rate and keeping his ERA at or below 2.

In that 2003 season, Gagne became the first closer to save 50 or more games in multiple seasons and he was the fastest closer to reach 100 saves. He also converted a record 84 consecutive save chances from 2002 to 2004. For his efforts in the 2003 season, Gagne was awarded the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award along with the Cy Young Award.

Over his career, Gagne has converted 96 percent of his save opportunities, making him the most successful closer in that respect in major league history, but how will Gagne do in 2007?

Gagne joins a re-building team in Texas. During this offseason, the Rangers lost second baseman Mark DeRosa, outfielders Gary Matthews Jr. and Carlos Lee and pitchers Adam Eaton and Kip Wells. Gagne, along with outfielders Kenny Lofton and Frank Catalanotto, will have to shoulder a big load if the Rangers don’t make anymore moves before the season.

Gagne will take over the closer role for which Akinori Otsuka flourished in last season for Texas. Otsuka had 32 saves to go along with a 2.11 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He will be Gagne’s setup man going into the 2007 season.

The Bottom Line

When Gagne was signed to play with the Rangers, he was put through an extensive physical, given a contract of at least $6 million and possibly as much as $11 million, given the closer role and Gagne has stated that he feels good. If Gagne wasn’t able to produce, then he wouldn’t have passed the extensive physical and received a huge contract of guaranteed money. Keep a close eye on how Gagne performs in spring training but I think we will see a similar Gagne to what we have come to know in the past. If at any time Gagne goes down with an injury or has complications, quickly jump on your computer and pick up Otsuka, who has proven he can produce, before anyone else in your league can get him. Otsuka was a good setup man for fantasy leaguers while he was in San Diego, so he is probably a good option to draft in your final round as insurance or as a good WHIP and ERA producer. Consider Gagne a solid option for saves this year if he can remain healthy.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Joshua Ellis
Joshua has been a KFFL contributor since 2006.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $350 in cash prizes (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Brian Roberts seeing the light at the end of the rehab tunnel (05/24)
Fantasy baseball players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Dee Gordon's problems at bat (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Will Smith, Yordano Ventura, Wil Myers, more (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Roundtable: How trade talks develop (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Tyler Clippard, J.J. Putz (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Mark Teixeira's ill beginnings (05/23)
Fantasy NASCAR race preview: Coca-Cola 600 (05/23)