Free-for-all for saves in Florida, and a healing hurler
What a difference a year makes in the back end of the Tampa Bay Rays' bullpen. Last year: Rafael Soriano (the closer) was surrounded by Joaquin Benoit, Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour and Chad Qualls.
Free agency has led to a revamped bullpen this year. The locks in spring training are Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Andy Sonnanstine and Adam Russell.
What a difference a year can make, indeed.
Soriano was a fantastic acquisition last year, locking down 45 saves while posting a WHIP of 0.80 and an ERA of 1.73. Just don't expect that kind of production from any one reliever this year.
The right guy for the job?
Why? Well, Joe Maddon realizes he doesn't have a closer with Soriano-like abilities in the ninth this year. Farnsworth and Peralta are the front-runners, but this is looking more and more like a closer-by-committee. Don't expect this to change anytime soon; Maddon won't name a closer this spring. "I'm wanting that to happen, but I'm not going to force it, either."
Neither Farnsworth nor Peralta are lighting up fantasy baseball draft radars with potential closer value. The 34-year-old Farnsworth is intriguing, though, especially in AL-only leagues. He has become more of a complete pitcher - added a cutter and sinker - which should help him finish games.
Jake McGee, the 24-year-old starter turned reliever, could earn a spot as the closer in the future, but expecting him to do so this year would be a stretch. The Rays tend to bring along their young arms very carefully, too.
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Only a few months ago, Chicago White Sox SP Jake Peavy (lat) would have been a scary investment. Now, he's looking like a prime candidate for a pitching rebound. Because of his major injury last year (detached latissimus dorsi muscle beneath his pitching shoulder), you can still have him for a bargain.
Undervalued: Jake Peavy
He's starting to feel more normal and his early performances this spring have reflected that. He is a fierce competitor - he worked diligently in the offseason and is primed for a comeback. If he stays healthy and can maintain his mechanical adjustments from before the injury, he can give you some serious pitching depth. Don't forget about him!
KFFL Baseball
- Our Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide will exponentially increase your chances of stealing all the cash from your buddies in your leagues this year.
- Follow our debates on key players in Diamond Duels.
- Continue to follow my Foul Territory, Nicholas Minnix's Finger Nickin' Good and Tim Heaney's Rounding the Bases.
