David Riske

Riske was a disappointment in 2008 and missed the second half of the season with a bone spur in his right elbow. There's no way of knowing how much the injury contributed to his 5.31 ERA, but he should return healthy in 2009. It's possible that he gets a chance to close some games depending on what Milwaukee does in the offseason, but right now it's a long shot.

After playing for three teams in two years, Riske settled down with Kansas City in 2007, posting a 2.45 ERA and a G/F ratio near even. He was credited with mentoring some of the Royals’ young pitchers and turning around Zach Greinke. He still throws hard, especially against lefties. He signed as a free agent with Milwaukee, where he’ll fill the same role of late-inning set-up man.

Where have all of the strikeouts gone? Riske has averaged 8.62 K/9 in his major league career. In 2005, he struck out just 48 in 72 innings, which was cause for alarm. In 2006, that number fell to 28 in 44 innings. Riske needs the strikeouts back because otherwise he is prone to months like last July, when he allowed nine hits, eight walks and six runs in 10 innings of work. He'll now work as a set-up man for the Royals.

Outside of an alarming drop in his strikeouts, Riske showed improvement in most phases of his game except he is still quite vulnerable to the home run. His penchant for allowing the big fly keeps him from earning closer money but the way middle relievers were paid in the offseason, it might not matter that much. Riske is a good late-innings guy who vastly improved his control from 2004's 41 walks in 77 innings to just 15 walks in 72 innings. Now, about those strikeouts...

Following a disastrous April and May that cost him the closer's job, Riske stabilized to put together a credible season in a set-up capacity. It turns out that Riske's newborn son was born with an obstruction in his kidney, a condition that eventually improved but probably took its toll on his performance. Bob Wickman is healthy for now, and Bobby Howry is probably next on the pecking order to close. Still, in deeper leagues you should be able to stash Riske away for the minimum cost and turn a profit.

After pitching solidly in a set-up capacity, Riske took over the closing duties following the Danys Baez implosion, and showed he can close games. Riske might not have the job to start the 2004 season - Bob Wickman is the favorite to take his closer job back - but Riske might be the better option. Bid low on Riske's skill-set and not his current role, and you will be pleasantly surprised when he has the job by June.

Riske walked the ballpark every night, gave up a run or two, and then struck out the side. Because of his arm he will have a shot at making the Tribe's pen, but his wildness will kill your roto team.