Chad Durbin

Durbin made 56 appearances out of the Cleveland bullpen, racking up service time despite a 5.53 ERA and a 1.639 WHIP. He opted for free agency in hopes of getting a non-roster invite to spring training from someone. Regardless of where he lands, there's little to get excited about here as his FIP has exceeded 5.00 in three of his last five big leagues seasons and he doesn't deliver the strikeouts or ratios necessary to serve as a viable staff filler in AL/NL-only formats.

Durbin had a solid year for the Phillies in 2010. He was 4-1 with a 3.80 ERA and 63:27 K:BB ratio in 68.2 innings of relief. Durbin's FIP of 4.72 indicates he was a little bit lucky but he's valuable to major league teams because of his ability to pitch multiple innings. Durbin received some consideration for a starting job with a few clubs this winter, but he is better suited for a middle relief role. Durbin is not a particularly valuable fantasy contributor given his middle innings role.

Durbin wasn't able to replicate his solid numbers from 2008 last season. He struggled with his command and posted an awful 6.07 BB/9IP walk rate. His dominance remained strong (8.01 K/9IP) which helped him keep his ERA under 4.50, but his lack of command has been a problem throughout his career and makes him one to avoid in fantasy leagues.

Durbin came over to Philadelphia from Detroit, having started in over half his appearance there in 2007. The Phillies placed him in the bullpen and ended up getting an underrated contributor to their championship season. Durbin proved to be one of the most reliable middle relievers in all of baseball, going 5-4 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 63 strikeouts in 87.2 innings and 71 appearances. While he has the starting experience, he’ll again be used in middle relief in 2009 with the potential for an emergency spot start.

Durbin was a valuable member of Detroit's staff last season filling both a bullpen and spot starter role. His final numbers were not spectacular but he's basically around to eat innings. Regardless of his role, Durbin walks too many batters and doesn't strike out enough of them to be successful in the majors, let alone your fantasy squad. He'll compete for a job in the rotation or bullpen after signing a contract with the Phillies.

Durbin pitched very well at Triple-A Toledo last season and would have received a longer look in the majors had he been with almost any club but Detroit. The Tigers pitching depth never forced them to dip down into the minors to bring up the journeyman but he did earn a late promotion in September and currently holds on to a spot on the team's 40-man roster. He'll get a chance to compete for a bullpen spot this spring.

Durbin lets batters routinely take him deep into the count, which leads to all sorts of bad things like walks and homers. His train has sailed.

It seems light years from when he was considered a "prospect" and at 26, he's roster fodder if he's lucky. He has never been able to conquer his gopheritis, giving up nearly a homer per game, even at the Triple-A level.

Likely done for the year after having surgery on his elbow in September. He's been on the Royal radar screen for five years, but is still only 25 years old, so a strong comeback is still possible. His great poise and a great change up will be in the mix again in 2004.