Kazuo Fukumori

Fukumori, serving as the closer for the Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan, had a banner year in 2006, saving 21 games for a last-place club and posting a 2.17 ERA while striking out 55 batters in 58 innings. However, Fukumori was limited by elbow problems last season, going on the DL in late July and undergoing surgery to remove bone fragments in his elbow in August. He went 17-for-21 in save chances, posting a 4.75 ERA and 1.689 WHIP with a 33:17 K:BB ratio in 36 innings (34 games). Fukumori relocated to the States in September to continue rehabbing his elbow, and began aggressively marketing himself to MLB teams as soon as he became a free agent in October. If Fukumori can convince potential buyers that his elbow is fine, he'll land a role with a major league bullpen in 2008, with fantasy value determined by his projected role and home park.