Aaron Sele

Inserted into the rotation for a struggling Odalis Perez in May, Sele proceeded to go 3-0 with 2.33 ERA in six consecutive quality starts. July rolled around, though, and the struggles began. Sele would up in the bullpen, the possessor of a 7.28 second-half ERA. Considering he hasn't been a good pitcher since 2001, that wasn't a surprise. Sele is probably near the end of the line and will enter 2007 either in retirement or in some team's camp on a minor league deal.

It’s hard to believe Sele is only 34; it feels like this guy should have turned 40 five years ago. Over the last two seasons, there hasn’t been much positive to talk about. He’s walked at least as many as he’s struck out, his ERA and WHIP make it seem like he’s pitching at Coors Field (or more accurately, on the Moon) and he averages some where in the neighborhood of five and a third innings a game. Hard to believe the Angels let him go. Going forward, he should last a little while longer as someone’s staff filler. We're not high on his comeback and frankly, as a free agent he may have a hard time finding a spot in anyone’s rotation.

The Angels made a concerted effort to bring Sele back from shoulder surgery slowly. Even given the injury, it's clear Sele isn't the same pitcher who went 15-5 with the Mariners in 2001. With the acquisitions of Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar, it's not even clear Sele will get a chance to start in 2004, barring the Angels trading for an upgrade in their offense.

Sele had his highest ERA (4.89) in five years in 2002 and battled a shoulder injury, limiting him to only 26 starts. ERA will likely stay in the 4.50 range and his WHIP will be about 1.40 in 2003, making him only a marginal fantasy choice in AL-only leagues. He has lost his strikeout touch, punching out only one every two innings in the last two seasons.