Lance Cormier

While the Braves released Cormier after a brief, but unsuccessful run as a starter, Baltimore snatched him up and tried to convert him to a full-time reliever. He started the season in Triple-A with a minor league contract, pitched well and earned a call to the big league. Cormier became a long reliever and the results were much better than his run with Atlanta. He was non-tendered by the O's in December, but it is likely he will land in a similar role elsewhere unless he tanks in the spring.

After a tantalizing conversion to a starter in late 2006, Cormier couldn't build on the momentum in 2007 amid a triceps injury in his throwing arm and his role in 2008 is unclear. He had a 3.92 ERA with a 30:14 K:BB ratio in seven starts after moving to the rotation in late 2006, but missed most of the first half of last season. He finally found his form in July at Triple-A with a stretch of four starts with a 0.93 ERA and 17:7 K:BB ratio in 29 innings. He couldn't carry that momentum to the majors, however, and struggled the rest of the season. He was released by the Braves and will try to find work as a fifth starter. He's a long shot given his age and recent arm troubles, but his recent minor league strikeout and control numbers give a glimmer of hope.

Cormier struggled in the first half of last season with a 6.12 ERA ad a 13:25 K:BB ratio. But he re-invented himself as a starter in the second half and posted a 3.92 ERA with a 30:14 K:BB ratio in 41.1 innings in seven starts. He'll compete for Atlanta's fifth-starter role this spring. Although he's struggled with control during his career, his second half numbers last season may make him worth a flyer.

Cormier was the Diamondbacks closer for about five minutes in June. By September, he was the last man in the pen thanks to a double-digit ERA after the All-Star break. Cormier had been used primarily as a rotation pitcher in the minors until last April. Expect the Braves to send him back to Triple-A as a starter this season to see if he develops.

That misleadingly low 2.29 ERA in the desert bandbox at Double-A El Paso (note the below-average WHIP) led the desperate Diamondbacks to give Cormier a shot last season and he just wasn't ready. The team feels he was rushed a little last year, however, and he'll likely start 2005 at Triple-A, with another shot at the bigs coming either this year or next.

Cormier, the former Alabama ace was a fourth-round pick in 2002. His best pitch is a low-90s sinker, which he controls well and spots to any part of the plate. However, he lacks "stuff" and his other pitches need further refining. So far, Cormier hasn’t been dominant enough to project to anything other than the backend of the rotation, but he’s had enough success to think he could climb as high as third-starter status. The 2004 season will be the measure, as he could climb as high as Triple-A.