Matt Lindstrom

The White Sox added Lindstrom to their bullpen prior to the 2013 season, and he quickly became manager Robin Ventura's favorite toy in the bullpen. He was the third-most used AL pitcher in 2013 with 76 appearances. The majority of those appearances came in the seventh and eighth innings and nearly half of those appearances lasted fewer than an inning. He was never used in a ninth-inning save situation in 2013, but he is certainly higher in the pecking order following the departure of closer Addison Reed. He predicts to be one of the team's top bullpen options once again in 2014.

Lindstrom was a late-August acquisition for the D-Backs when starter Joe Saunders was sent packing, but Arizona elected to decline his 2013 option in October. Between his two teams, Lindstrom had his best big league season yet thanks to a career-low 2.7 BB/9 and 0.4 HR/9, along with a career-high 50.7 percent groundball rate. Although he hasn't been racking up strikeouts as many expected during the early years of his career with the Marlins, Lindstrom appears to have developed into a stable middle reliever capable of limiting the damage of free passes and long balls, issues that plagued him with the Marlins and Astros when he was utilized as a ninth-inning option.

Perhaps the days of considering him a closer-in-waiting are over, but Lindstrom had his best season since 2008 during his first run with the Rockies. A big part of that success can be attributed to his improved walk rate (2.33 BB/9IP), the lowest mark he's delivered in any big league campaign. Unfortunately for those trying to use him as a staff filler/closer insurance for Huston Street, Lindstrom's strikeout rate tumbled (6.00 K/9IP) and he only picked up a pair of saves while Rafael Betancourt took over the ninth-inning role in late August. After getting traded to Baltimore, Lindstrom has a better chance of entering the closer mix as the Orioles don't have a true incumbent for the job as spring training begins.

Lindstrom battled back problems through much of 2010, ultimately coughing up the closer's role to Brandon Lyon in June despite a fast start out of gate. Lindstrom throws hard and has more of the prototypical skills of a closer, but that didn't appear to mean much to the Astros as he was traded to Colorado this offseason. He'll provide the Rockies with an insurance policy for the closer spot if Huston Street spends time on the DL this season. Otherwise, he'll be a part of the bridge to the ninth inning with a late-inning setup role this season.

Lindstrom opened the season as the Marlins' closer, but elbow problems soon came calling and by the time he returned to action Leo Nunez had lain claim to the job. Lindstrom still has that traditional back-of-the-bullpen power arsenal, but at some point he's going to have to start finding the plate more often if he's going to make it as a closer. He'll likely open the season working the ninth inning for the Astros after being acquired by Houston in December.

Lindstrom won the Marlins' Closer of the Future lottery in 2008, replacing Kevin Gregg late in the season when the incumbent went down with a knee injury and not doing anything to blow his chance in the spotlight. Lindstrom has closer-worthy stuff with a lively fastball and wicked slider, so don't expect manager Fredi Gonzalez to rock the boat here. Barring an injury Lindstrom will be the team's latest bargain stopper. The big caveat is the organization's history of turning to veteran pitchers if there's any uncertainty at the closer position, but right now the team doesn't look like they'll have much experience in the 'pen behind Lindstrom so even if he struggles out of the gate his job should be fairly safe.

Lindstrom used his mid-90's fastball and biting slider to settle in as a valuable set-up man for the Marlins in 2007. Kevin Gregg should return as the closer, but Lindstrom would be a candidate to replace him should anything (such as winning his arbitration hearing) happen to Gregg.

Lindstrom rebounded from a stress fracture of the humerus bone in his upper right arm that occurred in the AFL in 2005 to pitch fairly well for Double-A Binghamton last season, posting a 3.76 ERA and .266 BAA while striking out 54 in 40.2 innings. He has adjusted well to being moved from the starting rotation to bullpen in 2004, where his 92-94 mph fastball that reaches 96 mph; a slider that reaches the high-80s and has good bite, a curveball that needs work; and a developing change-up are better suited. The Mets tired of waiting for him to be ready to reach that next level since he is 27, shipping him off to Florida with Henry Owens in a deal for Jason Vargas and a prospect.

Lindstrom, who still seems to be regaining his feel for pitching after missing two years on a Mormon mission, struggled so much with his control at Double-A Binghamton that he was moved out of the starting rotation into the bullpen. While pitching in the Arizona Fall League, he had a stress fracture of the humerus bone in his upper right arm that shut him down for two months. When healthy, Lindstrom throws a 92-94 mph fastball that reaches 96 mph; a slider that reaches the high-80s, has good bite, and has shown flashes of being a plus pitch; a curveball that needs work; and a developing change-up. But at 26, injured and coming off a poor season, his star in the Mets' eyes has clearly waned and he will need a big year in the minors to avoid being waived.

Lindstrom is still regaining his feel for pitching after missing two years on a Mormon mission. He throws a 92-94 mph fastball that reaches 96 mph; a slider that reaches the high-80s, has good bite, and has shown flashes of being a plus pitch; a curveball that needs work; and a developing change-up. After advancing through low and high Single-A in 2004, he was sent to the Arizona Fall League, where he made strides on using the inner half of the plate. He turns 25 in February, and given his advanced age, will need to make solid strides in 2005 to have a shot at the majors. He should open the season back in high Single-A Port St. Lucie and, with a solid start, should move up to Double-A Binghamton.