LaTroy Hawkins

2013

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2012

Hawkins had a nice bounce back season in 2011, proving once again that relievers are a volatile group from year to year. His biggest improvement came in the control department where he had a 1.86 BB/9IP in 48.1 innings. Now 39, Hawkins signed a one-year deal with the Angels in December, where he will likely be a part of the bridge to young closer Jordan Walden in 2012.

2011

Hawkins started off slowly in 2010, was shut down due to shoulder soreness in May and underwent shoulder surgery in August. He's under contract for one more season, but it's hard to imagine that the 38-year-old has much left in the tank.

2010

Thrust into the closer's role after a leg injury to closer Jose Valverde, the 36-year-old Hawkins performed admirably -- posting a 2.13 ERA an 1.200 WHIP in 65 appearances. The Astros declined to offer him arbitration, but the Brewers were quick to pounce by inking him to a two-year deal during the winter meetings in December. Hawkins will provide some much-needed veteran stability in front of closer Trevor Hoffman in 2010.

2009

Hawkins was acquired from the Yankees before the trade deadline after the veteran righty struggled mightily in the Bronx. Perhaps it was the warm southern air or getting out of the pressure cooker of New York, but Hawkins turned it on with the Astros, going 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA in 24 appearances. He struck out 25 batters in 21 innings while walking just five. If the Astros trade Jose Valverde, Hawkins could emerge as the team’s closer, although he has not had success in that role in the past. If he doesn’t close, he’ll have a role as one of the team’s main set-up men, making him valuable to fantasy owners looking for holds and good rates.

2008

Hawkins struggled early in 2007 before being placed on the DL with an elbow injury. When he returned at the end of May he was relegated to middle-relief duty. His numbers were respectable at the end of the season (3.42 ERA, 1.229 WHIP). With Luis Vizcaino heading to Colorado as a free agent, the Yankees needed a veteran arm to potentially work the seventh or eighth inning in a set-up role in front of Mariano Rivera. Hawkins' stuff doesn't baffle opposing hitters the way it did five years ago (29:16 K:BB, 55.1 IP), so it's hard to endorse him even as a staff filler at this stage of his career.

2007

Hawkins was unreliable as Baltimore's set-up man in 2006, striking out only 27 in 60.1 innings while allowing almost 1.5 baserunners per inning. In the past, signing with Colorado was a death sentence for a pitcher's fantasy value, but in the post-humidor world, he could be helped by a move to Denver. On the basis of his 2006 numbers, however, Hawkins doesn't merit much fantasy consideration past being a hedge for Brian Fuentes owners.

2006

Bounced to the Orioles, Hawkins has closer upside again in the absence of B.J. Ryan. Leo Mazzone has taken lesser raw material--Chris Hammond, anyone?--and fashioned miracles. Talk up Hawkins' rep as a guy who can't close and snag him. At worst, he should help the ratios.

2005

Looking at the numbers alone, you'd be tempted to conclude that 2004 was a good year as a closer for Hawkins, but he saved his worst performances for the most crucial times, blowing several key games as the Cubs were jockeying for a Wild Card berth and tying for the league lead with nine blown saves. As a result, he'll likely be relegated to set-up duty again to start 2005.

2004

Hawkins will be the primary setup man for the Cubs and could even get some save chances after his second consecutive outstanding performance in a setup role last season. After struggling as a starter and closer, Hawkins has been dominant the last two seasons with a strong strikeout rate (75 strikeouts in 77 1/3 innings in 2003) and good control (just 15 walks). However, given his past failures as a closer we're not sold he has the mental makeup to keep the closer job for any length of time. We also have some reservations about his ability to perform away from the Minnesota given how well the Twins coaches built up the mental aspect of his game the past two seasons. We have a feeling he may not have the same makeup out of that comfort zone.

2003

Hawkins had such a terrible second half to the 2001 season as the Twins closer that he was nearly released. He was banished to a middle relief role and thrived without the spotlight on him. Seemed to have finally found a role that matched his psyche with his skills ? even when later in the season he was used more in the later innings. He had a dominant season and should post solid numbers again. However don't expect any saves, as he's proven unable to handle the pressure of the closer role.