Trevor Hoffman

Hoffman proved a lot of people wrong in 2009 by saving 37 games while posting a 1.83 ERA. Most of his improvement over 2008 had to do with him allowing just two home runs in 54 innings. There will always be some concern that he'll revert back to his 2008 form, but the Brewers will likely continue to use him as their closer even if that happens. When you pay for Hoffman, you're paying for his save opportunities, and the only way he doesn't get those in Milwaukee would be due to injury.

Hoffman surprised many as the all-time saves leader tacked 30 more onto his total and is looking to add even more in 2009. However, despite sporting a very impressive 46:9 K:BB ratio, there is some cause for concern as he only worked 45.1 innings, which is extremely low for a regular closer. Part of the reason was that the Padres did not generate a plethora of save opportunities, but they also did not give him much work in non-save situations. Can Hoffman handle a more significant workload? If not, can Hoffman's bullpen-mates on the Brewers absorb the innings that Hoffman cannot? Another red flag is he allowed homers at a rate much higher than usual and since he is a flyball pitcher, this could impact his effectiveness outside of cavernous Petco Park. For years, Hoffman was undervalued. The irony is his questionable durability and home-run tendencies may actually make him overvalued. He signed with the Brewers in January.

Even at age 40, Hoffman is a top-10 closer. There are reasons for skepticism (his 2.98 ERA last year was his highest since 2001 and his 6.9 K/9IP ratio isn't terribly impressive), but the fact remains that Hoffman has saved 37 or more games in 11 of his last 12 seasons. He's dependable, too, with 55-70 appearances in all but one season since 1994.

Hoffman finished second in the 2006 N.L. Cy Young Award balloting after saving a league-leading 46 games. He experienced some shoulder soreness in September, but did not require a stint on the disabled list and said the soreness was normal at the end of a long season. His 46 saves were his highest total since 1998 and his 2.14 ERA was his lowest since 2000. Hoffman's stuff looks as good as ever, and he's a great bet in 2007 so long as his shoulder soreness does not worsen.

Hoffman notched 43 saves in 2005 for the front-running Padres, and there's no reason to think he can't do it again in 2006. If he does, he'll become the all-time career leader in saves. At 38, he still strikes out batters at a fairly reliable clip, but the air of invincibility around him is starting to lift a bit. He's got a few years left as a top-notch closer.

The 37-year-old's shoulder held up as predicted and his overall numbers were eerily similar to those posted prior to the issue. With 41 saves, a 2.31 ERA, and a strikeout per inning, he was 'Hoffman-esque,' in fact showing signs he was more economical than years past. He is one of the game's elite closers on a decent club that could again contend for a playoff spot. Advancing age and injury possibility is the one caveat that may keep his fantasy value at a reasonable price.

Hoffman's had two simultaneous procedures in May, one to remove a section of his collarbone, and one to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. By all reports, the surgeries were a success as he rehabbed and returned to major league duty in early September. His fastball velocity was in the low 90s, and he used his changeup more often. Last year's performance by Rod Beck should have opened some eyes as to the need for upper-velocity in a closer. His perfect 20 was statistical evidence that the right makeup and experience are the key ingredients to closing games. Hoffman, the now elder statesmen, has those qualities in spades, and while he's a moderate health risk, his abilities should sustain him for a year or two.

Pain in his pitching shoulder ended his 2002 season a week early. After undergoing shoulder surgery in October, Hoffman aims to get back to being one of the game?s best closers. He?s probably started on the downward slope of a great career, but his numbers this year should be right in line with his previous three-year average, provided he's back to full strength to begin the season.