Chris Reitsma

Reitsma struggled as Atlanta's closer and then his hand went numb. He had ulnar nerve transposition surgery in July, and he'll need to show he's healthy to win a big league job next year.

Reitsma could win a share of the closer role in Atlanta after spending part of last season with the job. The Braves envisioned Reitsma as the primary set-up man in the bullpen, but he was moved into the closer role once Dan Kolb struggled. He converted 14 of 18 save chances before losing the job to Kyle Farnsworth in August after he blew three of four chances. Reitsma has a strong K/BB ratio (42/14) and allowed just three home runs, so he'll help a fantasy team in any role. Unless Atlanta brings in a veteran closer, expect him to be the head of a committee, but he may ultimately cede the role to Joey Devine and return as the primary set-up man.

Reitsma went from starter to part-time closer with the Reds to the primary set-up man in Atlanta after being traded. While his ERA and WHIP were not terribly impressive, he did post a solid 60/20 K/BB ratio. With his closing experience, he'll be the next in line should Danny Kolb struggle, but this is well known and he won't come cheap.

Moving to the bullpen agreed with Reitsma. The velocity on his fastball increased by 6-7 mph, topping out at 96, the highest he had thrown since being drafted by the Red Sox in 1997. While Reitsma had six blown saves in his 18 opportunities, only three of those came in traditional ninth inning save situations, where he was the closer. Reitsma isn't the closer of the present (Danny Graves is), nor is he the closer of the future (Ryan Wagner is), but we wouldn't be surprised to see him get his share of save opportunities in 2004.

Three reasons to believe that Reitsma's ERA will be well above the 3.64 figure he posted in 2002: 1. A low strikeout rate (5.5 per nine innings pitched in 2002). 2. Bob Boone's inability to pick a starting rotation and stick with it. 3. Reitsma allowed a whopping 17 unearned runs in 2002. If even half of those unearned runs become earned, his ERA shoots up to 4.19.