Chris Young

By now, we all know how Young uses a high fastball to induce pop-ups and lazy flyball contact which is big part of why he’s able to succeed with flyball rates approaching 60 percent. But can he stay this good? It’s really hard to believe he can remain a sub-4.00 ERA pitcher with tiny strikeout rates, below average walk rates, and tons of in-air contact which leaves him with a home-run issue. Bullpens have been a huge asset for him these last two seasons. In 2014, Seattle’s bullpen was tremendous and of course Kansas City’s was excellent again last year en route to a World Series. He left a game mid-inning with at least one runner on eight times last season and just two runners scored. Twice there was a runner left on third with one out and neither of those guys scored. That is some good fortune. Even a return to Kansas City has to yield worse returns as he can’t possibly repeat a .209 BABIP for a full season. Sell.

Young defied skeptics almost all season, getting excellent results despite underlying stats that screamed trouble. But Young didn't take the mound with simply his fingers crossed; he actually had a plan to succeed with only a mid-80s fastball -- pitch up the in zone and use excellent command to hit his spots consistently. That worked for his first 25 outings in which he had a 3.07 ERA, .216 BAA and 7.1 H/9. In his last five outings, though, his low BABIP, low strikeout rate and career-high strand rate seemingly caught up with him as he imploded with an 8.35 ERA, .355 BAA and 13.2 H/9. He did not take the mound after Sept. 20 even though the Mariners were still in the playoff race. Maybe it was all luck or maybe he was actually onto something. Either way, his results were atypical for a pitcher with his stuff, and fantasy owners are better off obeying predictive stats rather than perhaps flukey results.

Young signed a minor league contract with the Nats for a second consecutive year, after missing most of 2013 with a nerve issue in his neck/shoulder that was eventually diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome. The Dodgers' Josh Beckett underwent a similar procedure last season, and both pitchers appear to be healthy heading into camp. Young may have a shot at the Nats' No. 5 starter role, and the right-hander could also be an option as a long man out of the bullpen. His contract includes an opt-out clause if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster, though Young may be willing to accept a minor league assignment. Last year, he chose to opt out of his contract, before rejoining the Nationals due to a lack of interest around the league.

After returning to the rotation June 5, Young was healthy enough to stay there for the rest of the season while delivering useful innings every fifth day despite his extreme flyball tendencies. The Mets are opting to look elsewhere for help in the back of their rotation with a handful of young arms ready to make the leap in 2013, leaving Young on the open market in the offseason. Now that he's seemingly healthy again, Young figures to get a look from a team seeking veteran depth at an affordable price, as it is hard to envision a scenario where he gets a big contract considering that his 115 innings last season were the most he has logged in a big league season since 2007.

Young, who only pitched 20 innings in 2010 because of injuries, signed a one-year deal with the Mets last January. Young made two solid starts and then was shut down with biceps tendinitis for two weeks. He then made two more starts, before getting shut down and ultimately undergoing surgery to repair an anterior capsule tear in his throwing shoulder. This is the same injury Johan Santana is repairing from and there is a good chance that Young won't be able to pitch in 2012. .

Young only pitched 20 innings in 2010 because of, you guessed it, injuries. For those not familiar with Young, here's some insight: he's always injured. The last time he started more than 20 games was 2007, when he posted a 3.12 ERA and 1.098 WHIP. As a result of the injuries his velocity was down considerably in 2010. It's almost impossible to say what Young is capable of at this point, but what we do know is that when he was healthy he pitched much better at home, had marginal control and was always a flyball pitcher who had issues with the long ball. The Padres declined to pick up his option, leaving him free to sign elsewhere. Unless he signs with a team that has a spacious park, he's likely not worth your time.

There was no "good Chris Young" last year, as the Diamondbacks' center fielder tanked and this one walked nearly as many batters as he struck out before shoulder inflammation ended his season. Surgery to shave the labrum was deemed a success, and he's expected to be ready to go in spring training. As an extreme flyball pitcher, his value will plummet if the Padres deal him, as they should, so beware.

Much was expected from Young last year, but a horrific line drive to the face off the bat of MVP Albert Pujols shelved him for a third of the season, and he missed another three weeks in August with a strained right forearm. When healthy, his strikeout rate was below previous levels and his walk rate was a little high as he could never get in a real groove. When healthy, Young has the potential to anchor a fantasy staff, but even with the fluke blow to the face aside, Young's durability must be questioned.

If not for a July 24 oblique strain that landed him on the DL, Young might have bested teammate Jake Peavy for the 2007 NL Cy Young Award. Prior to that date, Young was 9-3 with a league-leading 1.85 ERA. He wasn't the same the rest of the way, finishing with a 9-8 mark and a 3.12 ERA. Young is one of the NL's best pitchers and could be drafted at a discount, given his disappointing finish to the 2007 season. The 28-year-old may be at his physical peak. He strikes out nearly a batter per inning and allows so few hits that his relatively high walk totals don't hurt him very much. Young has the talent to win 20 games and a Cy Young Award, and he's even better on the road than at pitcher-friendly Petco Park.

Young continued his emergence as a front-line starter in 2006 and proved that his success isn’t a creation of a pitcher-friendly home ballpark. He actually fares better on the road, where he’s won 24 straight decisions, one shy of the major league record. Young is not the fastest thrower in the game, but he has good control and deceives batters with his 6'10 frame. He and Jake Peavy will be counted upon to anchor the Padres' rotation again in 2007.

Young complained of arm fatigue around the All-Star break, which contributed to a 10.18 ERA for the month of July, but he should be more durable with a full season under his belt. There's a lot to like given his strikeout rate.

Young managed to turn his threat of pursuing an NBA career into a three-year, $1.5 million contract with Texas. He displayed a nice K/IP ratio at all three stops in 2004, including his brief time in Texas, which bodes well for the future. He has been traded in the past for the likes of Matt Herges and Einar Diaz, which gives an idea of his value. He's expected to be a frontrunner for a rotation spot in 2005.

Young advanced to Double-A in 2003, and his fastball picked up some extra mph. He's rapidly making Pittsburgh look foolish for trading him to get a brief taste of Matt Herges -- if he continues to develop, Young could make his major league debut in the second half.