Brad Ziegler

2013

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2012

It should come as little surprise that the A's were willing to flip Ziegler to the D-Backs during his first season with arbitration eligibility in 2011. Ziegler's ability to induce grounders will likely enable him to remain a viable middle relief option even while pitching half of his games at Chase Field. Still, his flashes of fantasy value in the past came from short-term opportunities to serve as the closer in Oakland, and with David Hernandez entrenched as the No. 2 option for saves should anything happen to J.J. Putz, there's not much to get excited about here for most owners.

2011

Ziegler's continued poor results against lefties (15.1 IP, 19 hits, 5:17 K:BB) make him a poor fit for an expanded role even when injuries open the door, as was the case in the A's bullpen in 2010. He remains effective against righties, but doesn't strike out enough batters to be an effective endgame option given his limitations.

2010

Ziegler battled the flu early in the season, and found himself playing a less and less prominent role in the A's bullpen as the season progressed with the emergence of Andrew Bailey and the effectiveness of Michael Wuertz. Zielger's struggles against lefties (.336 average against, 18 walks and just 14 Ks in 27.1 innings) will prevent him from excelling as a late-inning reliever, particularly given the depth in the A's bullpen.

2009

Ziegler, who set a major-league record for the most scoreless innings to begin a career, ended up with 11 saves and a 1.06 ERA in 47 appearances. Of some concern was his poor 22:30 BB:K rate, and his ability to pitch multiple innings likely places him second behind Joey Devine in a now Huston Street-less A's bullpen. Ziegler could still see the occasional save chance, but the smart money figures to back Devine in spring. Ziegler's lack of Ks takes away some value traditionally held by quality set-up men in deeper leagues.