Salomon Torres

2013

There was no outlook written for Salomon Torres.

2008

If only Torres' season could have ended in May. At that stage of the season, Torres was the closer on the Pirates and led the team with 12 saves in 17 opportunities. He posted a 3.00 ERA in May. Still, Matt Capps took over the closer reigns at the beginning of June and Torres constantly sulked thereafter. He accused the organization of reneging on a deal to support his baseball camp in Latin America and then demanded a trade. Through it all, Torres' on-field performance suffered, whenever he was healthy. For the season, Torres struggled his way to a 5.47 ERA and 1.424 WHIP. At 36, Torres could still pick up a few odds saves but will likely return to his role as a set-up man, where he's enjoyed most of his success.

2007

It's not uncommon for pitchers to get better in their 20s but Torres is getting better in his 30s. Not only that, but the more the rubber-armed righty pitches, the better he gets. Never a fantasy factor before 2006, Torres got an opportunity to close in September and shined. He converted 11 of 12 save opportunities from Sept. 2 through year's end. Overall, he hurled in an MLB-high 94 games, posting a 3.28 ERA in 93.1 innings. At 35, power pitchers should be slowing down. Torres has found his groove over the last three years and could be fantasy relevant as the Bucs' stopper. Pay close attention to the Pirates' pen during spring training.

2006

Torres, who suffered from neck soreness throughout the first half of 2005, finished with a flourish to stake a claim in the closer's mix for 2006. Overall he went 5-5 in 78 innings with a 2.76 ERA and three saves. Opponents batted only .222 against him. In his final 31 appearances, Torres gave up just two runs (both earned) in 38 2/3 innings while striking out 33 and allowing 18 hits. Although he's never been able to maintain that kind of success for an entire season, he remains one of the team's two right-handed late-inning options (with Roberto Hernandez being the other). Only Mike Gonzalez has a better shot for more saves among the current crop of Pittsburgh relievers.

2005

In Torres' first full season as a reliever, he went 7-7 with a 2.64 ERA in team-high 84 appearances. He ranked third in the National League in games pitched (84) and ranked fourth among relievers in innings pitched (92). If your league is deep enough that you are forced to deploy set-up men, there are worse options than Torres, who could also close for the Pirates in a pinch.

2004

Torres finished the season in the starting rotation but is better suited to be a reliever. He could even get a crack at saving some games this year. His role this season hinges on the readiness of some of the organization's younger arms. Chances are, he'll spend the fantasy season being picked up for $1, getting dropped, picked up again, dropped…you get the picture.

2003

The feel-good hit of the fall was Torres’ return to the majors after a five-year hiatus. His ERA in five starts was 2.70, although his feeble strikeout rate is a bit more telling (3.6 per nine). Any attempt to extend the show’s run past tax day is likely to end in failure.