Felix Rodriguez

2013

There was no outlook written for Felix Rodriguez.

2006

Rodriguez had been so dominant with the Giants and Phillies that it wasn't asking too much for him to give the Yankees a seventh-inning bridge to Tom Gordon and Mariano Rivera. Suffice it to say, that didn't happen. He spent much of the year on the disabled list, but even when he was on the mound, was very wild and very hittable. Rodriguez should find a set-up job elsewhere in 2006, but the talk about him as a potential closer should be over.

2005

The Phillies picked up Rodriguez for the stretch drive after he blew a few games for the Giants and was less than responsive to coaching. He has been a good set-up man for years and still throws 95 MPH, but his lack of a consistent breaking ball has started to catch up to him. Right-handed hitters have increasingly teed off on him the last two years. Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees for Kenny Lofton over the offseason and will be used to get the game to Tom Gordon and Mariano Rivera.

2004

Rodriguez could be traded this winter, so monitor where he lands as he could turn into a top closer given the right opportunity. Rodriguez has been supplanted in San Francisco by the less-expensive Matt Herges. Sent on his way, he'll be a mid-tier closer, good for 30 saves and a mid-3.00s ERA. He'd more valuable throwing 20 extra innings a season, which is what he did when he was awesome in 2000 and 2001.

2003

With 17 wins in middle relief in the last two seasons (nine in 2001, eight last year), Rodriguez brings as much value to your fantasy team as any non-closer reliever will. In addition, Rodriguez has struck out 8.5 batters per nine innings and delivers 70-80 innings a year – again, great production in terms of strikeouts from a set-up man (1.1 WHIP over the last two years, too). Rodriguez is also helped by the fact that his team's starting staff, so far, doesn't have a lot of guys who will consistently get through the eighth inning (which helps with vulture win opportunities), as well as the fact that he pitches in Pac Bell Park.