Scott Downs

2013

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2012

Downs put together one of the best seasons of his career in 2011, finishing 6-3 with a sparkling 1.34 ERA in 53.2 innings. While he is not a big strikeout guy, and has just 17 career saves, his ability to dominate both righties and lefties makes him a valuable left-handed setup man. He'll be among the most valuable of the non-closing relief pitchers, but keep in mind that the 1.34 ERA he delivered last season overshadowed a slip in his average fastball velocity in addition to his second straight season with a reduced strikeout rate.

2011

Downs enjoyed another fine season out of the Toronto bullpen last year before inking a three-year deal with the Angels in the offseason. He's been a solid staff filler in each of the last four years and figures to be in the closer's mix in Anaheim depending on offseason moves.

2010

Downs inherited the closer's role when B.J. Ryan hit the DL in late April and was racking up saves when a foot injury landed him on the DL in mid-June. He returned in early July only to re-injure himself three weeks later, came back in late August and hurt his hamstring in the middle of September. The litany of injuries bloated his final numbers (3.09 ERA, 1.264 WHIP), and Jason Frasor worked his way into the mix for saves with Downs sidelined. Frasor and Downs figure to enter spring with a share of the closing duties so don't expect more than a dozen or so saves unless he grabs the role outright.

2009

Downs posted career bests in ERA (1.78), WHIP (1.15) and saves (5) in 2008 and became the Jays' primary set-up guy with the injury to Jeremy Accardo. He's been very effective in each of the last two years and makes a nice staff filler in deep leagues as a result, but there's not a ton of upside here. The Jays have some holes in their rotation and there have been rumblings that they could try to move Downs back into a starting role, but that's something he hasn't done since 2006.

2008

Downs had a nice year as Toronto's lefty specialist, and may have found his niche after a few years of getting the occasional start, but it's not a skill set that lends itself to a lot of value.

2007

Downs pitched largely in relief despite numerous injuries to the Toronto rotation, which doesn't bode well for his fantasy future. There's nothing here to separate him from any number of long relievers.

2006

Downs moved into the rotation because of injuries to Roy Halladay and Ted Lilly and didn't embarrass himself. Turning the corner from journeyman to decent option at the back of a major league rotation may be too much to ask, however. He'll try to win a rotation spot this spring.

2005

After almost four years in the wilderness due to Tommy John surgery Downs saw his first significant major leagues innings since 2000, getting 12 starts with the Expos. His excellent Triple-A ERA was entirely the product of a Tewksbury-like walk rate; without it, he's in trouble.

2003

The Expos probably can't remember the last time Downs was healthy for more than about a week, but he managed to pitch 23 Triple-A innings in 2002. Missed two years with elbow trouble and Tommy John surgery, so he's got a long way to go yet.