Bobby Jenks

2013

There was no outlook written for Bobby Jenks.

2012

Jenks' first season with Boston was notable for his injuries. He suffered from biceps tendonitis in May before having his back act up in June and later again in July. That was it for Jenks. He's now facing off-season back surgery as well as problems with a pulmonary embolism. There's obviously questions of health entering 2012, the first time in six years Boston will not have Jonathan Papelbon as their closer. In another world, a healthy Jenks, who has closer experience, could have had a shot at closing some games. Now that the Red Sox have traded for Andrew Bailey and Mark Melancon, the chances for Jenks picking up saves even when healthy are pretty remote.

2011

Jenks struck out more than 10.0 per nine for the first time since 2006 last season. However, he only made it into a career-low 27 games thanks to calf, back and forearm injuries. He also issued a career-worst 3.1 BB/9IP and was removed from the closer role a couple of times during the season. The emergence of other options in the White Sox's late-inning game plan rendered Jenks extraneous, and the club non-tendered him in the offseason, but he landed a two-year deal with the Red Sox where he'll likely transition the ninth-inning job from Jonathan Papelbon to Dan Bard.

2010

Jenks regressed for the second straight season in 2009, failing to pick up 30 saves for the first time since taking over the closer's role full time in 2006, and his 53.1 innings were also a low. His 125 ERA+ was down from 174 in 2008. A trio of non-chronic injuries (back, kidney stones, calf) were to blame for the lower innings total, and he did recover his K/9IP rate from its 2008 abyss (5.5 in 2008 to 8.3 in 2009). Nothing appears to be too different about his pitches, but he did go to his fastball more often than in the past. Jenks will be back in Chicago in 2010 as the closer, but he could be dealt at some point during the season.

2009

So, Jenks is still effective, but it's because he doesn't walk guys or give up home runs. His strikeout rate is in free fall, and with that being the best predictor of pitcher performance, the Sox's willingness to move the big righty seems downright prescient. Of the top tier of AL closers, this is the one to avoid.

2008

Shoulder tightness early in the spring likely had him plumetting down most draft boards but Jenks put all those worries to rest with a fantastic season. He did lose some velocity as evidenced by a substantial drop in his strikeout totals but posted a career-best 0.89 WHIP thanks in large part to a streak where he retired 41 straight batters, tying the major league record. He rewarded his fantasy owners with another 40-save season and has a stranglehold on the closer role in Chicago as long as he's healthy.

2007

Jenks dominated in the first half of the season, with 26 saves and 49 strikeouts in 41 innings, but faltered after the break. He finished second in the American League in saves with 41 and third in the league in games finished at 58, which may point to a bit of overwork. His troubles in the second half may also have something to do with a return of his minor league wildness, to the tune of 18 walks in 28 innings. (He walked six per nine innings in the minors but has been much better since joining the White Sox.) He'll be in the closer role again in 2007, but Ozzie Guillen won't be afraid to try others if the second-half Jenks rears his ugly head.

2006

Jenks' trajectory from Angels cast-off to championship closer should demonstrate once and for all the folly of overpaying for saves, either in real life or in fantasy ball. Just in case you're still tempted to say '$30' when his name gets called at your auction, just remember the fate of previous White Sox closers Shingo Takatsu, Billy Koch and Keith Foulke. Jenks could go on to have a brilliant career of course - he's certainly got the arsenal to be successful - but on this team more than any other, he'll get only enough 9th inning rope to hang himself if he hits a rough patch.

2005

Jenks underwent surgery on his right elbow in July that was expected to sideline him through the end of 2005. The latest reports say he may be ready for spring training, but temper expectations. This is the same type of injury that has limited him three times over the last two seasons. His fastball has been clocked at over 100 mph, so he could be good if he could ever stay healthy.

2004

Jenks threw very well at Double-A Arkansas, and will vie for a job at Triple-A next year. His upside is enormous but the walk totals may make him better suited to be a late-inning reliever.

2003

Tabbed as possibly the next Francisco Rodriguez by RotoWire minor-league baseball writer Tony Blengino. Fastball can reach 100 MPH. This season, though, he holds no fantasy potential.