Joe Borowski

Borowski made the most of the chance the Marlins gave him, seizing the closer's role and setting a career high with 36 saves. He parlayed his best season since 2003 into a tidy pile of free agent cash from the Indians, but chances are good he won't have the same success in Cleveland. Still, he's the leading candidate to open the season as Cleveland's closer, but face a challenge from Keith Foulke and a number of promising arms.

Tampa Bay picked him up in midseason, and he became an instant success in an eighth-inning set-up role for the Rays. Don't bet on a repeat of 2005, however; Borowski's batting average allowed on balls in play with the Rays last year was just .217, and that's bound to rise somewhat this year. Still, after Danys Baez and Chad Orvella, he's next on the Rays' closer-in-waiting list.

Borowski went from Cubs closer to set-up man to the disabled list with a partially torn rotator cuff last season and his status for 2005 is in doubt. The Cubs are in need of a closer, but given Borowski's questionable health, lack of pedigree and struggles a year ago they would do better to opt for someone else. Still, he may get a shot to win the job again this spring if healthy.

Borowski had his second good season in a row as a Cubs reliever in 2003, posting very similar K:BB and K:IP numbers to those he put up during the previous campaign. From a fantasy perspective, there was one tiny little difference, however: he was a CLOSER! As a result, his saves jumped from two to 33, making Borowski one of the best bargains in the auction or one of the best pickups off the free agent wire. Borowski doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he combines good command with enough craftiness to get the job done, and as a result, he has earned the trust of manager Dusty Baker. Borowski should begin the 2004 season as the Cubs' stopper, but as a guy with only slightly above-average stuff and no pedigree whatsoever -- he was in the Mexican League just a few years ago -- he could get bumped to setup duty fairly quickly were he to hit a rough patch. The Cubs' signing of LaTroy Hawkins only makes Borowski's hold on the closer job shakier.

Borowski had a very good season for the Cubs in 2002, posting a 2.73 ERA and a 97/29 K/BB ratio in 95 2/3 IP. Moreover, Borowski allowed a very stingy 84 hits. Keep in mind, however, that middle relievers are notoriously unreliable year-to-year, and that this was far and away the best season of Borowski's career.