Joel Peralta

Former manager Joe Maddon used Peralta so frequently, it is surprising he didn’t call upon the right-hander to help move him to Chicago this winter. Peralta fell one short of appearing in 70 or more games for a fourth consecutive season, but the skills continue to hold up. He struck out 28 percent of the batters he faced and walked just 6 percent. As a flyball pitcher, he is susceptible to the occasional home run and did permit nine of them on the season. His opponents' batting average rose 60 points last season as his BABIP spiked another 81 point thanks mostly to some defensive struggles behind him. He is unlikely to pick up saves during the season, and even more so following a November trade to the Dodgers, but Peralta should still see work in high-leverage situations and help with strikeouts in leagues that value middle relievers.

Peralta returned to his eighth-inning role setting up for closer Fernando Rodney and was equally as durable as he has been the last three seasons in Tampa Bay. He led the league by appearing in 80 games for the Rays and had 41 holds in his role. He held a 3.41 ERA over 71.1 innings but nearly doubled his walk rate and went 3-8 on the year. Peralta is a dependable option as a setup man and could be the next in line to close with Rodney leaving the team via free agency. He will be 38 entering the 2014 season, so he likely only will be in the fold for a few more seasons.

Injuries to the Rays bullpen put Peralta in a setup role last season. His ERA rose to 3.63 from 2.93 in 2011, but he pitched in a career-high 76 games, logging 37 holds. He will be 37 in 2013, but still throws an effective splitter that opponents only hit .162 against. He signed a two-year deal in the offseason and will likely return to the same setup role for the Rays. His value will be limited in fantasy, but being the setup man could mean that he would be next in line to close should that opportunity open during the season.

Peralta became something of a 2011 version of Joaquin Benoit, assuming the role of the setup guy for Kyle Farnsworth. Peralta finished the season with a sparkling 2.93 ERA with 19 holds and six saves. Peralta looked comfortable in the closer's role down the stretch when Farnsworth was a little banged up, giving the Rays another option in the ninth inning, if needed. There's no reason to think Peralta can't replicate his 2011 season while resuming setup duties, giving him fantasy value for those in leagues that count holds.

After ditching his slider in 2009 and sticking with his split-finger and changeup as breaking pitches, Peralta finally put together a major league season to match his Triple-A numbers. His rocky track record made the Nationals unwilling to go to arbitration with him, but he landed with the Rays and fits their mold as a low-risk/high-reward bullpen asset.

Peralta struggled a bit in 2008, and bounced between the majors and Triple-A Omaha. He continued to have a decent strikeout rate in the majors; striking out 38 in 52.2 innings while walking just 14, but also allowing 15 home runs. He should fight for a middle-relief role during spring training.

Peralta was a versatile middle reliever for the Royals in 2007, coming in middle and late innings and pitching in a variety of circumstances. He pitched a career-high 87.2 innings in that role, striking out (66) nearly three times as many he walked (19). He also solved his issues against left-handed batters, who had historically hit him well. He’ll throw in a similar role in 2007 but won’t be in the closing mix.

Peralta is stingy about walks, but an alarming number of hits, many leaving the yard, is keeping him from real success for the Royals. Twice, Peralta found himself in Triple-A Omaha after rough stretches. But the Royals didn't leave him down long because he throws strikes. That's what will keep him in the running for major league roster space.

A testament to how strong the Angels bullpen is, Peralta was let go after compiling a 3.89 ERA and striking out nearly a man per inning. He allowed an abnormally high amount of home runs, but that is correctable. Expect Peralta to join the Royals bullpen in 2006.