John Grabow

Grabow pitched poorly through knee problems last year before succumbing to a torn MCL in August. He should be OK for the start of the season, but he's just an average-at-best left-handed middle relief option. With Kerry Wood now in the primary setup role in front of Carlos Marmol, there's little chance that Grabow will pick up more than the occasional save.

The Cubs signed Grabow to a two-year, $7.5 million deal in November, making him their primary left-handed setup man to Carlos Marmol. We're not sure what the Cubs see in him, as his command was spotty at times last year, and he's not missing a lot of bats. Still, if Marmol, who is also prone to command lapses, were to falter, Grabow (along with Angel Guzman) could see some save chances.

Grabow relied on one of the National League's best changeups to compile a 6-3 mark along with four saves and a 2.84 ERA in 2008. Although he wasn't able to lock down the closer's role when Matt Capps got hurt, Grabow is still good at what he does -- serve as an effective set-up man. The lefty set career highs in both games pitched (74) and innings (76). Every season, teams inquire about his availability, but keep in mind that it's doubtful the fifth-year veteran would be put in a position to pick up wins or saves for other clubs. Grabow, who began the 2008 season with 14 scoreless appearances, has put off elbow surgery the last couple years. At some point the problem could come back to bite him.

Grabow might have penned his year as a tale of two seasons in 2007. He struggled with an inflamed elbow in spring training and compiled a 6.15 ERA through July 15. Grabow then lowered his season earned run average to under 4.00 for much of August and September, before finishing with a 4.53 mark. He decided to avoid offseason surgery for loose particles in his pitching elbow, instead resting his arm. Grabow has proven to be a nice situational pitcher but he hasn't been able to take the next step to late-inning closer. There's a good chance he could be dealt to another team at some point, but even then he figures to remain in some sort of set-up role as opposed to closing.

Grabow has an 8-10 career mark with one save for the Pirates in 208 games. In other words, the team has rarely put the 28-year-old lefty reliever in a position to win or lose games -- he featured a 1.07 ERA with the bases empty and a 7.03 ERA with runners on base. Rather, he's mostly been used in a specialty role where he comes in to face one or two batters. Pittsburgh reportedly banded Grabow's name about in trade talks for the Rockies' Ryan Shealy last year and it would not be surprising to see him moved at some point this season. Depending on where he ends up, Grabow could have some sleeper value.

Grabow and Mike Gonzalez provided a decent one-two punch from the left side of the bullpen in 2005. Grabow's performance slid in the season's second half, along with most Pirates pitchers not named Duke or Maholm. Before the All-Star break, Grabow put up a 3.04 ERA. Following the mid-summer classic, Grabow sported a 6.35 ERA to finish the year with an earned run average of 4.85. Grabow throws a low-90s heater with a decent slider, and could move into a closer's role later in his career. For now, though, the 27-year-old lefty will likely remain in a set-up role, limiting his fantasy value.

Grabow struggled for much of the last half of the 2004 season. Opponents hit a robust .323 off the lefty, so despite the heavy workload last season, he is not a lock for tenure and will have to have a strong spring to head north with the Pirates.

After walking everyone in sight in 2001, Grabow overcame control problems last year and posted a combined 6-3 record and a 3.68 ERA in 41 appearances between Altoona and Nashville. The effort was good enough to earn the lefty an invite to the 2003 Olympic Qualifying Team Trials. He may not start the season with the Bucs, but he'll probably be one of the first arms called up when injuries hit.