Danny Kolb

Designated for assignment by Pittsburgh in June of 2007. Kolb will compete for a bullpen spot with the Pirates in 2007. His earlier success as Milwaukee's closer continues to look like a fluke. He doesn't strike out enough batters to think he'll ever return to that form.

Kolb's days as a high-profile member of a major league bullpen are in doubt after a poor 2005 season. Atlanta traded a top prospect for Kolb to allow John Smoltz to move to the rotation. Kolb showed his prior success with the Brewers may have been a fluke as his poor strikeout rates finally caught up with him. Kolb quickly lost the closer job in mid-May after blowing three saves, losing four games and posting a 6.28 ERA. He'll try to revive his career in the Milwaukee bullpen after an offseason trade, but his walk rate doubled last season while his strikeouts rose only slightly, so we're not high on his chances. Still, the reunion with pitching coach Mike Maddux could work wonders.

Kolb had an incredible first half of 2004, but tailed off slightly after the all-star break. Kolb was able to save 39 games while only recording 21 strikeouts, mainly because he depended so much on ground balls. He didn't give up a home run until July, and rarely gave up any extra base hits, but at some point the lack of strikeouts may come back to haunt him. He should get even more save opportunites after his trade to Atlanta - if he can keep his hold on the closer job.

The Brewers signed Kolb as a minor league free agent after the Rangers cut him in the spring. He was called up midway through the season and pitched lights-out as a closer. Kolb will be the favorite to close for the Brewers heading into 2004, but this will be his first full season as a closer and his hold on the job will be shaky at best.