J.C. Romero

Romero began last season with a 50-game suspension for using a banned supplement. He returned to action for a short time before developing tendinitis in his left elbow that eventually cost him the rest of his season. Romero had surgery in October to repair a torn tendon near his left elbow and hopes to be ready around spring training. He'll be the Phillies' primary lefty out of the bullpen if he is healthy this spring and could see a few save opportunities if Brad Lidge struggles again.

Romero finished the 2008 season going 4-4 with a 2.75 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 52 strikeouts in 59 innings of relief.  He’s cemented himself as one of the game's premier non-closing relievers in his nearly two seasons with Philadelphia and should continue to excel in the Phillies' bullpen in 2009, often being used as the set-up man for Brad Lidge. If Lidge happens to ever get hurt, which has happened earlier in his career, Romero would probably be the early favorite to fill the closer's role. However, his fantasy value will take a hit due to a 50-game suspension to start the season for using a banned supplement.

The Phillies agreed to terms with Romero on a three-year, $12 million contract with a club option for 2011. He can make $16.75 million over the four years. Romero became an off-season priority after he became a key piece of the Phillies' second-half surge to the National League East pennant. He went 1-2 with a 1.24 ERA in 51 appearances for the Phillies. In 15.2 innings in September, he did not allow a single run - during which there were stretches where he was pitching just about every day. Romero has traditionally been one of the game's most inconsistent relievers, yet he's getting paid as though he'll be a top lefty setup men for each of the next three years. Of course, Pat Gillick plans to retire after next season, so if the deal goes bad, it'll be someone else's problem.

He had a couple of years in which he struck people out and was pretty underused in the specialist role. Now he's incapable of getting a right-handed batter out. The Red Sox picked him up to be a one-batter guy. He'll have minimal fantasy value in that role.

Romero was traded to the Angels in the offseason for a mid-level prospect after the Twins decided he wasn't worth the large raise he was due in arbitration. Romero didn't pitch as well as his 3.47 ERA last year would suggest. He had just a 48/39 K/BB ratio in 57 innings, allowed a .360 opponents OBP, hit six batters and allowed 19 of 42 inherited runners to score. He was tough on left-handed pitching (.562 OPS vs. left-handed batters), so he'll be used in a lefty set-up role with the Angels. Scouts love his mid-90s heat, but he's been very inconsistent. He had a number of issues with Twins management last season about his usage, so a change of scenery may do him well.

Romero is a very streaky left-handed set-up man. In 2004 he got off to a poor start and was demoted to the minors after posting a 5.71 ERA through June. After he was called up again he set a Minnesota record with 36 scoreless innings. After that streak ended he gave up 10 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings in late September. Also troubling was that he had worse numbers against left-handed hitters than right-handed batters. When Romero's sinker is working, he's a strong set-up man who can post decent win totals. He's a risky play in 2005, but you may be able to activate him on your roster when he's hot.

Romero struggled with his control last season and wasn't given as many chances for wins and saves as a result. Part of the problem may have been that he lost confidence in his sinker, which limited his effectiveness against right-handed hitters (they had a .924 OPS against him). If he keeps his walk totals down early in the season, he could be in line for a rebound. However, there are better options in the Twins bullpen for fantasy owners at this point.

After struggling to find a role with the Twins, Romero got hot in spring training as a left-handed setup man and never looked back. He soon became one of the most dominant setup men in baseball. The Twins primarily use him against left-handers, but his was equally good against right-handers (.211 BA allowed vs. righties/.216 vs. lefties). As a result later in the season he was used frequently for more than one inning. He'll be the primary setup man for the Twins, post strong WHIP and ERA numbers and could get saves if Eddie Guardardo falters.