Sam Demel

Demel fell apart in 2011, spending two months on the DL with shoulder tendinitis and leaving questions as to whether he was healthy during his time on the mound. In addition to losing three ticks on his fastball, Demel's control disappeared and he wasn't a part of the team's postseason roster in October. Assuming that he's healthy when spring training begins, he'll try to pick up the pieces and nail down a bullpen spot this spring.

The D-Backs managed to turn Conor Jackson into Demel, which in itself should make Rumpelstiltskin proud. Given the team's instability around the ninth inning, Demel was immediately on the radar as a potential closer, but he only managed to collect two saves last season after being called up in June. At 25, Demel appears to have moved beyond the control issues that plagued him at earlier minor league stops. In addition to a 92-94 mph sinking fastball, Demel has developed a cutter that also leads to plenty of groundball outs. His future chances to step into the closer role will hinge entirely on the other personnel at his manager's disposal, but keep in mind that Demel already has Juan Gutierrez to contend with for that opportunity and a free agent or two could join the fray before the start of the season as well.