John Axford

Ah, the multiple phases of Axford. Phase 1 was a guy that came out of nowhere to be an effective closer. Phase 2 was a guy that became hittable and couldn’t keep the ball in the yard because he was tipping his pitches and wasn’t told until he was traded to the Cardinals. Phase 3 Axford has become a guy who isn’t as hittable as the Phase 2 guy, but is regressing in terms of commanding his pitches. Coors Field's expansive outfield did not help his BABIP in 2015 (career-high .342), but he still fell into 25 saves once LaTroy Hawkins and Adam Ottavino got out of the way. In order to clear a 40-man spot for a prospect ahead of the Rule 5 draft, the Rockies designated Axford assignment in November, with the right-hander ultimately landing in Oakland on a two-year deal. He will likely be third in the pecking order for saves, but both of the players ahead of Axford (Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson) have had their share of injury issues.

Axford compiled a 3.95 ERA and 1.45 WHIP split between the Indians (43.2 innings) and the Pirates (11 innings) in 2014. The velocity (94.7 mph fastball avg) remains for the right-hander, but he's now pitched for four different organizations in the last two seasons. His stock has also dropped from a one-time closer to a seventh-inning reliever. While it's possible that his experience and an improved groundball rate (53.6%) could land him a late-inning role, there are better potential closers to speculate upon -- Axford has blown 10 of his last 20 save opportunities since 2013.

After the Cardinals acquired him in an August trade with the Brewers, Axford finished the final month of the season strong, posting a 1.74 ERA and an 11:3 K:BB ratio over his final 10.1 innings. A slow start to the season included a bad case of gopheritis, but he seemed to figure out some of his issues with the long ball after a dismal April. Keep in mind, however, that the 9.0 K/9 he delivered in 2013 was the lowest mark of his big league career, so the peripherals do not portend a full rebound. Axford is on track to open the season as the Indians' closer after signing a one-year deal with Cleveland in December.

Axford was in-and-out as the closer last season thanks to nine blown saves, but he will enter 2013 with the job after converting 13-of-14 save opportunities in the final month. Axford was anything but consistent last season, but he still managed to rack up 35 saves and strike out 93 batters in just 69.1 innings. His question marks will bump him down the cheat sheet, but he will have a little more leash this season in an inexperienced Brewers bullpen and could be a nice value thanks to his strikeout rate.

Axford quietly had one of the better seasons from a reliever during 2011. He saved 46 games, struck out 86 in 73.2 innings and only had two blown saves. The main reason for his improvement was a significant drop in his walk rate. His strikeout rate dipped a bit as well, which may be a cause for concern, but he's cemented as Milwaukee's closer and should provide a decent return on your investment.

Axford was given a chance to close last May and never looked back. He finished with 24 saves, a 2.48 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 58 innings. He enters 2011 entrenched as the closer for the Brewers and would need to falter multiple times before being removed. The only concern with Axford is his control, which was 4.19 BB/9IP last season. That's something that could come back to bite him if his strikeout rate decreases.

Axford made his major league debut as a right-handed reliever in 2009 with the Brewers. While he can get a fair number of strikeouts, he also gives up his fair share of walks as well. He'll get a shot at a bullpen role this spring, but it's more realistic that he'll begin the season at Triple-A Nashville.