Frank Francisco

Francisco parlayed a strong 2011 second half into a two-year, $12 million contract with the Mets. He was unable to carry that finish into 2012, as in almost every metric, he regressed from the year before. Francisco's poor control, seen in his 21 walks in 42.1 innings - led to too many hitters counts, which they took advantage of batting .269 against him. The only two positives are his abnormally high .367 BABIP and 4.00 FIP could portend slightly better success. Francisco missed a month in the middle of the season with a strained oblique, then had elbow tendinitis and knee woes at the end of the year, but he is expected to be healthy for spring training and open 2013 as the Mets' closer.

Francisco got a late start when his seemingly annual chest/pectoral/shoulder soreness cropped up again in spring training before he entered the mix at closer in May, at which point he and Jon Rauch took turns at the helm with varying degrees of success. Francisco racked up 17 saves by season's end despite some shaky outings and his 3.55 ERA and 1.322 WHIP were certainly below average for most closers. His strikeout rate has dropped in each of the last four seasons (11.8 K/9IP down to 9.4) and he's always been a bit homer-prone (1.2 HR/9IP in 2011) for a closer. He inked a free agent deal with the Mets which should do wonders for his homer tendencies and he figures to start the season with the inside track on the closer spot.

Francisco ceded the closers' role, and most of his rotisserie value along with it, after a few poor appearances in early April. His injury-related absence in late August left a huge void in the Texas bullpen, a void on display for all to see during the Rangers' run to the World Series. He was dominant at times when healthy, and he'll be the closer in 2011 again if Neftali Feliz transitions back into the rotation after accepting Texas' arbitration offer. Those with early spring drafts will want to keep him in mind.

Francisco battled shoulder problems for much of June, forcing him to the DL for a period and keeping him out of save opportunities outside of one appearance. He struggled after his return, posting a 5.82 ERA after the All-Star break. His peripherals remained relatively strong however (21.2 innings, two hits, 25:7 K:BB), which included a nice string late in the year (11.2 innings, two runs, six hits, 12:4 K:BB). The bulk of the damage in the second half came in one appearance (0.2 innings, seven hits, six runs allowed), and he was back pitching without restrictions the final six weeks of the season. There's little reason to think he can't improve on his first full season as Texas' closer.

Francisco took over as Texas' closer with C.J. Wilson's struggles and the trade of Eddie Guardado, racking up four saves in his first four chances before Texas' collective struggles led to just one save after Sept. 3. His control, which had been slow to return following arm injuries the past few years, improved and his post-break numbers (2.45 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 38 strikeouts in 25.2 innings) were solid. He'll likely enter spring training as the closer unless Texas brings in another option via free agency. Wilson's peripherals don't provide much of a threat despite a decent save total, so expect Francisco to emerge as the full-time closer failing an outside option being brought in.

Francisco struggled with his control after essentially losing two full seasons due to Tommy John surgery and repeated short comeback attempts. His numbers after the All-Star break (26 innings, 29 hits, 27:23 K:BB ratio) weren't good either, so there's considerable doubt now if he can recapture his rookie season excellence. His strikeout potential gives him some hidden value as a staff filler if he can harness his control.

Francisco spent the bulk of 2006 recovering from multiple setbacks from Tommy John surgery that also cost him the 2005 season. Limited to just eight appearances, one has to go back to 2004 to see any meaningful innings from Francisco where he posted a solid 60 strikeouts in 51.1 innings. A healthy Francisco makes for a nice staff filler in 5x5 A.L.-only leagues.

Francisco's spring elbow soreness led to Tommy John surgery in late April. Watch his health reports this spring - he should be back contributing to the Texas bullpen in short order.

Francisco posted an excellent season in late relief for Texas. He still faces a misdemeanor charge for his chair-throwing incident in Oakland, but makes a nice staff filler in AL-only leagues given his solid K/IP rate.