Jon Lieber

Lieber was hit hard for much of 2006 as he struggled through a groin injury in June and swirling trade rumors in July. He stabilized a bit in the last two months, however, and did have his usual good control. Lieber has become increasingly hittable, especially against left-handed hitters. The Phillies were reportedly trying to trade him for bullpen help. Moving out of Citizens Bank Park would probably help his totals, unless of course he went back to the AL.

Lieber had a rollercoaster season in 2005. He started well, with 3.03 ERA in April, but then was hammered for three straight months before pitching beautifully over the last 10 weeks of the year. When all was said and done, he gave the Phillies what they signed him for: innings, good control and wins. He can still handle righties (.229) with his slider, but lefthanders continued to tee off on him, hitting .302 in 2005 after a .346 clip in 2004. Lieber allowed 33 gopher balls on the year, but moving the leftfield fences back a bit will help.

Only the Yankees can grab a guy like Lieber, wait a year for him to recover from Tommy John surgery, then see him emerge as one of their most consistent starters down the stretch, with a solid 3.12 ERA in September. This is the same guy who won 20 games in 2001, and there's no reason to expect him not to win plenty with the Phillies in 2005.

After missing the 2003 season following Tommy John surgery, Lieber is likely fighting for a rotation spot in 2004. He threw the ball hard in his rehab starts at the end of the year and has a great baseball IQ so he'd be a nice mid-to-late round selection should he make the Yanks rotation.

Lieber underwent Tommy John surgery last August and will miss at least half the season and probably more. That's what happens when you pitch 686 2/3 innings over the three previous seasons. After declining a low-ball offer from the Cubs, Lieber is a free agent.