Joey Devine

Devine's return from Tommy John surgery is two years in the making now, as he remained sidelined with a slower-than-expected rehab from surgery back in early 2009. He was effective when last healthy back in 2008, but there's simply no telling what kind of pitcher will emerge following a two-year absence assuming he get back to being healthy at some point. The A's have accrued plenty of options in the bullpen since Devine last pitched, making even a speculative $1 endgame option somewhat of a reach.

Devine entered the season as the A's co-closer with Brad Zeigler, but early spring elbow soreness turned into season-ending Tommy John surgery before he even threw a meaningful pitch. Andrew Bailey's emergence as the A's closer in 2009 clouds Devine's role once he returns to health. He's expected to be ready for spring training, but will likely have to settle on being one of the A's primary setup men. Anything resembling his 2008 campaign will still have a lot of value in deeper leagues, even without any saves.

Hidden in the A's bullpen by Brad Ziegler's success, Devine's excellent season went virtually unnoticed. Coming back from an early-season elbow injury, Devine allowed just 15 baserunners in his final 23.2 innings. He was mentioned as a closer candidate late in the season, and Huston Street's departure throws the door wide open. He'll emerge as the closer come spring training, particularly with Ziegler's ability to pitch multiple innings. Don't let him go through the auction cheap.

Devine rebounded from a back injury last season and posted dominating numbers in the minors, making him a candidate to win a set-up role and become a closer in waiting for 2008. The 2005 first-round draft pick was once thought of as the closer of the future for the Braves, but struggled in the majors and then was sidelined with a degenerative disc in his back in 2006. Devine proved he was healthy again by posting a 1.89 ERA and 78:19 K:BB ratio in 57 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He'll have to win a spot in the bullpen this spring, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he emerged as Huston Street's top set-up man after being traded to Oakland.

Devine's status as the closer of the future for the Braves is in doubt after a tumultuous season that saw him struggle in the majors and then struggle with a degenerative disc in his back. The 27th overall pick in the 2005 draft was moved up quickly to the majors with the idea that he was a college closer who could have instant success in the majors. He struggled initially with the Braves in 2005 but was included in the playoff roster. But in 2006 he struggled in spring training and later had his season almost shelved due to back problems. He did come back to throw 5 1/3 scoreless innings in September and looked healthy, if not dominant, in the AFL. He was thought to be the closer of the future, but won't win the job next season with Bob Wickman re-signed. Still, he could win a job next spring as a key set-up man and closer in waiting. Given his strong strikeout totals in the minors and in college, he still has a lot of potential if his back isn't an issue.

Devine is the latest example of a trend that has seen top college closers advance quickly through the minors. He was taken with the 27th overall pick in the 2005 draft and quickly moved up three minor league levels before landing in Atlanta in August, posting a 35/15 K/BB ratio over 25 innings between High-A and Double-A. Devine struggled in the majors, however, giving up a grand slam in his major league debut. Still, the Atlanta coaching staff raved about his stuff and he made the postseason roster. If John Smoltz isn't moved back to closer, Devine could win the job as early as spring 2006. Given his strong strikeout totals in the minors and in college (72/10 K/BB ratio in 48 2/3 innings for North Carolina State his last season), he looks like a good bet to succeed in the majors.