David Weathers

Because Weathers did a good job of keeping the ball in the park in 2008, he avoided any major damage to his ERA, but there are some signs that otherwise the wheels are starting to fall off. His walk rate and his BAA both took a big spike up, while his strikeout remained below 6.0 K/9IP. An .810 strand rate indicates he was a little lucky in not having too many of his inherited runners score. He accepted arbitration with the Reds in December, meaning he'll be back for one more season. Don't be surprised if he eventually loses the primary set-up role to Jared Burton.

Ever since Weathers began closing for the Reds, they (and most outside analysts) have been looking for ways to displace him from the role. He doesn't strike out a ton of hitters or counter that by being a groundball pitcher, but he pretty much got the job done last year. Still, he'll be back in a set-up role in 2008 following the signing of Francisco Cordero from the Brewers.

Weathers had bouts of effectiveness last year, tempered by an inability to strike batters out, so he'll never be a completely safe closer. Expect more of the same from the last two years. He'll share the closing duties with Mike Stanton.

A rocky start to the 2005 season made Weathers an unlikely closer later on, but he ended up as the head of the Reds' committee, converting 15 of 19 chances. Barring a late trade, he'll begin 2006 in the same role, but if Ryan Wagner continues to develop as the Reds hope, their roles could swap by midseason.

Weathers made three stops in 2004, pitching reasonably well at only one of them. The clock's ticking, but he's probably still got some middle decent relief life left in him.

Weathers is a solid right-handed setup man who wants the ball in all situations. His WHIP has risen the past three years, along with his BB:IP ratio. Weathers is most effective when he keeps the ball down. He set a career-high with seven saves in 2003, and will reprise his role as the Mets' main righty out of the bullpen with some save opportunities if the Mets don't sign a closer.

When Weathers keeps the ball on the ground, he's a very effective set-up man. Pitching in Shea Stadium helps cover his mistakes as well.