Kyle Lohse

Lohse was a steady presence in the Brewers’ rotation, tossing nearly 200 innings and giving up more than three runs just seven times in his 31 starts. He doesn’t strike out many batters, but he had three of his best four strikeout seasons over the last three years, and has won at least 11 games four years in a row. He is 36 years old but isn’t showing any obvious signs of decline, so he figures to provide similar production in 2015.

The Brewers signed Lohse late in spring training in order to solidify the rotation, and though nearly everyone else in the rotation faltered, Lohse was consistently effective, giving up more than four earned runs in just four of his 32 starts. Lohse gave up a lot of home runs last year -- mostly in bunches -- but he finished with the third best strikeout total of his career, and also tied his career best with a 1.6 BB/9. Lohse has put together three quality seasons in a row, so though he is an underwhelming fantasy option thanks to his low strikeout totals, he should remain one of the better pitchers in the Brewers’ rotation.

Though the Cardinals offered Lohse a nice one-year deal to stay in St. Louis, the 34-year-old right-hander is looking for a multi-year deal in the wake of the best year of his career. It didn't seem like he'd be able to improve on his performance in 2011 with a 5.3 K/9 and .277 BABIP, but the strikeout rate went up, the BABIP stayed about the same and the walk rate and hit rate went down and voila: 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. It's expected that a team is going to give three years to Lohse expecting him to repeat his 2011-2012 run, but it still just doesn't seem sustainable in the long run.

Lohse bounced back from a terrible 2010 to have the best season of his career. His BABIP plummeted and his strand rate moved to a more normal level, but that 1.168 WHIP was still one of the more inexplicable stats of 2011. There are plenty of reasons to think he won't repeat his numbers given his last season's low 5.3 K/9IP and .278 BABIP. Still, he'll be the No. 4 or 5 starter for St. Louis.

Lohse will be the fifth starter for the Cardinals this season unless they find someone better. That shouldn't be too hard, as his 18-start stint gave him an ERA and WHIP that would have torched most fantasy teams. It can't all be blamed on Lohse, however, as a forearm injury kept him out of action for nearly three months and his first several starts after his reinstatement from the DL may have indicated he wasn't ready to pitch. That said, a healthy Lohse doesn't come recommended either.

A surprise 15-game winner in 2008, Lohse never got right last season as forearm and groin injuries sent him to the DL twice. He's a hittable pitcher who rode his excellent walk rate to a career year in 2008, but returned to his normal levels when that walk rate jumped even a tiny bit. Depending on how things shake out this offseason, he could be the third or fourth pitcher in the St. Louis rotation in 2010.

Where did that come from? Lohse was a pleasant surprise for the Cards last year, going 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA, and with a brand-spanking-new four-year contract with a no-trade clause, he should stay in the St. Louis rotation for awhile. Just note that he never had an ERA below 4.18 prior to last season, before you decide to add him to your own rotation.

The Phillies, who went 9-4 in Lohse's 13 appearances, have contacted the right-hander's agent about bringing him back. He's durable and has a live arm in a soft market for starting pitchers, so there's likely to be interest. Lohse went 3-0 in 11 starts, his ERA was a bit high at 4.72, but he was able to get outs when he needed to and he finished the season, (combined Philadelphia and Cincinnati records) at 9-12 with two complete games.

Reds GM Wayne Krivsky should be given a little credit for local knowledge on this one -- Lohse was much better after he came over in a trade for minor league prospect Zach Ward, bumping up his strikeout rate and lowering his hit rate. That said, even the new-and-improved Lohse is still pretty mediocre, a fourth starter at best. Break glass only in the case of emergency with Lohse.

While Lohse rebounded from his ugly 5.68 ERA in 2004, there wasn't much in his 2005 season to build upon. While his K/BB rate improved slightly, his strikeout rates continued to drop and he raised questions about his composure with a late-season tirade in which he hurt his finger while punching a wall. Unless Lohse's strikeout rates return to his 2003 levels, he's not a good bet to return to his early promise.

Everything was ugly about Lohse's 2004 season. His ERA was an eye-popping 5.34. His strikeouts were down and his walks were up from his 2003 breakout season. He had a poor first half and even worse second half to the season. While we think he's enough of a strikeout pitcher to rebound, there really are not too many signs to indicate a turnaround is a sure thing. He'll start the season with a job in the Minnesota rotation. If you see signs he's turned things around, jump to pick him up but don't risk too much.

Lohse should rebound from a mediocre season as he continued to post a solid K:BB ratio, and found his way after a midseason slump. Lohse was having a fine season until an eight game stretch starting in July where he went 0-5 with a 10.95 ERA. Home runs allowed were his problem, with 11 allowed over that stretch. If he can keep the ball in the park, he should be able to repeat his 14 wins with a lower ERA.

Lohse moved into the rotation after the Twins suffered injuries in their starting rotation and had a break-out season. He had a strong second half (3.04 ERA) and is the top candidate for the fifth starter job along with Johan Santana.