Mike Gonzalez

The veteran lefty churned out a season at the upper end of his normal range as a low-leverage reliever with the Nationals, but he will be hard-pressed to repeat it much less find his way into a more fantasy-friendly role. Dwindling velocity on both his fastball and slider are bright red warning signs, and batters swung at a lower percentage of his pitches than ever before. The Brewers signed him to a one-year deal in December, where Gonzalez provides a second option from the left side along with fellow offseason addition Tom Gorzelanny.

Gonzalez enters the offseason as a free agent, though Texas has expressed some initial interest in bringing him back after he provided some solid late-inning relief after a trade from Baltimore (21:6 K:BB in 22 innings after the All-Star break). He's unlikely to return to his former role as a closer regardless of where he signs, so his sole value will come as a decent staff-filling option for those in deeper leagues that reward strikeouts.

A shoulder injury sidelined Gonzalez for most of the 2010 season and he was unable to regain the closer's role when he finally made it back. His walk rate ballooned to 5.1 BB/9IP last season, which had a significant role in his disappointing campaign. With Kevin Gregg signed in free agency and Koji Uehara back in the picture, Gonzalez appears to be third in line for save opportunities. He'll enter his second campaign in Baltimore as an expensive left-handed setup man barring some unforeseen changes during spring training.

In his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, Gonzalez became the dominant reliever he was before the injury. He struck out over a batter per inning with good control and showed mid-90s velocity similar to before his injury. He recorded just 10 saves as he initially split closing duties with Rafael Soriano and then was later used more in a set-up role. He'll get his shot to be a regular closer again after signing a two-year deal with Baltimore. He's got the stuff to be a top closer, but his effectiveness against lefties is always a risk to get him pigeonholed into a setup role.

Gonzalez returned from Tommy John surgery in June and took over the closer's job while Rafael Soriano struggled with an elbow injury. He had a quick return to form less than a year after surgery with an outstanding strikeout rate (11.76 K/9IP) and surprising control. He did give up too many home runs, but he still looked like the dominant reliever that he was before the surgery. He enters 2009 likely to open the season as the closer, but Soriano could split the role with Gonzalez if he's able to stay healthy.

Gonzalez underwent Tommy John surgery in June and could be back by midseason if all goes well. When healthy he features a mid-90's fastball with a biting slider and would be the primary set-up man for Rafael Soriano and top closer in waiting should he falter. However, it may be too much to ask him to make a significant impact in 2008 and he may not offer much fantasy value until 2009.

Gonzalez excelled in his first season as Pittsburgh's closer in 2006. However, he'll work in a set-up role after being traded to the Braves this offseason. The 28-year-old lefthander went 24-for-24 in save opportunities and gave the Pirates a reliable stopper in the pen. Gonzo mixes a mid-90s fastball with a biting slider to keep batters at bay. He battles himself on the mound occasionally, working deep in counts rather than mowing down opponents. He walked 31 batters in 54 innings, a number that needs to be reduced. He didn't pitch after Aug. 24 because of elbow tendinitis. Watch his progress at spring training to make sure he's 100 percent.

Gonzalez battled a sprained left knee injury for much of the 2005 season. As a result, he wasn't nearly as effective as he was in 2004, when he fashioned a 1.25 ERA and struck out 55 batters in 43 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old lefty still finished with a respectable 2.70 ERA, but his WHIP jumped from 0.95 to 1.32. Former manager Lloyd McClendon stuck with veteran Jose Mesa as his lone stopper for much of the year, limiting Gonzo's progress as a closer. He still saved three games, however, and enters the season as part of a closer-by-committee along with Salomon Torres, Damaso Marte and Roberto Hernandez. Gonzalez is likely to save more games than any other Pirates reliever in 2006.

The feisty Gonzalez, who can bring it in at 95 MPH, has electric stuff and could be groomed as a closer by the Pirates. In 47 appearances in 2004, the lefty was 3-1 with a sparkling ERA of 1.25 with 55 strikeouts and six walks in 43.1 innings. What’s scary is that with some refinements he could get even better. Those in keeper leagues might want to keep Gonzalez on their radar because Jose Mesa is no spring chicken and if the Bucs fall out of contention, Gonzalez could be a fire sale away from closing.

The lefthander can bring it in the mid-90s and has a decent breaking ball, but the knock on him, like so many other pitchers on the bubble, is his lack of command. Improvement in that aspect of his repertoire could land him a job in Pittsburgh this season, where it wouldn't be hard to top the performances turned in last year by Bucs' southpaws.