Todd Coffey

Coffey pitched well in 2011 bullpen appearing in 59 games with a FIP of 3.41 and an xFIP of 4.06 for the Nationals. He generates an above average amount of swinging strikes (9.2 percent in 2011) because of a good slider and a fastball that averaged 93.1 mph. Coffey will feature a show-me change/split, but a lack of a third pitch makes him vulnerable against left-handed hitters (5.21 xFIP in 2011). He possesses average command of his fastball and slider, and he should put up an ERA just below 4.00 as long as he is not featured heavily against left-handed hitters in 2012.

Coffey injured his thumb in May, missed a month and never returned to his 2009 form. His walk rate and home-run rate increased in 2010 and he also suffered from a little bit of bad luck. The Brewers declined to offer him arbitration and he's a free agent this winter. He'll likely find a team willing to give him a bullpen role and see if he can return to his pre-2010 form.

Coffey was a bright spot for the Brewers' bullpen in 2009, with a 7.0 K/9IP and a 2.90 ERA. He wore down late in the season and ended up making 78 appearances, seventh most in the National League. He'll return to the Milwaukee bullpen in 2010 in a setup role for Trevor Hoffman.

Coffey was released by the Reds after posting a 6.05 ERA in 17 appearances in 2008. The Brewers picked him up in September and he provided them with 7.1 scoreless innings down the stretch. Despite his late season success, don't expect it to continue into 2009.

No pitcher better represents the Reds' shortcomings last year than Coffey. He went from being a trendy closer-in-waiting prospect to a mop-up guy in the course of a couple of months, giving up a soul-crushing 12 homers in 51 innings. The team spent all season trying to fill the set-up void left by Coffey's failure. It'll take a lot, perhaps even a change of organization, before he's entrusted with an eighth-inning lead again.

Coffey filled multiple roles in the Reds bullpen, but seemed somewhat uncomfortable closing. While his overall numbers are good, and he showed improvement across the statistical board, Coffey's month-to-month splits tell a different story. After pitching 30 innings in April and May, Coffey had three consecutive months with an ERA over 5.00, only stabilizing again in September, when it was a case of too little too late. With Mike Stanton aboard and David Weathers back, Coffey won't be asked to close very often, if at all, in 2007.

The Reds hope that Coffey can work his way into the saves picture in 2006, but his low strikeout numbers and high hit-rate in 2005 indicate that he won't be terribly successful in that role.

Coffey, who was drafted in the 41st round in 1998, rose from low Single-A Dayton in 2003 all the way to Triple-A Louisville in 2004, having shed 40 pounds and added miles per hour on his fastball. He now throws a 95 mph fastball to go along with a sharp, biting slider. The Reds intend to overhaul their bullpen over the offseason and Coffey could end up winning a spot as a result.