Javier Lopez

Even at age 38, Lopez proved to be an integral part of the Giants' bullpen last season. Used almost exclusively against lefties, he finished with a 1.60 ERA in 39.1 innings, holding southpaws to a .112 batting average. His low third-quarters release and sweeping slider allow him to continue to baffle lefties despite not having much velocity on his fastball (84.5 mph). From a fantasy perspective, he doesn't throw enough innings to make enough of an impact on pitching ratios, but the fact that he is a LOOGY who is used in high-pressure situations can lead to a decent amount of holds. Manager Bruce Bochy hasn't shied away from using Lopez in emergency save situations, but he would likely go with a reliever who can pitch to both righties and lefties if anything serious happened to current closer Santiago Casilla.

Lopez continued to serve as a lefty specialist out of the Giants' bullpen, but his regression against righties and even a reduced strikeout rate against lefties (17.7 K%) chipped away at his overall value. His 5.3 K/9 last season was his lowest mark since joining the Giants in 2010, and his walk rate took a huge step in the wrong direction (4.5 BB/9). The Giants still owe Lopez $9 million through 2016 after signing him to an extension last winter, and at 37, it's reasonable to wonder if he's in danger of losing his roster spot prior to the completion of the deal. It seems unlikely that the Giants will pull the plug in 2015, however, as the sample sizes for Lopez are small enough that he could rebound in a big way simply by cutting the free passes this season.

The Giants re-signed Lopez to a three-year contract this offseason after the 36-year-old put up career numbers in 2012. He finished the season a 1.83 ERA and a career-best 8.5 K/9. It seems a bit odd that a player of his age would actually be improving, but it is a direct result of manager Bruce Bochy using Lopez primarily against left-handed batters, who he held to a .152 average all season. Expect Lopez to be used in a similar way again in 2014, opening up the possibility of a matchup-based save or two over the course of the year.

Lopez appeared in 70 games for the Giants as the primary LOOGY out of the bullpen for most of the season. Manager Bruce Bochy used the veteran left-hander in a more specialized role, as Lopez only amassed 36 innings in 2012 compared to 53 innings in the same amount of appearances in 2011. A higher BABIP against right-handed batters (.471) was the cause for his increased hit totals, but a career-best 7.0 K/9 and an improved walk rate (3.5 BB/9) indicate his overall strength in the role. Still under contract for 2013, he should produce another similar line as his groundball rate (59.6 percent) is still very strong.

Lopez posted a 2.72 ERA last year despite a poor 40:26 K:BB ratio, as he didn't allow a single homer over 53.0 innings. In fact, he allowed just one extra-base hit over 104 plate appearances against left-handers. Lopez will remain a big part of the Giants' middle-relief crew in 2012 after signing a two-year, $8.5 million extension with San Francisco in October.

After pitching just mediocre for Pittsburgh, Lopez was dominant after a trade to San Francisco, posting a 22:2 K:BB ratio over 24.2 innings, including the postseason, when he became an integral part of the Giants bullpen. Lopez won't rack up the innings because he's a quintessential LOOGY, and he'll continue that role in San Francisco in 2011.

Lopez struggled in 2009 with a 9.26 ERA in just 11.2 innings in Boston, but served as an effective lefty set-up man for the Red Sox in 2008. He saved 16 games at Triple-A in 2006 and could get a chance to pick up some saves with Pittsburgh's unsettled bullpen, but more likely will compete for the top lefty set-up role.

Lopez filled the lefty specialist role for Boston's bullpen in 2008, holding lefties to a .182 batting average. The Red Sox like his work and he made the second most appearances on the staff. He tends to walk a few too many batters and doesn't miss many bats, but he'll have a spot in the bullpen.

Lopez was a lefty-specialist for Boston in 2007, however lefties batted .293 against him in 2007, and he doesn't have great splits for his career. He walks more batters than we'd like, but keeps the ball in the park and could carve out a spot at the back end of the bullpen.

After being traded from the White Sox in June, Lopez rode the I-95 shuttle between Boston and Triple-A Pawtucket four times. He appeared in 27 games for Boston, primarily as a lefty specialist. The club added left-handed Hideki Okajima in the offseason, so Boston is not desperate for Lopez’s left-handedness. There are spots open in the pen if he can get guys out in spring training.

Righties hit .346 off Lopez a year ago, and if he sticks with the Rockies out of spring training, he'll serve only in a middle relief role.

Lopez turned out to be a nice grab for the Rockies. He put together a fine season as a lefty out of the pen, managing to vulture a few wins and even worked his way into the closer mix late last season. His numbers would have been even more impressive had he not imploded just before the break last year -nine earned runs over two innings in six games. He should continue to play a big part out of the Colorado bullpen.

Traded to Colorado from Boston in March 2003. A Rule 5 draftee from Arizona, Lopez might make the team as their second lefty in the bullpen.