Miguel Batista

Batista actually put up solid numbers as the Nationals' long man out of the bullpen, but at 40 years old he may have an understandably tough time convincing some other club he can do it again. Don't expect high-leverage innings if he's able to secure a job for 2011.

To the wild cheers of Mariners fans everywhere, Batista's Seattle career is finally over, but not before he took home $25 million for three-year totals of 27-29, 4.84 ERA and 258-203 K:BB. It remains to be see whether his career is over. Perhaps he can latch on somewhere as a long reliever. Unless Bill Bavasi is still handing out contracts, though, it'll be on a much less lucrative deal.

Batista was a disaster last season. In 20 starts, he failed to go at least six innings 14 times, posting a 6.70 ERA. He lost his rotation spot mid-season but pitched no better in relief, walking 18 in 23.2 innings (6.84 BB/9). He was one of three major leaguers who pitched at least 80 innings and registered more walks than strikeouts (76:73). Batista likely won't be allowed anywhere near the rotation this season, but his $9 million salary for 2009 makes him untradeable -- and an expensive middle reliever.

At times last season, Batista pitched effectively. Other times he was downright awful. As a No. 5 starter, you'd take it. As a No. 3, he leaves a lot to be desired. Just once last season did Batista go at least eight innings. He pitched seven innings in only six of 32 starts. Some will look at his 16 wins - more than any of last year's free-agent pitchers - and assume success. Don't be fooled. Check out his 4.29 ERA, his 133:85 K:BB and his 1.523 WHIP. Even when Batista posted low run totals he put a lot of runners on base (he walked nearly four per nine innings and gave up nearly 10 hits per nine). That's not a recipe for long-term success. The Mariners, unfortunately, have two years and $18 million left of his cooking.

Batista figured out his control woes early in the season, posting solid first-half numbers (2.97 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 4 W, 15 SV, 3 HR) before struggling over the final months (5.35 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 16 SV, 6 HR, 6 L). He'll be converted to a starter after his trade to the Diamondbacks and will try to win a spot in the rotation this spring.

Batista's control numbers plummeted in 2004 with a terrible 104/96 K/BB ratio in 198.2 IP. He's had better than 2/1 K/BB ratio just once in his career, so there's more bad than good in his past. Toss in a ballooning HR/IP rate and it's pretty clear why he exploded in 2004. Nonetheless, he's posted sub-3.54 ERAs twice in the last four seasons. Although he ended the 2004 campaign racking up five saves in the final two weeks, he'll begin 2005 back in the rotation, following the team's failure to sign a free agent starter.

Batista once again proved to be a very capable starting pitcher when pressed into duty in 2003. He'll wind up somewhere as a mid-to-back-of-rotation starter in 2004, and, depending on the locale, could be a decent performer.

Batista starts the year as either the third or fourth starter for Arizona, and he's used to the manner in which Bob Brenly utilizes his rotation (Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling both go every fifth day, regardless of off days, and everyone else fills in, which could sometimes lead to lots of rest between starts). He'll probably get between 25-30 starts, and with the decent run support the D-Backs should provide, Batista, who'll turn 32 in the spring, should be good for something like 10-10, 4.20, 1.3 WHIP, 5.5 K's per nine innings. Bid accordingly, and just remember, that as one of the backup singers to The Big Two in Arizona, Batista may get fewer two-start-week chances than your normal No. 3-4 starter.