Rick Helling

Helling was moved into the rotation late in the 2005 season and responded by going 3-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 49 IP. The Brewers re-signed him for 2006 and he'll get a shot at a rotation spot during spring training, but beware. At 35, he's unlikely to register anything better than typical fifth-starter numbers.

Helling was awful in Baltimore, but probably salvaged his career with some effective performances in long relief for the Marlins down the stretch. His Florida success screams 'small sample size', however -- wait for him to prove he's turned a corner before ponying up the dough. He'll try to win a starting job with the Twins.

Helling turned in a respectable 10-12, 4.51 performance for Arizona in 2002, and he's very capable of being a third or fourth starter for any major league team. That said, check in the spring to make sure Helling didn't wind up in a pitcher's hell like Houston or Denver or another team with poor support. Helling is the type of pitcher that'll go six innings and nab a 6-4 decision, and not the type who'll consistently win 2-1, 3-2 games for his team. He turns 32 in the offseason, so he should still have a couple of decent seasons left.