Tyler Walker

Walker began last season in the minors but worked his way back to the majors with a solid performance at Triple-A. He was pitching so well for the Phillies that the team was tossing around the idea of giving Walker some save chances when Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson were struggling. That didn't materialize but Walker showed enough that he shouldn't have to settle for a minor league deal again this offseason. Walker does have past closing experience from his time in San Francisco, but he doesn't really have the stuff to dominate in that role. He seems to be a better fit in a middle-innings role, but he's worth keeping an eye on if he lands on a team with a shaky closer or an unestablished stopper at the end of games.

Walker signed with the Mariners in January after the Giants took him off the 40-man roster, making him a free agent. He struck out 49 in 53.1 last year, showing some upside despite otherwise unimpressive numbers. Walker likely will get a shot at the closer role for the Mariners. If not, he'll join the growing line of right-handed set-up options. He's not a standout by any means, but he's a cheap bullpen arm with experience.

Walker recorded a 1.26 ERA and 1.116 WHIP over 14.1 innings after returning from Tommy John surgery last year. However, he has a career 4.51 ERA with a weak 1.9 K:BB ratio. It looks like he’ll compete with Brian Wilson for San Francisco’s closer’s job during spring training, but he has to be considered the heavy underdog.

Walker had a great run as the Rays' closer in midseason—that 1.25 WHIP usually leads to an ERA in the threes, so that was an unluckily high ERA for Walker. However, he hurt his elbow and not only missed the rest of 2006, but he'll miss most of the 2007 season as well. Check back on Walker next spring.

Arguably the worst pitcher to fall into 20 saves in years, Walker was the chief beneficiary of the Armando Benitez injury. He won't save 23 games for the rest of his career.

Walker was a decent middle reliever in 2004 and will compete to reprise the role in 2005.

Walker was 10-5 with a 3.99 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk, with nearly a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He'll be vying for a spot in the bullpen.