Julian Tavarez

Tavarez started and relieved for Boston last year with intermittent success in each role, but finished with a 5.15 ERA and 1.500 WHIP. Boston picked up his option for the 2008 season. He's stated he wants to be traded to a National League team and is on the block.

Tavarez traveled a rocky road for Boston in 2006, posting a 4.71 ERA, 75 hits and eight homers in 65 relief innings. Nonetheless, he was at his best in September (3-0, 3.52 ERA, 30 H, 31.2 IP) when the club used him as a starter. His overall 4.47 ERA was a disappointment coming after three straight sub-4.00 seasons. He gave up several big hits as a reliever and lost his job as a seventh-inning bridge to Mike Timlin because of it. Had Manny Delcarmen or Craig Hansen fared any better in the role, we'd rule him out of such a high-leverage spot this year, but we can't. He's signed for another season and is a good friend of Manny Ramirez (don't underestimate the importance of that relationship) meaning he'll likely be around for the full season.

Tavarez took a step backward in 2005 from dominance to good, but not great. He is volatile and inconsistent, as evidenced by an ERA that went from 2.29 in the first half to 5.13 in the second. That said, he throws a sinker with tons of movement when he's on, and will find setup work with a team willing to take on his baggage.

On the mound, Tavarez is a handy pitcher to have around. Not dominant enough to be a full-time closer, he picked up four saves filing in for Jason Isringhausen in 2004 a season after recording 11 for Pittsburgh. He also collected 19 holds, tops among Cardinal right-handers. Highly volatile during his career, Tavarez broke bones in his left hand after punching something during a fit of rage after allowing a game-winning home run to Carlos Beltran in game four of the NLCS. He continued to pitch and was fairly successful in the post-season -- 2.61 ERA in nine appearances. He also was suspended for eight games for getting caught with a "foreign substance" (pine tar) on his cap in a June game. In his second year of a two-year deal, Tavarez will have to keep the off-field incidents to a minimum while continuing to be solid on the field to stay in the good graces of St. Louis management.

After other options failed, Tavarez ended up as the default closer for the Pirates last season and did surprisingly well, notching 11 saves. He is more suited for set-up work however and that will likely be his role this year, so draft or buy accordingly.

Pitchers who walk more than they strike out tend not to make attractive roto options.