Jorge Julio

Traded to the Rockies at the beginning of the 2007, Julio spent most of the season in a set-up role. He had spurts where he was unhittable, but many more times when he couldn't buy an out. He filed for free agency and will take his 5.23 ERA somewhere else in 2008.

Julio had a two-month stretch of dominance last season, wrapped around the trade to Arizona. He was Jorge Julio the rest of the time, with bouts of wildness limiting the effectiveness of his nasty stuff. The guy he shared the closer role with last year is basically the same pitcher. If you take him, buy the value-size Tums, too.

Christmas might have come early for Julio in the form of B.J. Ryan signing a five-year, $47 million deal with Toronto. The Orioles as of yet have not filled their closer role via free agency, with the leading in-house candidates to fill the role being 2005 rookie Chris Ray and Julio, who served as the team's closer from 2002-04. Ray likely has the edge for now, but if incoming pitching coach Leo Mazzone can help reign in Julio's erratic pitching, he has the stuff to be a top-notch setup man and could regain the closer role if Ray struggles in spring training or early in the season. Julio also is being dangled as trade bait, so don't be surprised if he ends up as a late-inning reliever for another organization in 2006.

Julio has to go down as one of the biggest disappoints of 2004 after self-destructing down the stretch and eventually being supplanted as the Orioles closer by B.J. Ryan. He only blew four of 26 save opportunities all season, but his poor work in non-save situations and questions about his conditioning led to the demotion. Julio will likely start the season as the Orioles' top right-handed set-up man with a few opportunities for saves.

Julio was among the league leaders in saves, but also blew nearly 20 percent of his chances and allowed more walks (seven more walks in 6.1 fewer innings than 2002) and homers (10) in 2003. He'll be the closer in 2004, but be prepared for some wild nights.

Julio seized the closer's role midway through April and thrived there, amassing 25 saves with a 1.99 ERA. Unfortunately, after reaching the .500 mark late in August, the Orioles were 4-32 the rest of the year, not giving Julio any more opportunities. He can handle the pressure of closing, and should be good for 25-30. Only the Orioles offense can hold him back.