Matt Guerrier

Elbow issues limited Guerrier to 14 innings with a 3.86 ERA for the Dodgers in 2012. It was the first major injury of Guerrier's career, as the reliable middle reliever had posted seven straight seasons with at least 66 innings pitched. Assuming he's fully healthy, Guerrier will again pitch in middle relief, as he's way down on the closer depth chart at this point.

Guerrier gave the Dodgers exactly what they should have expected - a healthy season of 66.2 innings with a 4.07 ERA and 1.266 WHIP. Guerrier's 6.78 K/9IP was actually his best strikeout rate since 2008, but his walk rate went the wrong direction and only 40 percent of his batted balls were groundballs versus a career mark of 45 percent. He did allow just four home runs, but to maintain a sub-4.00 ERA in 2012, we'll need to see more grounders and fewer free passes. He'll slot back in his normal middle relief spot in 2012.

Guerrier is a pitcher whose results have always defied his peripheral numbers. Last season his strikeout rate declined to 5.3 K/9IP and he had a mediocre 42:22 K:BB ratio. He gets some groundballs (45 percent of battled balls), but nothing so overly impressive to offset his mediocre stuff. Still, he's durable with more than 70 appearances each of the last four seasons. Overwork is always a concern as he's had some bad stretches (such as a 6.35 ERA over July and August). He'll work in a setup role again after signing with the Dodgers. Even if his performance declines given his peripheral numbers, it may be offset by the move to Chavez Ravine.

Guerrier rebounded from the worst season of his career to re-establish himself as a key setup man for the Twins. Guerrier faded in the second half of 2008 amid the largest workload of his career. However, an equally heavy workload in 2009 had little impact. He turned things around with improved control (47:16 K:BB ratio) and by allowing fewer home runs. Two worries for next season are a decline from an already average strikeout rate (to 5.5 K/9IP last season) and that he allowed an unsustainable .222 BABIP. He'll enter 2010 as the third or fourth option to set up Joe Nathan.

Guerrier simply fell apart in the second half of the season as overuse contributed to an 8.88 ERA after the All-Star break. Manager Ron Gardenhire's faith in Guerrier after he was clearly struggling may be the reason Minnesota failed to make the playoffs. Guerrier was on pace to pitch in over 80 games during the first half of the season and started to wear down in August after he was used seven times in 10 games. Overall, he still struck out enough batters to be effective (6.96 K/9IP) but walked too many (59:37 K:BB ratio) and gave up too many home runs. His second half fade and workload (a career-high 76 appearances) are a worry, but he'll enter 2009 as the second or third option in the bullpen to set up Joe Nathan.

While Guerrier's basic stats look somewhat similar to his last two seasons in the Minnesota bullpen, his peripheral numbers took a big leap. Guerrier's strikeouts nearly doubled and his control improved significantly (a 68:21 K:BB ratio). With Juan Rincon slumping and Jesse Crain's health in doubt, he could become the primary set-up man along with Pat Neshek to closer Joe Nathan. He may be one of the more valuable set-up men in AL-only leagues as a result.

Guerrier will work as a middle reliever for the Twins after a second consecutive solid season, which was disrupted by a broken thumb. He took a line drive off it in June and missed nearly two months. He doesn't strike out enough batters or have good enough control to continue to post a sub-4.00 ERA, however, and he won't have a high-profile role in a deep Minnesota bullpen.

Guerrier had an impressive rookie season with a 3.39 ERA working mostly in middle and long relief. He'll return in a similar role this season, but he doesn't strike out enough batters or have good enough control to think he'll be able to duplicate his numbers.

Guerrier struggled in a brief trial as Minnesota's fifth starter last season and then languished in long relief. While he's shown good command in the minors, he doesn't strike out enough batters to get excited about his major league prospects. He's not a sure bet to make the major league roster and will likely spend most the year as a starter at Triple-A Rochester.

Guerrier struggled last season with arm troubles and the Twins claimed him off waivers with the idea of adding some depth in their Triple-A rotation. He's a long shot to get called up to Minnesota.