David Weathers
A new day, a new closer in Cincinnati. While nothing is or has been official in the Reds' bullpen lately, after watching Dustin Hermanson give up four runs while getting just one out on Saturday against the Marlins, the Reds are likely to turn back to David Weathers, at least to open the season. Hermanson ends the spring with a 7.36 ERA and Weathers 2.57. Todd Coffey has been the team's best reliever with nine scoreless innings (10 strikeouts), but the team seems to prefer using him in the seventh and/or eighth innings. You have to be skeptical about Weathers' chances at keeping the job permanently, but he is the team's most experienced closer with 27 saves combined over the last two years. Still, a closer with a 50/34 K/BB ratio doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence. There's a good chance the Reds will trade for a permanent solution in-season.
Chris Sampson
Sampson was named the team's fifth starter on Saturday, and before you yawn, NL-only leaguers actually have to take a look at each guy named unexpectedly to his team's rotation. Sampson is that guy in Houston. Sampson gets the job despite a 5.63 ERA and 20 hit allowed in 16 innings. He walked six and struck out 12. Still, there's some reason for optimism here, as Sampson was pretty solid last year, posting a 2.12 ERA in 12 games (three starts) and a 12-3, 2.59 mark in Triple-A. His overall K/I rate last year was just 0.52, so he won't help you much there, but there are worse starters out there that could be filling your roster in a 12-team NL-only league.
Adam Wainwright
Significant questions faced the Cardinals' rotation this spring as camp broke. The team was down World Series hero Jeff Suppan (free agent - Milwaukee), Jason Marquis (free agent - Chicago Cubs), and Mark Mulder (shoulder surgery). Fortunately, ex-closer and former starter Adam Wainwright has stepped right back into the rotation, and if spring training stats mean anything, the move appears to be a resounding success. Wainwright pitched another great game on Saturday, holding the Indians to one run on three hits over five solid innings. Wainwright ends the spring with a 1.10 ERA in 32 2/3 innings, including a a 17/9 K/BB. The 0.52 K/I is a far cry from the 0.96 mark Wainwright posted as a reliever in 2006, so don't expect huge strikeout numbers. Still, 15 wins, a sub-4.00 ERA and a solid WHIP appear to be reachable.
Clay Hensley
Hensley finished his spring with a 2.45 ERA, but that's where the encouraging signs end. Hensley was forced to leave Saturday's start after 1 2/3 innings with a blister on his middle finger. All reports are that he'll be able to make his scheduled start on Thursday. Including Saturday's numbers, Hensley in 14 2/3 inning walked 11 batters and struck out just six. Hensley as you may recall, had a relatively spotty minor league track record (4.30 ERA in Double-A in his last full minor league season). Last year though, Hensley made 29 starts, posting a 3.71 ERA. He was far from dominant however, walking 3.7 per nine innings and striking out just 5.9. Petco Park will certainly help his ERA, but look for Hensley to regress this season.
Stephen Drew
Raise your hand if you had flashes of his brother J.D. or mumbled "oh boy, here we go"after Drew tweaked a quad muscle on Friday. It must not have been too serious, as Drew was back in the lineup as the team's leadoff man on Saturday, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Drew finished his spring with a .351 and a nice 7/9 K/BB ratio Drew had just one homer in his 54 at-bats, but he should be good for around 15 this season and if he keeps the leadoff slot, look for 100+ runs scored.
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