David Carpenter

Although on the surface Carpenter appeared to take a significant step back from his tremendous 2013 campaign, with his ERA jumping close to 180 points, his FIP and xFIP rose by just 11 and eight points, respectively. The right-hander trimmed his walk rate to 6.2%, from 7.8% in 2013, averaged better than a strikeout per inning (9.9 K/9) and proved plenty capable in high-leverage situations, finishing second on the team in holds with 19 behind Jordan Walden (20). It's impossible to expect Carpenter to ever post numbers like he did in 2013 again in his career -- he benefited greatly from a 90.2% strand rate and .260 BABIP -- but he should continue to play a significant role for the Yankees following a January trade, though he may see fewer chances at holds with the later innings already accounted for.

The Braves' decision to claim Carpenter off waivers from the Red Sox in November of 2012 paid huge dividends, as the right-hander went on to post career-best numbers across the board in his first season with Atlanta. Carpenter recorded a minuscule 1.78 ERA, with a 10.1 K/9 and a 90.2% strand rate in 56 appearances after his late-April callup. It was an incredible turnaround following a disastrous 2012 campaign, which saw the Astros of all teams dump Carpenter, but his turnaround perhaps should not have come as much of a surprise, as his previous-year numbers suffered from a .422 BABIP, and he improved his swinging-strike rate to 11.6%. After being used in long relief immediately upon his promotion to the Braves, Carpenter was tasked with recording more high-pressure outs later in the year, and he went on to notch all 12 of his holds after Aug. 1. He won't see opportunities to close so long as Craig Kimbrel is healthy, but Carpenter will likely work near the back-end of the bullpen this season.

After a breakthrough season in 2011, Carpenter struggled last year with a 6.07 ERA as he walked too many batters and was later traded to Toronto. Since Carpenter throws in the mid-90s and still had a good strikeout rate (8.6 K/9), he's a decent bounceback candidate if he can limit the free passes. However, he landed with the Braves in the offseason and will have a hard time winning a role in Atlanta's deep bullpen this spring. He may just add depth at Triple-A.

Carpenter posted his best season in relief yet, including a lights-out stretch in Triple-A where he went 18.2 innings without allowing an earned run. His solid strikeout rate will be a fantasy asset in deeper leagues, even if he doesn't find his way into the closer role. Carpenter is a nice sleeper heading into 2012: the 26-year-old averages nearly 94 mph with his fastball and should have plenty of chances to grab one of the many openings in the Astros' 2012 bullpen. Even though Brett Myers has been moved into the bullpen to open the year as the Astros' closer, Carpenter may be the next in line for saves in Houston if Myers suffers an injury or ends up getting traded this season.