Ted Lilly

In the first year of a three-year, $33 million deal, Lilly gave the Dodgers everything they could have expected - 197 innings, a 3.97 ERA and a 1.157 WHIP. With a 7.38 K/9IP and 2.38 BB/9IP, Lilly continued to pitch at a higher level than his 85-88 mph fastball would indicate possible. He'll return as a key member of the team's starting rotation and after a 2.94 second-half ERA in 2011, he should continue to be a solid fantasy filler.

The Dodgers re-signed Lilly to a three-year $33 million deal this winter after Lilly went 7-4 with a 3.52 ERA in 12 starts after coming over in a deadline deal with the Cubs. If the improved control he showed throughout last season remains a part of his skill set, Lilly should remain a steady option in the middle of the Dodgers' rotation for the life of that contract even though he'll be 37 when it's all said and done.

Lilly's peripherals have been consistently solid during his first three years in Chicago with his only weakness being a propensity to give up flyballs and hence home runs. Last year, more balls stayed in the park, but we'll chalk that up to good luck as his pitches were being launched into the air at the same rate as in season's past. Still, he reduced his walks to just 1.8 BB/9IP while keeping up a solid strikeout rate (7.68 K/9IP). Be aware, however, that Lilly had arthroscopic surgery to "clean up" his pitching shoulder, and is not expected to be ready for Opening Day. An April return is possible as the surgery was relatively minor, but there's obviously some uncertainty and risk here.

After a slow start, Lilly followed up his career year in 2007 with a near carbon copy. His ERA went up slightly because he gave up four more home runs and a few more hits and walks, but Lilly also struck out more batters and had the same low G/F ratio (low is bad). Lilly's going to give up plenty of home runs, but as long as he continues to display good command, he should be a good source of strikeouts and wins (with a potent Cubs offense behind him) without too much risk to your ERA and WHIP.

It's well known that moving to the National League is good for pitchers, and Lilly's 2007 season was no exception. While facing opposing pitchers didn't help his strikeout rate, Lilly cut down on his walks and posted very solid ERA and WHIP numbers. Lilly was still prone to giving up too many flyballs and also home runs but was bailed out by a lucky .272 batting average against on balls in play. Expect that to catch up with him somewhat in 2008, but his impressive command should continue to make him a useful starter again this season.

Lilly rebounded well following an injury-filled 2005. His WHIP will never be good due to his walks, but there's nice strikeout value. He's expected to get a nice contract this winter via free agency, so there's added upside if he can manage a move to a pitchers' park.

Lilly never got on track in 2005, falling behind in the spring with shoulder problems and missing August with biceps tendinitis. Give him a mulligan for 2005, and expect a rebound if he's healthy in camp.

Lilly posted a 2004 season very similar to his 2003, and should get extra consideration in 5 x 5 leagues where his strikeout totals add a buck or two. The knock on him has been holding up as the season progresses: his ERA stood at 3.66 on August 24 before faltering, so he's still haunted by such demons. He's dependable earlier on, though, and less-than-gaudy overall numbers may have him slipping in most drafts and auctions.

A solid second half (7-3, 3.45 ERA, 67 Ks in 73 innings) helped his overall numbers, and he continues to have increased value in leagues that count strikeouts. Traded to Toronto, where's he's expected to team with Pat Hentgen as the No. 3 and No. 4 starter, behind Roy Halladay and Miguel Batista.

Finally will get his first shot at a full-time starter spot with the A's in 2003. Has a history of occasional left-shoulder problems, but the A's should be able to effectively keep his workload down given the strength of their top three starters. Always projected to be a solid back of the rotation starter on a good team, which is exactly the situation he'll face in Oakland. Has an excellent chance to win at least 12 games and his value is further helped in leagues that count strikeouts.