Scott Downs

Scott Downs

48-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Scott Downs in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Indians in March of 2015.
PFree Agent  
March 30, 2015
Downs was released from his contract Monday in order to pursue opportunities with other major league clubs, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon-Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Downs was reassigned to minor league camp Sunday, and rather than accepting an assignment in the minors, he'll take a chance at latching on with another MLB club as a lefty-specialist.
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Scott Downs See More
Indians Team Preview: Rolling Tribe Gathers Moss
February 25, 2015
The Indians weren't very busy this offseason, but their big trade was to acquire Brandon Moss from the A's. Darin Brown previews their chances for 2015.
White Sox Team Preview: Phase Two
February 20, 2015
The White Sox made big strides last season, then were big players this offseason to give Jose Abreu more help. Will it be enough to contend in the AL Central?
Friday Lineup Card: Drew For You!
August 28, 2014
As the season nears an end, Drew Smyly may offer you some much needed starting pitching help...
Saturday Lineup Card: A Case For Hellickson
August 22, 2014
Clay Link looks at all of the day's injury news, some closer situations from around the league and explains why you should consider the Rays' Jeremy Hellickson.
Wednesday Lineup Card: Pining For Pineda
August 12, 2014
Michael Pineda, out since late April due to a suspension and then a back injury, is finally set to make his return to the mound Wednesday.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
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2003
Downs was acquired by the Royals after the White Sox designated him for assignment in late June, and he nearly cut his ERA in half with his new club, posting a 3.14 mark over 14.1 innings (compared to a 6.08 ERA with Chicago). The 38-year-old pitched in one of baseball's better bullpens, however, which limited him to mostly lower-leverage situations. Downs limited left-handed batters to a .650 OPS during the 2014 season, making him ideally suited for LOOGY work at this stage of his career. However, Downs and his career 6.9 K/9 rate provide limited fantasy value as a reliever in the final stages of his career. He'll compete for a spot in the Indians' bullpen during spring training after signing a minor league deal with Cleveland in December.
A deadline acquisition by the Braves in 2013, Downs went on to post a 3.86 ERA, a 1.93 WHIP and eight holds in 25 appearances after his arrival in Atlanta. His overall numbers look much better, thanks to a 1.84 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP and 18 holds with the Angels prior to the trade. Downs allowed just one home run in 68 appearances on the year, and his 7.7 K/9 was his highest since 2009. A 3.9 BB/9 resulted in just a minor improvement to Downs' K:BB ratio from 2012, however, and his 23.0% line drive rate was an alarming increase from the prior season (18.1%). While Downs will be 38 when the 2014 season opens, given his track record -- he has notched 24-plus holds in six of his last seven seasons -- he will likely handle a high-leverage role for the White Sox after signing a one-year deal with Chicago in December.
Downs started to show some major signs of decline last season, posting his highest ERA (3.15) since 2006 and his worst K/BB ratio (1.9) since 2004, when he was a starting pitcher for the Montreal Expos. It's probably not fair to expect a major rebound from a pitcher who will be 37 years old when the season starts, but if Downs can push that K/BB ratio back over 2.0 he should be effective enough to hold down a middle-relief spot in the Angels' improving bullpen.
Downs put together one of the best seasons of his career in 2011, finishing 6-3 with a sparkling 1.34 ERA in 53.2 innings. While he is not a big strikeout guy, and has just 17 career saves, his ability to dominate both righties and lefties makes him a valuable left-handed setup man. He'll be among the most valuable of the non-closing relief pitchers, but keep in mind that the 1.34 ERA he delivered last season overshadowed a slip in his average fastball velocity in addition to his second straight season with a reduced strikeout rate.
Downs enjoyed another fine season out of the Toronto bullpen last year before inking a three-year deal with the Angels in the offseason. He's been a solid staff filler in each of the last four years and figures to be in the closer's mix in Anaheim depending on offseason moves.
Downs inherited the closer's role when B.J. Ryan hit the DL in late April and was racking up saves when a foot injury landed him on the DL in mid-June. He returned in early July only to re-injure himself three weeks later, came back in late August and hurt his hamstring in the middle of September. The litany of injuries bloated his final numbers (3.09 ERA, 1.264 WHIP), and Jason Frasor worked his way into the mix for saves with Downs sidelined. Frasor and Downs figure to enter spring with a share of the closing duties so don't expect more than a dozen or so saves unless he grabs the role outright.
Downs posted career bests in ERA (1.78), WHIP (1.15) and saves (5) in 2008 and became the Jays' primary set-up guy with the injury to Jeremy Accardo. He's been very effective in each of the last two years and makes a nice staff filler in deep leagues as a result, but there's not a ton of upside here. The Jays have some holes in their rotation and there have been rumblings that they could try to move Downs back into a starting role, but that's something he hasn't done since 2006.
Downs had a nice year as Toronto's lefty specialist, and may have found his niche after a few years of getting the occasional start, but it's not a skill set that lends itself to a lot of value.
Downs pitched largely in relief despite numerous injuries to the Toronto rotation, which doesn't bode well for his fantasy future. There's nothing here to separate him from any number of long relievers.
Downs moved into the rotation because of injuries to Roy Halladay and Ted Lilly and didn't embarrass himself. Turning the corner from journeyman to decent option at the back of a major league rotation may be too much to ask, however. He'll try to win a rotation spot this spring.
After almost four years in the wilderness due to Tommy John surgery Downs saw his first significant major leagues innings since 2000, getting 12 starts with the Expos. His excellent Triple-A ERA was entirely the product of a Tewksbury-like walk rate; without it, he's in trouble.
The Expos probably can't remember the last time Downs was healthy for more than about a week, but he managed to pitch 23 Triple-A innings in 2002. Missed two years with elbow trouble and Tommy John surgery, so he's got a long way to go yet.
More Fantasy News
PCleveland Guardians  
March 24, 2015
Downs was informed Tuesday that he will not make the Opening Day roster, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.
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PCleveland Guardians  
December 20, 2014
Downs signed a minor league contract with the Indians on Saturday that includes an invite to spring training, MLB.com reports.
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Scott Downs: (Elbow) Returns From Disabled List Thursday
PKansas City Royals  
August 28, 2014
Downs (neck) was activated from the 15-day DL on Thursday.
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Scott Downs: (Neck) Will Throw Live Bullpen Session Monday
PKansas City Royals  
Neck
August 22, 2014
Downs (neck) will throw a live bullpen session when the team returns home Monday, the Kansas City Star's Andy McCullough reports.
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PKansas City Royals  
Neck
August 12, 2014
Downs was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday due to a cervical facet sprain.
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