Scot Shields

Shields went 6-4 with a 2.70 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 64 appearances out of the bullpen in 2008. Shields was again one of the top setup men in the league, but fantasy owners should be aware that both his WHIP and batting average against have gone up each of the last three seasons. Shields will become a candidate to take over the closer's role now that Francisco Rodriguez is a Met, though closer-in-waiting in Jose Arredondo will likely keep Shields in the set-up role.

Long thought of as one of the best set-up men in the game, Shields struggled at times last season to find his command. Shields’ 3.86 ERA and 2.33 K:BB mark were his worst totals in the past five years and he was even temporarily replaced at different points throughout the season. Other fantasy owners may forget about Shields after his down season, but he still has the potential to have another 100-strikeout season - if the Angels work him for 85-90 innings - and if he works less, he's among the most valuable middle relievers in the game so long as he continues to fan a batter per inning.

The addition of Justin Speier makes him expendable, so if the Angels opt to trade him as part of a package for a bit bat, it would be a good example of trading a guy a year too soon, instead of waiting until it's too late. Shields could end up a closer on about 15 teams, so watch this carefully. He's a decline risk, but saves are saves.

Shields is one of the most consistent and reliable set-up men in the game. Look for more of the same in 2006 -- solid ERA, WHIP and strikeout numbers with above average win totals and a handful of saves. Shields is likely to provide more value than most number four starting pitchers.

Shields continued to be Mr. Reliable out of the Angels bullpen in 2004. With K-Rod taking over as closer this year, Shields moves up a notch on the organizational flow chart and should pick up a few more holds in the process. He's one of the more valuable set-up men in the fantasy landscape.

Shields may or may not begin the season as the fifth starter, given the signings of Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar. He had been a reliever for a couple of seasons, and was just starting to get his swerve on as a starter. Shields replaced Kevin Appier in the Anaheim rotation during the season and managed 13 starts, even working through a "dead-arm" phase late in the season, as he became acclimated to pitching deeper into games. Good sleeper pick who could be had cheaply.

Shields was a June call-up and was used in long relief out of the Angels bullpen last season. That situation shouldn't differ in 2003, with Shields a mild long shot to even make the team out of camp.