James Hoey

Hoey has a chance to win a spot in the Minnesota bullpen after coming over from Baltimore in the J.J. Hardy trade. He missed the 2008 season after shoulder surgery, but was healthy last year and had a 3.25 ERA and 70:34 K:BB ratio in 52.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Hoey throws hard and has good strikeout rates, but needs to improve his control. He could win a setup role with the Twins this spring.

Hoey had an outstanding minor league season in 2007 and was being touted as one of the more important names in Baltimore's 2008 bullpen. But he had shoulder problems in spring training and had to have surgery in May. If he can emerge successfully, Hoey once again can play a role in the Orioles' pen, but his chances of seeing any time as the closer are slim to none.

With both Chris Ray and Danys Baez out for most if not all of 2008, Hoey will be one of the more interesting names among the hordes of pitchers auditioning for the closer's job in spring training. He has a mid-90's fastball and a plus slider and has some closing experience in the minors. Alas, his major league outings have been a disappointment so far, highlighted by a whopping 18 walks in 24 innings.

The Orioles were hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with Hoey in 2006 as they did with current closer Chris Ray in 2005. Hoey advanced rapidly through three minor league levels behind a mid-90s fastball and plus slider, posting a dominating 2.28 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 73:18 K:BB ratio in 51.1 innings prior to being called up the Orioles. After the call-up, however, Hoey looked nervous and allowed 11 earned runs in 9.2 innings before being shut down due to shoulder soreness. With the Orioles signing three free agent relievers to big contracts, they can afford to be more cautious with the 24-year-old Hoey; he�ll likely start the season at Triple-A, and if he can dominate that level and build confidence, he could be called up by mid-season.