Jeff Nelson

Myriad injuries limited Nelson to 17.7 IP in 2004 and it's been since 2001 now since he's been a dominant reliever. There's no reason to suspect his downward trend won't continue wherever he signs. He won't be back in Texas, that's for sure.

Nelson, who was looking for a multiyear deal, was not offered arbitration so the Yankees can't negotiate with him until May 1. This means he is not earmarked for a spot in the newly revamped bullpen and could signal the end of his NY days. The signings of right-handed relievers Tom Gordon and Paul Quantrill made Nelson expendable. Although great at times, Nelson was erratic in 2003 (6 blown saves) and posted a mundane 3.74 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.

Nelson missed some time last season and pitched in only 41 games, but he is a good 1-2, lefty-righty punch with Arthur Rhodes. He may be good for a handful of saves, unless Kaz Sasaki gets hurt, in which he'll be a tri-closer with Rhodes and Shigetoshi Hasegawa. Nelson also averages more than a strikeout an inning, which puts him above fellow righty Hasegawa. A decent reliever to have if you carry a deep pitching staff.