Scott Downs

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.