Edward Mujica

Boston signed Mujica to a two-year deal last offseason with the intention of using him as a late-inning option and fill-in closer when Koji Uehara wasn't available. Immediately, it looked like the Red Sox wasted their money. He was called on to fill in for a sore-shouldered Uehara in April when Mujica posted a dreadful 10.00 ERA with a .341 BAA. He eventually found a groove, but it took a few months and he was never used in high-leverage situations until August. His ERA over the final two months was 1.72. When Uehara had some fatigue in September, Mujica served as the team's closer, converting all five of his chances. The Red Sox are assuming a less adventurous year from Mujica, who enters the 2015 season as he did 2014 -- as Boston's fill-in closer and setup man. Uehara is back as the closer after signing a two-year deal, but the Red Sox know they must build in more regular rest days for him. As a result, Mujica may see more save opportunities in situations where Uehara is unavailable.

Mujica emerged in late April as the closer for the Cardinals and piled up 37 saves before fading in an ugly September that saw him post an 11.05 ERA while opponents hit .514/.541/.943 against him. There were some injury concerns, but Mujica appears to be healthy and it was more likely a case of small-sample size regression, as Mujica was pitching well above his career norms before the collapse. The Red Sox signed him to a two-year deal in December, putting him in line to work as a setup option and insurance policy for Koji Uehara.

Mujica has always been a pretty good reliever, but boy did the Cardinals hit the jackpot when they picked him up from the Marlins in July. He earned a hold in 18 of his 29 appearances with the Cardinals, and his first 18 innings with his new team were sparkling: 17 IP, 10 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 13 K, 11 holds. A strong K:BB - including an amazing 72:6 in 2010 - has always been his calling card, and it should help him be the top setup man for the Cardinals again this year.

If there were a Vulture of the Year Award, Mujica would have taken home the hardware in 2011 given his nine wins and outstanding ratios in his first season as a Marlin. His strikeout rate slipped from his previous season with the Padres, but he kept the ball down better and actually improved his home-run rate, no easy feat for a pitcher who no longer calls Petco Park home. Assuming he gives up a few more long balls this year his ERA will probably be back in the mid-3.00s. Unless lightning strikes twice in the win column, Mujica will probably return to fantasy fungibility status.

Mujica showed outstanding command in 2010 as he posted a 72:6 K:BB ratio. His strikeout rate spiked to 9.3 K/9IP as he used his splitter more than ever before. It wasn't all roses, however, as his home-run rate was again very high. In the offseason he was traded to the Marlins. The move away from PETCO Park mixed with his troubles with the long ball may not be the best formula for success. Those speculating on saves will want to keep this in mind, should Mujica find himself in a late-inning role.

Another member of the Bullpen of Misift Toys, Mujica took advantage of Petco's dimensions and pounded the strike zone, walking just 15 men unintentionally and even picking up a couple of saves along the way. His extreme flyball tendencies make him dangerous in high-leverage roles, so this may be as far as he goes, and he could fall out of the league quickly.

Mujica bounced around between Triple-A Buffalo and Cleveland once again and failed to impress. The Indians are pretty well set from the right side in the bullpen so Mujica will need to improve if he wants a spot on the roster. There isn't anything to get excited about here.

He can probably navigate the Buffalo-to-Cleveland route blindfolded without too much trouble as he was back-and-forth five times last season. He's put up fairly impressive numbers at Triple-A in a relief role each of the last two seasons but hasn't had just a whole lot of success at the big league level when called upon in either stint. In most organizations he'd be all but assured of a relief role again but the Indians are stacked from the right side. He'll face a roster crunch to make the team, but Mujica can always join the Buffalo Tourism Board if all else fails.

A typical find by GM Mark Shapiro, Mujica led the Tribe's minor league system in walks per nine innings pitched for two straight seasons. He parlayed that success into a late season call-up with the big club in September, where he didn't walk a soul in 18.1 innings. Mujica is exactly the type of fantasy player on which to take a risk. Managers will always lean on someone who gets the ball over the plate and with the Tribe's closer situation up in the air; why not big Ed? A great sleeper here.

General managers love pitchers who throw strikes. Mujica walked seven batters in 60-plus innings in 2005 while striking out 65 between High-A Kinston and Double-A Akron. Not quite as dominant in Double-A, Mujica could use a little bit more seasoning before joining the mix of good, young relievers at or near ready for the big leagues.