John Axford

John Axford

41-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for John Axford in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year contract with the Blue Jays in June of 2021. Traded to the Brewers in August of 2021. Released by the Brewers in November of 2021.
Closes curtains on career
PFree Agent  
March 13, 2024
Axford announced Wednesday via social media that he has retired from professional baseball.
ANALYSIS
Axford's playing days were believed to be behind him after he underwent Tommy John surgery as a 38-year-old in September 2021, but after sitting out the 2022 season, he proceeded to pitch for the Canadian team during the 2023 World Baseball Classic last spring. The right-hander didn't end up signing elsewhere following the WBC and will now formally step away from the game. A veteran of 544 career appearances over parts of 11 big-league seasons, Axford notched 144 saves and posted a lifetime 3.90 ERA in 525.2 innings across stints with Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Oakland, Toronto and the Dodgers. He enjoyed his best season with the Brewers in 2011, when he led the majors with 46 saves and finished ninth in the National League Cy Young Award balloting.
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring John Axford See More
All-Time Milwaukee Brewers Draft
April 13, 2020
Even though he's only played two years with them, Christian Yelich already ranks among the all-time Brewers.
Mound Musings: AL East Draft Day Targets
February 22, 2019
This week, Brad Johnson examines pitching in the American League East, featuring Chris Sale and a Red Sox group that should make opposing batters more than a little nervous.
NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
August 12, 2018
Jan Levine looks at several closer changes that've already occurred -- looking at you, Marlins -- and at least one other that might happen soon.
Mound Musings: Examining Trade Deadline Repercussions
August 2, 2018
Brad Johnson dives into the impact of the non-waiver trade deadline on pitchers like Cole Hamels, who was in the middle of a disappointing season with the Rangers when he got traded to the Cubs.
Weekly Pitcher Rankings: No Sign of Slowing for Cole
July 28, 2018
Todd Zola ranks the week's pitchers as Gerrit Cole, who continues to dominate batters, is one of the few aces with two starts.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
Axford was merely a backup plan at closer for the A's in 2016. Though his control improved, his walk rate remained high (4.1 per nine) and he posted the lowest strikeout rate of his career (8.2 K/9). He hasn't posted an ERA lower than 3.95 since 2011. That tells a story of how inefficiently he's worked: To go along with his inability to stave off free passes, he got ahead 0-1 just 50.9 percent of the time. Even with all these weaknesses, his fastball average remains healthy (95.6 mph), and his 144 career saves could earn him future chances if he can convince Oakland management to focus on nostalgia. That was enough to net him 15 holds last year, which increases his value in leagues that count the statistic. Still, the A's are developing several young closer-type alternatives that likely will keep the shaky right-handed veteran out of the saves picture.
Ah, the multiple phases of Axford. Phase 1 was a guy that came out of nowhere to be an effective closer. Phase 2 was a guy that became hittable and couldn’t keep the ball in the yard because he was tipping his pitches and wasn’t told until he was traded to the Cardinals. Phase 3 Axford has become a guy who isn’t as hittable as the Phase 2 guy, but is regressing in terms of commanding his pitches. Coors Field's expansive outfield did not help his BABIP in 2015 (career-high .342), but he still fell into 25 saves once LaTroy Hawkins and Adam Ottavino got out of the way. In order to clear a 40-man spot for a prospect ahead of the Rule 5 draft, the Rockies designated Axford assignment in November, with the right-hander ultimately landing in Oakland on a two-year deal. He will likely be third in the pecking order for saves, but both of the players ahead of Axford (Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson) have had their share of injury issues.
Axford compiled a 3.95 ERA and 1.45 WHIP split between the Indians (43.2 innings) and the Pirates (11 innings) in 2014. The velocity (94.7 mph fastball avg) remains for the right-hander, but he's now pitched for four different organizations in the last two seasons. His stock has also dropped from a one-time closer to a seventh-inning reliever. While it's possible that his experience and an improved groundball rate (53.6%) could land him a late-inning role, there are better potential closers to speculate upon -- Axford has blown 10 of his last 20 save opportunities since 2013.
After the Cardinals acquired him in an August trade with the Brewers, Axford finished the final month of the season strong, posting a 1.74 ERA and an 11:3 K:BB ratio over his final 10.1 innings. A slow start to the season included a bad case of gopheritis, but he seemed to figure out some of his issues with the long ball after a dismal April. Keep in mind, however, that the 9.0 K/9 he delivered in 2013 was the lowest mark of his big league career, so the peripherals do not portend a full rebound. Axford is on track to open the season as the Indians' closer after signing a one-year deal with Cleveland in December.
Axford was in-and-out as the closer last season thanks to nine blown saves, but he will enter 2013 with the job after converting 13-of-14 save opportunities in the final month. Axford was anything but consistent last season, but he still managed to rack up 35 saves and strike out 93 batters in just 69.1 innings. His question marks will bump him down the cheat sheet, but he will have a little more leash this season in an inexperienced Brewers bullpen and could be a nice value thanks to his strikeout rate.
Axford quietly had one of the better seasons from a reliever during 2011. He saved 46 games, struck out 86 in 73.2 innings and only had two blown saves. The main reason for his improvement was a significant drop in his walk rate. His strikeout rate dipped a bit as well, which may be a cause for concern, but he's cemented as Milwaukee's closer and should provide a decent return on your investment.
Axford was given a chance to close last May and never looked back. He finished with 24 saves, a 2.48 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 58 innings. He enters 2011 entrenched as the closer for the Brewers and would need to falter multiple times before being removed. The only concern with Axford is his control, which was 4.19 BB/9IP last season. That's something that could come back to bite him if his strikeout rate decreases.
Axford made his major league debut as a right-handed reliever in 2009 with the Brewers. While he can get a fair number of strikeouts, he also gives up his fair share of walks as well. He'll get a shot at a bullpen role this spring, but it's more realistic that he'll begin the season at Triple-A Nashville.
More Fantasy News
Competing in World Baseball Classic
PFree Agent  
December 19, 2022
Axford (elbow) announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he intends to pitch for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic this spring.
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Throwing again
PFree Agent  
Elbow
June 6, 2022
Axford announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he's resumed throwing for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last September.
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Moves to 60-day IL
PMilwaukee Brewers  
Elbow
August 12, 2021
Axford (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday.
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Ruled out for season
PMilwaukee Brewers  
Elbow
August 4, 2021
Axford is dealing with significant structural damage in his elbow and won't pitch again in 2021, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
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Lands on IL with elbow injury
PMilwaukee Brewers  
Elbow
August 3, 2021
Axford was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with an elbow injury, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Mounting comeback bid
PFree Agent  
March 21, 2020
Axford was working on a return to professional baseball prior to the suspension of the season, Sportsnet.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Axford signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays in 2019, but a stress fracture in his throwing elbow that he sustained during spring training kept him out for the entire season. However, the 36-year-old expressed interest in returning to the mound, although he's unsure whether it will be possible in 2020 due to the delayed start to the season. Axford's last major-league action came with the Dodgers and Blue Jays in 2018, when he recorded a 5.27 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 54.2 innings.
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