Brett Cecil (RP-TOR) - If you're on the lookout for projected non-closers who could become closers by Opening Day, Cecil is one guy to look at. As of now, the role for Aaron Sanchez is TBD at best, as the decision whether to place Sanchez in the rotation or the bullpen won't be made until mid-March. If he is in the bullpen, closer is his most likely role given last year's sparkling 1.09 ERA in 33 innings. Most likely though Sanchez slots in the bullpen, as the Blue Jays have an abundance of rotation options, including promising rookie Daniel Norris, who probably doesn't have a slot even if Sanchez opens in the bullpen. Cecil though is worth keeping an eye on in deeper leagues. He's not a LOOGY by any means, as he was slightly better versus RH hitters last year than LH. His 12.8 K/9 is certainly closer material, and after posting a 5.5 BB/9 prior to the All-Star break, Cecil dropped that number to 3.4 thereafter along with a 1.50 ERA.
Tyler Clippard (RP-OAK) - Take out one ugly September outing and Sean Doolittle's 2.73 ERA drops to 2.02, but regardless, Doolittle was diagnosed in January with a "slight" rotator cuff tear in his pitching shoulder. The team hopes that a PRP injection and a strengthening program will get Doolittle back to 100%, and a report last week showed good improvement, but shoulder injuries are scary. Clippard will probably open as the closer unless Doolittle's recovery accelerates quickly, and who knows, perhaps Clippard keeps the job longer. Last year's numbers would warrant it: 10.5 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 2.18 ERA.
Matt Harvey (SP-NYM) - Most mock drafts I've seen have Harvey slotting in somewhere in the sixth round in 12-team mixed league drafts, so if you are looking for a potential ace after drafting five hitters, Harvey could be your guy. Sure, there's a risk as he's coming off Tommy John surgery, but let's review those 2013 numbers again - 2.27 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 1.6 BB/9. Oftentimes with Tommy John surgery, the last thing to come back is a pitcher's control, so keep an eye on that this spring. Harvey is slated to make his Grapefruit League debut on March 6. I'll be watching.
Lucas Duda (1B-NYM) - I won't say Duda came completely out of nowhere last year, but 30 home runs and 92 RBI off a .253/.349/.481 slash? That was unexpected. That equates to one home run per 17 at-bats versus a pre-2014 mark of one every 25 at-bats. Duda was in the news this week due to his nursing an intercostal strain. Don't consider it serious unless his absence extends beyond a few days. Duda's BB% dropped from 14.3% to a still-solid 11.6%, but he also cut his K% four percentage points to 22.7%. Duda's 30.6% GB% was third-lowest in the game behind Chris Carter and Brandon Moss, so he gets the ball in the air frequently, and when that happens, good things often result. Duda was once again a liability against LHP (.180/.264/.252), so if he wants to take another step forward, we'll need to see some improvement there.
Brandon Morrow (SP-SD) - Morrow and Odrisamer Despaigne are reportedly the top two competitors for the Padres' No. 5 starter job, with Robbie Erlin and Matt Wisler trailing and Josh Johnson (elbow) a possibility sometime in May. Morrow is the riskier of the two, but also is the far more intriguing fantasy option should he win the job. Injuries have derailed his career, but Morrow still has the velocity (94 mph avg FB) last year and his career K/9 is an excellent 9.4. He's allowed nearly a homer per inning in his career, but Petco Park mitigates the effects of his flyballs. Ultimately, Morrow probably winds up either in the bullpen or on the disabled list, but strikeouts are golden in fantasy, so he's worth at least a look if he wins a rotation job.
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