Josh Towers is Toronto's fifth starter after a strong spring.

PITCHERS

Chad Durbin, SP, Detroit: Durbin was once considered the next big deal as a Royals prospect, but then again, who hasn’t been in Kansas City?  He’s toiled in the minors with a few major league appearances since 2002, but manager Jim Leyland anointed him the fifth starter this spring following the injury to Kenny Rogers.  Durbin will remain in the rotation as long as he is successful, but a competitive team like the Tigers won’t wait long if he fails.  He has an ERA above 6.00 in over 300 innings as a major leaguer, unimpressive strikeout rates and a minor league career ERA above 4.00.  In other words, the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate should leave their phone lines open.

Brandon Morrow, RP, Seattle: Morrow is the first draftee from 2006 to get a significant major league opportunity.  The Mariners will carry the hard-throwing right-hander in the bullpen, a move  that appears to be motivated by fear of losing-- an emotion that both manager Mike Hargrove and GM Bill Bavasi are experiencing as they currently top the ‘Hot Seat’ group for managers and GMs. Morrow, the fifth overall pick last year, only had one top-notch season in college and has never shown great command.  He’s been compared to Tigers’ flamethrower Joel Zumaya, but most scouts believe Morrow needs more minor league seasoning.  Without a meaningful role in the bullpen, Morrow’s value rests in Keeper formats. 

Sidney Ponson, SP, Minnesota: Not many people expected the Twins’ coaching staff to install Ponson into the starting rotation; not with young-gun Matt Garza major league ready.  Ponson failed in stops with St. Louis and the Yankees last season, but his experienced trumped the more talented Garza, at least for now. The Twins are asking Ponson to eat innings and hopefully regain some of the ability he showed during 2002 and 2003 with the Orioles and Giants.  To do so, he will need to challenge hitters, spot his average fastball, and issue fewer free passes to first base. That’s typically easier said than done, especially for a pitcher that’s frustrated his organizations as much off the field as on..  For now, Ponson is free agent fodder in mixed formats with fringe value among AL-only owners.

Al Reyes, RP, Tampa Bay: Following the demotion of Seth McClung and Chad Orvella, Reyes is far and away the best option to close in the Tampa Bay bullpen.  He is returning from Tommy John surgery, but has the most experience and the best control of the current group in the pen.  He also has 104 career saves as a minor league pitcher.  Reyes is the only pitcher in the bullpen with any real service time and has a career ERA under 4.00. A team in ‘youth movement’ mode such as Tampa has incentive to audition young arms later in the season, but for now Reyes is the man. 

Josh Towers, SP, Toronto: After signing a towering contract in 2006, Towers let the Blue Jays down last season; however,  the organization hasn’t given up on the right-hander and will give him another chance as their fifth starter this year.  Towers had a superb spring, beating out both Victor Zambrano and Casey Janssen for the final rotation spot.  As a soft-tosser, Towers needs pinpoint control in order to succeed, just as he did in 2005 with a 3.71 ERA.  His Spring Training was encouraging, but one must remember that his mid-80s fastball has limited upside and offers fantasy owners little in the way of strikeouts.  The possibility of a sub-4.00 ERA can never be ruled out, but the present competition in Toronto, the hitter-friendly ballpark, and the small margin for error makes him a risky pickup in AL-only leagues. 

Honorable Mention:

Victor Zambrano, P, Toronto: Zambrano’s elbow exploded on the mound in early2006 and he is making his way back from Tommy John surgery. A quick recovery almost earned him a job as the Blue Jays fifth starter.  Zambrano’s stuff can be dominating. With a mid-to-high 90s fastball and a solid off-speed pitch, he becomes an early season gamble for fantasy managers. His control continues to be the one issue that prevents him from becoming a truly effective major league arm.  AL-only owners might be able to get some value from him later in the season.