Capps, Matt

In 2007 Capps was sent to the end of the bullpen to cover 9th inning duties and did well, positing a 2.28 ERA and blowing only 3 saves of 21 opportunities. He followed that up in 2008 by pitching well again, but again getting injured. He IS a closer so someone will take him, but Nats closer + continuing elbow problems = something to steer clear of.

If it were just a matter of health one could take a shot, but Capps has never been big strikeout type closer even when pitching well and has been prone to the flyball. In the best of circumstance that makes him a bit more flammable than one can recommend.

Looming over all of this is that he may just be a placeholder for the talented Drew Storen, whose arrival may be any time. Storen, the #10 overall pick in 2009 dominated three levels including nine saves in 11 appearances for double-A Harrisburg without allowing an earned run.

I suspect the real Capps is the 2007 version or the 2008 versions when he was more or less healthy. But it is merely a suspicion. 4-18-4.00-1.20-60. 75IP