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By: Fred Zinkie
Gregg will once again compete in a crowded bullpen.
The Blue Jays have been one of the quietest teams in baseball since the trading of Roy Halladay. One of the strengths of the team in previous years has been its bullpen and most of those players are still on the roster. That’s why the signing of Kevin Gregg is surprising. Let’s take a look at the fantasy values that have been affected by this signing.
Kevin Gregg – He will get a chance to compete for save opportunities in Toronto. As a closer, his performances have always been inconsistent but he generally gets the job done. He has 86 saves over the past three seasons and that stat can’t be ignored. That track record might give him the upper hand over Toronto’s other relievers during the spring training competition. For now, fantasy owners can predict him to get any more than 20 saves. There is a chance that he doesn’t win the job and gets less than 5 saves. There is also a chance that he runs with the job and exceeds 30 saves. For now, he is a late-round mixed league pick so that he can be cut without any damage if he isn’t the closer at the start of the season. In AL-Only leagues he is a mid-round pick since he can still have a little value in those formats as a middle reliever.
Jason Frasor/Scott Downs – These players were set to have a one-on-one battle for save opportunities until Gregg came along. Before the Gregg signing the most likely scenario was that Frasor and Downs split the chances depending on the need for a lefty or right-hander in the eighth and ninth innings. That could still happen but it is less likely now.
Expect Downs to go back to his role as a left-handed specialist and excellent eighth inning pitcher. Fantasy owners should remember that he was one of the best relief pitchers in the AL during 2007, 2008 and the first half of 2009. His second half in 2009 was clearly injury related so he can have a fresh start this year. No matter who closes, Downs should get at least a few saves.
Frasor’s value is more volatile. He wasn’t well-liked by the Jays until injuries and ineffectiveness elsewhere forced them to give him save opportunities. He responded with an excellent second half and earned a lot of respect. He will be given a fair shot this spring. Like Gregg, he could get anywhere from 3-33 saves this year.
Jeremy Accardo/Jesse Carlson/Shawn Camp/Casey Janssen/Brian Tallet – One of these players could be traded during spring training. The Jays have a deep group of solid relief pitchers and plenty of need for prospects. These players could help several more competitive teams and they can’t all find work in Toronto. Gregg, Frasor and Downs will be in the bullpen for sure. There isn’t enough room for all 8 of the pitchers listed in this article, and there is even less if Toronto doesn’t send Josh Roenicke down to the minors. Add in the odds that a starter like Scott Richmond gets pushed to a long-relief role and you can see why a spring training trade seems likely.