Dan Otero

After a one-year surge in strikeouts in 2016, Otero's ability to miss bats regressed back to his career norms during his second campaign with Cleveland. He was still better than a replacement-level reliever, but not by a wide margin. The value he brings to a big-league bullpen comes from his ability to induce groundballs at a high rate, which will often put him in the mix with runners already on base when he enters a game. In the last five seasons, Otero has carried an ERA below 3.00 on four occasions -- twice keeping that number under 2.00. The Indians extended him through 2019 in December, while also including a team option in his contract for 2020. He won't pick up anything more than a rogue save, and the appeal in holds league is limited too, as he's racked up six over the last three seasons combined despite making 155 appearances out of the bullpen during that span.

Otero played an integral role in the bullpen for the World Series runner-ups, quietly posting his best season as a major leaguer in the process. He logged an impressive 1.53 ERA in 70.2 innings, the third best number among relief pitchers who threw over 60 innings this season. Otero also posted a ridiculous 1.3 BB/9 ratio, an elite number that is routine for Otero, who has posted a 1.6 BB/9 or lower in each of his first five MLB seasons. Despite his impressive ERA and walk rate, the righty produced a predictably low strikeout rate. Although his 7.3 K/9 rate is the highest of his career thus far, this is a below-average number that should be expected from Otero, a finesse right-hander whose fastball tops out at 92 mph. Otero should be a regular setup man for Cleveland in 2017 if he can keep his ERA and walks in the elite range they were at in 2016. Although he will figure into the bullpen regularly, he is still a long shot at closing games.

After back-to-back fantastic campaigns in the A's 'pen (combined 2.01 ERA in 2013 and 2014), Otero fell off a cliff in 2015 posting a 6.75 ERA over 46.2 innings and earning himself a demotion to Triple-A. Otero finally succumbed to the home run ball after limiting homers exceptionally well in the previous two seasons (four homers combined in 2013 and 2014) as his HR/9 jumped from 0.3 in 2014 to 1.4 in 2015 while his fly ball rate jumped from 19.9 percent to 28.1 percent. Otero's hard-hit rate also took a leap from 21.6 percent in 2014 to 29.2 percent last season. Otero led all relievers in innings pitched in 2014 and it is possible that the heavy usage caught up to him, but there is no doubt he was ineffective and inconsistent all season long. The A's placed Otero on waivers at season's end, and he was claimed by the Phillies, who then designated him for assignment in December. He was subsequently traded to Cleveland where he will look to rebound in 2016 in his new surroundings.

Otero had a great season for the A's, tossing a league-leading (among relievers) 86.2 innings with a 2.28 ERA and a WHIP under 1.10. He surrendered the first home run of his major league career, but again, was very stingy with the long ball, only allowing four homers all season. Otero still does not strike guys out (he fell to a 4.7 K/9), but uses excellent control (1.6 BB/9) and the lack of homers to be successful. He carries even more value because he is a reliever who can go more than one inning when needed. Otero will fit into the A's bullpen again in 2015 and there is no reason to believe he will not continue his success, but he's far down the list of options to close in Oakland should Sean Doolittle struggle or go down with an injury.

Otero started the 2013 season in the minors, but after his callup in June, he became one of the best and most trusted arms in the A's bullpen. Otero finished the year with a 1.38 ERA and only gave up three earned runs in his last 32 innings. Otero used excellent control (1.4 BB/9) and kept the ball in the park all season to make up for his mediocre strikeout rate (6.2 K/9) and number of hits he gave up (9.7 H/9). Without overpowering stuff, Otero is best suited in middle relief or a setup role, while the A's addition of Jim Johnson should keep him a few chairs away from the closer's role even if something goes wrong in the Oakland bullpen.

Otero spent most of 2012 in Fresno, but broke camp with the Giants and made 12 appearances during April and September. The 27-year-old does not feature overpowering stuff (89.9 mph fastball along with slider, curveball and change) which has translated to 7.6 K/9 over his minor league career (6.5 K/9 in Triple-A in 2012). However, his walk rate this season in Fresno (0.6 BB/9) was very impressive and it has been his top skill over his minor league career (1.2 BB/9). It is conceivable he could break camp with the Giants once again, but will probably provide bullpen depth in Triple-A for most of the year.