Mike MacDougal

He is the closer for the Kansas City Royals. My first instinct is to ask whether a team with no wins can have someone to close those wins, but I digress.

What is he worth right now? His current stats are not bad (3.79 ERA and 1.40 WHIP) and are slightly better than those he posted in his previous season as the closer (2003 4.08 ERA and 1.50 WHIP)

An interesting statistical note is his strikeouts are up from that season while his walks are way down from 32 in 64 IP to 23 in 57 IP. This indicates he's learned something about pitching.

With this in mind, I'd say his 2003 value is wrapped up in how Saves would affect your team. If the category is tight, any additional saves can mean a point per save. An additional considerations are the actual number of saves he could garner for the Royals.

With 38 games remaining, the Royals would win 13 if they could match their current winning percentage. 20 of the 41 Royals wins resulted in a save. Applying that 50% save rate to the projected 13 Ws, their will be 6 or 7 more saves in 2003.

I don't think those Saves are worth much in 2003. Obviously, if a point ot two or three separates you from the league title and/or you or your competitior are close in Saves, then it is worth more.

If you are not in that type of race, then MacD's 2003 value is very low.

However, I think MacD will close in 2004. If his improved walks and strikeouts stay and he continues to give-up fewer HRs than Burgos, then I think he gets the veteran's benefit-of-the-doubt and stays in the role.

This will not be the popular off-season view so begin whetting your knife in order to scalp the current MacD owner this winter. (Did the NCAA ban the use of Native American actions too?)