Craig Breslow

43-Year-Old PitcherP

Free Agent

2024 Stats

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Craig Breslow in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats L

Throws L

40 Man No

Height 6'1"

Weight 180

DOB 8/8/1980

Drafted 26th Rd 2002

Joins Cubs' front office

PFree Agent

January 14, 2019

Breslow joined the Cubs as the team's Director of Strategic Initiatives for Baseball Operations on Monday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

ANALYSIS
Reports earlier in the offseason suggested that Breslow was prepared to end his career for a front-office job, and the Yale product has done just that. The veteran southpaw pitched in parts of 12 major-league seasons for seven different teams, posting a 3.45 ERA in 570.2 innings.

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2017

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

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Breslow became a free agent in the offseason after four years in Boston. He was a big part of the bullpen during Boston’s run up to the World Series in 2013, but had been unable to repeat that success in the two years since. He had a 4.15 ERA while giving up a whopping 12 homers in 65 innings (1.66 HR/9). Since his heroics in 2013, Breslow has a 4.98 ERA and has permitted 20 homers in 119.3 innings (1.51 HR/9). Breslow made the first starts of his career last year, which adds an interesting wrinkle, but those starts came out of desperate need. Due to injuries and pitching limits on some young starters, Boston needed Breslow to make a couple of September starts, and he allowed two runs and seven hits (two homers) in 9.1 innings. The two starts are a short sample size, but the former Yalie is no dummy, and in a bid to increase his marketability, he has informed major league teams he’s willing to be a starter in 2016.

Coming off a 71-appearance season in 2013 that extended to late October, Breslow's spring-training work was delayed and he opened the season on the disabled list. Once he was available to pitch, Breslow never regained the form that made him so dependable in Boston's championship run. He had a 5.96 ERA and walked 28 batters in 54.1 innings pitched. Breslow would likely argue that 2014 was an outlier and his body work from 2008 to 2013 indicates he's still a major-league caliber reliever. That may be true, but the Red Sox didn't want to pick up his $4 million option in 2015. He eventually re-signed with Boston for one year at $2 million to reprise a similar role.

Breslow appeared in 61 games for Boston (71 games counting the playoffs), posting a career-best 1.81 ERA and 2.7 BB/9, while becoming part of the setup crew late in the season and into the playoffs. There's nothing about his history to suggest that he'll maintain a level of effectiveness to remain in a setup role -- control has been a recurring issue for Breslow -- and we began to see the cracks in the World Series. He has another year on his deal, though, so he'll be part of the bullpen in 2014. Whether he retains the trust of manager John Farrell as a setup man is to be determined.

Breslow had a nice 20-inning run with Boston after he was acquired from Arizona at the trade deadline. He really did not do too much different in 2012, other than becoming the beneficiary of a lower BABIP and not allow any homers while with Boston. Breslow still has trouble with control (career 3.7 BB/9), so he is susceptible to bad luck or long balls. He is one of three left-handers the Red Sox have in their bullpen, so expect some movement in that area before the start of the season.

Breslow saw his BABIP balloon to .345 in 2011, resulting in 69 hits allowed in 59.1 innings after he entered the season with just 90 hits allowed in his last 130 innings. He lost some of his usual effectiveness against lefties, and was shipped to Arizona as part of the Trevor Cahill trade. The drastic shift in home parks kills any sort of hidden value he might have had as a staff filler, but Breslow should take on the role as the primary left-hander for manager Kirk Gibson in 2012 after Rule 5 selection Joe Paterson served as the lone southpaw last season.

Breslow played a prominent role in the A's bullpen in the final month, picking up a handful of saves as the A's were without Andrew Bailey and Michael Wuertz, but he was a solid contributor throughout the season as well. He's shown the ability to limit the hits allowed in his two seasons with the A's, allowing just 90 hits in his last 130 innings pitched, and should continue to be an effective option in the later innings in 2011.

The A's claimed Breslow off waivers in late May after his early-season struggles (1.535 WHIP, 6.28 ERA in 17 appearances) resulted in his release by the Twins. He regained his 2008 form once joining the A's, posting a nifty 0.994 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 55.1 innings. He should continue in his role as the A's primary late-inning lefty, providing some value in those leagues that count holds.

Breslow was released by the Red Sox and Indians before finding a home with the Twins and becoming a key middle reliever. Breslow always had strong strikeout totals in the minors with good control, but couldn't find his niche in a major league bullpen. With the departure of Dennys Reyes, he could becoming the primary left-handed set-up man for Joe Nathan.

Breslow spent the whole season at Triple-A Pawtucket in 2007, where he worked out of the bullpen with moderate success. He has good strikeout totals, but walked more batters than a reliever should. Boston is looking for some late-inning relief help, but Breslow won't be considered. Another season in Triple-A awaits the 27-year-old. Breslow was claimed off waivers by Cleveland in March 2008.

Breslow appeared in 12 games for Boston, mostly in September when the Red Sox faded. His fastball tops out at 90 mph and he's got a plus curve and average changeup. The former captain of Yale's baseball team, he'll need injuries and incompetence to get back to the majors in 2007.

Breslow pitched well in middle relief for the Padres last year. He'll need to limit his walks to land a spot in the back of the pen for 2006, though.

More Fantasy News

Planning to end playing career

PFree Agent

December 17, 2018

Breslow has been engaged in talks with a number of organizations this offseason in joining them in a non-playing role, signaling the end of his pitching career, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.