Felix Doubront

It seems like we've been hearing about Doubront forever, but it just doesn't look like it's going to happen for him. He's been kicking around since beginning his career at rookie ball in 2006, and he's pitched in parts of the last five seasons for the Red Sox and Cubs, but he's never showed any sustained success at the big-league level, with his 11-6 record and 4.32 ERA in 2013 being the high point of his career. While he did start four games for the Cubs after he was traded by Boston in July, it's doubtful he'll spend any time in the Cubs' rotation in 2015. If he even sticks with the team, he's more likely to appear as a long man or garbage-time reliever barring a miraculous turnaround under the tutelage of Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio.

Doubront had a relatively successful season as Boston's fifth starter, but continued to exhibit familiar traits. For the second straight season, he had a stretch in which his velocity was down and he was dropped from the rotation for a few turns. He again had trouble putting away hitters on two-strike counts, resulting in high pitch counts and early removals. In between, there were stretches where he may have been Boston's best starter, and he had a nice showing as a multi-inning reliever in the postseason. Heading into 2014, he's one of six available starters under contract and is expected to begin the season as the fifth starter.

Doubront, who has been considered a rising starter within the organization the past three years, was coming off a poor 2011 that raised questions about his commitment and conditioning. Facing an early-career crossroads, Doubront won a starting job out of spring training and was probably Boston's most consistent starter from April through July. Command is an issue for Doubront, who averaged a little more than five innings per start and was unable to put hitters away early. Despite this, he had a staff-leading 10 wins by mid-July. It was that point, roughly coinciding with a career-high number of innings, where Doubront's season started to turn sour. After some shaky outings where it looked like he might be shut down, Doubront survived to finish the season in Boston's rotation and is slotted in to start in 2013.

Doubront took a big step back in 2011. There were questions about his conditioning coming into spring training before he sustained an elbow injury that delayed his preparation. Later, he experienced in-season groin and hamstring injuries and never developed a flow. It's too bad for his career, as the Red Sox really needed a starter last year. He enters 2012 with plenty of bullets in the arm, having thrown just 77.1 innings last season. There are two spots open in the starting rotation, so there's an opportunity for Doubront, provided he's healthy and professional enough to take care of his body. If that doesn't work out for him, being a lefty doesn't hurt when it comes to snagging a bullpen job.

Doubront continued his steady ascension within the organization, moving up to Triple-A Pawtucket in 2010. He has a first-rate changeup/fastball combo and improved his curveball offering. He had three starts and pitched out of the bullpen for Boston in 2010 before a pectoral muscle injury put the skids on his season. An elbow injury delayed his training in spring, so any shot of him making Boston's roster as a starter or reliever is gone. As of the start of the regular season, there isn't a spot in Boston's starting rotation, so if he's to make an impact in the majors, it will be in Boston's bullpen or as fill in for an injured starter. If he continues to post good results at Triple-A, he'll be a trade-able asset and could emerge in another team's starting rotation.

Doubront's first full season at Double-A showed continued development for the undrafted international free agent from Venezuela. Hurt by the long ball early in his career, Doubront has shown improvement in giving up less homers in the past two seasons. Although he experienced a significant loss of control (3.9 BB/9IP), Doubront's poised demeanor on the mound helped prevent the walks from hurting him and he posted a career-best 3.35 ERA in 121 innings. He's expected to make the jump to Triple-A at some point in 2010 if he doesn't begin the season there. He could become much more important to the organization if it includes higher pitching prospects in offseason trades.

Doubront earned a late-season promotion to High-A Lancaster after a nice bounce-back season for Low-A Greenville (12-8, 118:24 K:BB, 115 H, 115.1 IP). He was able to keep the ball down and lowered his home-run rate from 2007, when there were some minor injuries. Doubront mixes in a good curve and improving slider to make his high-80s fastball (topping at 91 mph) more effective, and rarely misses his spots. A flawless motion and deceptive delivery makes the fastball seem quicker. The Red Sox have moved him up to Double-A Portland to begin the 2009 season.