After a career year that finally paired his superior skills with terrific results, James Shields (RHP, TAM) entered 2012 with high expectations. And while he's been effective, Shields hasn't performed as many expected...

It would be easy to write off Mike Minor (LHP, ATL) given his bad surface stats. But he's closer to emerging than it may appear. All of his problems have come in this situation.

A little speed, some would-be closers, and some guys back from minor league exile. Come on in, and bring your FAAB.

In 2010, little-heard-of Andres Torres (OF, NYM) took over the CF job at AT&T Park and provided some surprising offensive punch for San Francisco's playoff run. Two years later, Gregor Blanco (OF, SF) is trying to come from nowhere and fill the same role. And so far he's doing a good Torres impersonation.

When Andy Pettitte (LHP, NYY) walked into the sunset after the 2010 season, it looked like he had ended his career with 240 wins. But retirement apparently didn’t set well with Pettitte, who returned to the mound this spring. Even with a year off, he hasn’t skipped a beat.

Just a short list of non-closers who will provide a profit over the balance of 2012.

Jay Bruce (OF, CIN) entered the season with high expectations—coming off his first 30-HR season, good xBA trend, still just 25—but a .229 May BA raised some questions. But he's back to his old stroke in the first 10 days of June.

We look for batters over- and underperforming BA and PX.

In parts of the past three seasons, Michael Brantley (OF, CLE) gave the impression that he is most effective in a platoon role. This season, however, Brantley is showing he may have been shortchanged by this assessment and has taken advantage of fulltime duties...

Bud Norris (RHP, HOU) is an adjustment vs. lefties away from becoming a top-tier starting pitcher.

Injuries create free agent opportunities. Some healthy players have been coming back. Are they worth spending on?