Hello, my name is: Brad Ziegler

How this works

Every other day, from now through to Christmas, we'll open up discussion on a particular player who made a meaningful contribution to the 2014 Diamondbacks. [I've drawn the line at 125 PA or 20 innings] There will be two sections. Firstly, a poll where you rate them from 5 ("Highly satisfied") down to 1 ("Very dissatisfied"): it's entirely up to you what criteria you use for the number. Secondly, the comments below, where you can talk about the reasons for your vote, etc. Things to discuss include, but are not limited to:

• Pre-season expectations 
  
• 2014 performance: strengths and weaknesses, etc. 
  
• Health and other mitigating factors 
  
• How they'll help the team in 2015, their role, etc.

Three days down the line, we'll collate the votes, calculate a final average score, and write up the consensus of SnakePit thought into an appraisal. Here is a quick overview of today's candidate for your consideration.

Additional bonus! Going forward. we'll also have a "Comment of the Thread" for the appraisal, so please rec the comments you find insightful, funny, or whatever.

Brad Ziegler - RHP

• DOB: 10/10/1979
  
• 2014 salary: $4,500,000
  
• 2014 performance: 68 G, 67 IP, 54:24 K:BB, 3.49 ERA, 5-3 record, 108 ERA+
  
• 2014 value: 0.3 bWAR, 0.2 fWAR

After three seasons where Ziegler was among the best relievers in baseball, this year wasn't quite as good. His K-rate did reach a career high of 7.3/nine IP, but so did his HR rate: he allowed as many home-runs as in the previous three seasons combined. Interestingly, he was also used less often as a "fireman", 85% of his games saw Ziegler coming in with the bases empty, compared to 66% in 2012-13. But he still saw plenty of pressure situations - his average leverage index of 1.80 was highest on the team, even above closer Addison Reed (1.67). Brad turned 35 in October, and is under contract at $5m for next season, with a 2016 team option of $5.5m.