:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/921997/20120812_mje_se7_421.0.jpg)
Jeremy Horst at Baseball Reference.
Acquired in one of the lower-profile deals of the 2011-2012 offseason, Horst has proven to be far more valuable than the player he was traded for: 2010 MVP Wilson Valdez. Initially used primarily as a left-handed specialist, before being shifted into a long-man/middle reliever, Horst put together a sparkling 1.15 ERA and 2.39 FIP, and accumulated 0.6 fWAR in only 31.1 innings. His BABIP-allowed was .290, below his career minor league average, but he still racked up 11.49 strikeouts per nine innings, and allowed only a single home run (unusual among the 2012 bullpen staff).
When compared to Valdez's 2012 OPS of .463, Horst put the "should of kept" nonsense to bed in a hurry.
On to the interview.
1. How did you let your teammates down this season?
By not being called up until June 28, when veteran setup guy Chad Qualls had led them to a 36-42 record.
2. How did you let your manager and GM down this season?
By accidentally carrying off Juan Pierre instead of Chad Qualls.
3. What do you have to say to all the fans you let down this season?
I apologize for Chad Qualls. In fairness, I'm not Chad Qualls.
4. On a scale of Qualls to 10, Qualls being the worst, how do you rate on the "it's my fault were in this freaking mess and missed the playoffs scale"
Qualls.
5. In 2013, if given the chance to be the veteran eighth-inning guy, how likely would you be to change your name to Chad Qualls?
I'd give it a 50-50 chance.