Wanted: Replacement for Ace Starter

by Ronster22 on Jun 16, 2008 2:42 PM EDT Comment 8 comments

Tonight I'm going to Harbor Park here in Norfolk, VA to watch our Tides go to battle with SWB Yankees. In the wake of the Wang injury, I may be watching his replacement--Jeff Karstens, the likely starter.

Karstens has pitched better than his record would suggest. In fact, had it not been for getting blown up against Pawtucket, he's actually been quite solid.

I'm also eager to see some of our other vaunted talent and judge for myself if we are victims of Yankee hyberbole, or sitting on a gold-mine of real talent. I pray it's the latter.

Assuming the Wang injury is severe enough to warrant a multi-month recovery, I'm curious to see what's floating in the heads of fellow PA'ers regarding a suitable replacement.

If Wang is down for significant time, does it signal a packaging up of unproven talent for a middling, innings eater? Or do we think we can get by with a Karstens, Marquez, or Igawa?

Hughes and IPK are not likely to return until August, so if Wang is down, we will certainly need a replacement. Thoughts?

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Let's keep calm

Play to the All-Atar break and see where we are.

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)

by Cbeck3 on Jun 16, 2008 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

one thing we don't do

is seriously consider Igawa. Even medium-term (as in, through the end of August), the best of Geise, Karstens, Kennedy, and Hughes is better than Igawa.

by long time listener on Jun 16, 2008 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Igawa ...

was more of a joke. I couldn’t resist throwing him into the mix. What about … Pavano? Isn’t he about due for a return?

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jun 16, 2008 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We lose our ace and you're looking for an innings eater?

I love when baseball fans and the media talk about “innings eaters.” Nearly 100% of the time this is another name for a below average starter. Just what this mediocre staff without Wang needs to compete for a playoff start. So when exactly are we supposed to reap the benefits of the great trades of Sheffield and Johnson to help re-stock the farm system? Hank said before spring training that we were built to win this season and the next 10 years. Well it isn’t happening this season and I’d be willing to bet a whole lot of money it’ll be the same next year.

by mickeymantle1956 on Jun 16, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is your name pfisty?

I love this gloom and doom stuff. It makes me laugh

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)

by Cbeck3 on Jun 16, 2008 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know what kind of options

are really out there and what options we wish were out there.

It would be upseting if we were to lose the momentum that we (finally) are finally picking up. I think Giese has earned at least a start or two to see if he can perform as a starter at this level.

I would prefer not to trade for a rental because it seems like teams have been paying just as much for 1 year as other teams pay for someone with years on their contract.

My gut is to stand pat. Unless we can pull something out of nowhere like the Abreu trade last year.

Crowds are won and lost and won again, but our hearts beat for the diehards.

by Edwantsacracker on Jun 16, 2008 11:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs