Which pitcher do you want?
by Ed Valentine on Dec 20, 2009 9:08 AM EST
in Analysis
28 comments
Travis mentioned the probability the Yankees will be seeking another starting pitcher in this morning's notebook. So, which guy do you want?
I think everybody left on on the market comes with questions. It's just a matter of which guy is the best gamble. Let's look at the most often mentioned candidates.
- Ben Sheets: Probably the biggest upside, but also a huge injury risk factor. He would likely also be the most expensive option. Missed all of last season with an arm injury, but he has won at least 11 games six times and has a career WHIP of 1.201. A big risk, but possibly the biggest reward.
- Justin Duchscherer: Also missed all of last season with an arm injury. Has two All-Star appearances in his xis-year career, and probably a lower price tag than Sheets. Offers a few things Sheets doesn't. First, all of his experience is in the American League. Second, has proven that he can be effective as both a starter and a reliever so would offer Joe Girardi flexibility.
- Erik Bedard: Talented and left-handed, which are two nice advantages in Yankee Stadium. But, also injury prone and has made only 15 starts in each of the past two seasons. Plus, his toughness has been questioned in both Baltimore and Seattle. That could be a problem in New York.
- Jon Garland: I know 'jscape' loves this guy, but I don't. Sure, he is pretty much a lock for 200 innings, but he is also extremely hittable. With balls flying out of Yankee Stadium like they do, I just don't see him as an effective option.
- Jason Marquis: A 10-year veteran coming off a solid 15-13, 4.04 season (1.38 WHIP). But, Marquis has never pitched in the American League and that is a huge red flag for me.
- Joel Pineiro: Another 10-year veteran coming off a good season where he went 15-12, 3.49 for St. Louis. It was Pineiro's best season since 2003. He has lots of AL experience with Seattle and Boston. Personally, I'm not convinced he can come close to repeating his 2009 season.
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Sheets
For a one year deal with incentives. He has more upside than anyone up there. He’s one of the best in baseball when healthy.I’d go for him.
True
Most upside, if he will take a reasonable deal. I like the idea of Duchscherer, simply because he would be comfortable starting or relieving. I think he’s a better version of Chad Gaudin, and would give the Yanks a lot of options.
by Ed Valentine on Dec 20, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
Duchscherer worries me
because of his previous issues with depression. It may be difficult for him to adjust and pitch well in NY, which is by far the most pressure packed city, and the media can kill you if they don’t like you (A-Rod has had a ton of experience with that). Remember, some players do great in NY, some don’t, for various reasons. I’d rather not take a chance on someone that has had his previous problems in the past.
If Sheets, like you said, would take a reasonable deal, then I’d go for him. Otherwise Pineiro and Bedard would be the other two options for me. I also hope the Yankees at least consider bring Chien-Ming Wang back. He did so much for the team, and it doesn’t seem fair to just give up on him like this.
I completely agree with you on Garland, by the way. WAY too hittable for Yankee Stadium, and the AL.
None of the above
There should be a “none of the above” choice. While I do like Sheets and Ducscherer I’d much rather Joba and Hughes both get the opportunity to start.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Dec 20, 2009 10:20 AM EST reply actions
Duchscherer
Though I prefer Sheets, I think you do have a point. Letting Joba and Hughes start is a high priority for me too. Getting Duchscherer to begin the season as a relief pitcher would allow the Yankees the flexibility they need in the starting spot.
That's why
I like the idea of Duchscherer. If Joba and Phil start, he can contribute in the bullpen. Bring in Sheets and he is healthy (always a question) then either Joba or Phil has to be in the bullpen.
by Ed Valentine on Dec 20, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
Bedard
is the way to go. He can put up ace numbers, is a lefty, and is AL East tested. Ben Sheets is a bigger injury risk, and is only marginally better than Bedard. Duscherer has mental issues, which can make great pitchers mediocre. One or 2 bad starts and Duchscherer will break down. It’s either Sheets or Bedard, and I’m hoping Cashman sees Bedard’s upside.
Bedard
He scares me because both organizations he has played for seemed to consider him “soft.” A guy who wouldn’t always take the ball, and who was perfectly content with a “five and fly” performance. I’m not sure he has the toughness for New York. The talent, yes, but that’s not everything.
by Ed Valentine on Dec 20, 2009 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
Well
we’re not placing all our hopes into him. He works out, fine. But if he doesn’t, we have other options. He will come at a cheap cost and is low-risk, high-reward. If he get’s that “toughness”, then we have ourselves a formidable 1-2-3. If not, we still have Hughes, Joba, and a bunch of AAA pitchers. Plus there’s always Wang.
None
Wait until the following season.2010 2011
I love me some Bedard. He proved he can pitch in the AL East and was a Cy Young candidate while doing it. Sure he has question marks about health, but so do most of the given names, we took a chance on AJ, and he worked out ok, even if Bedard gets hurt we still have options in Phil, Joba, or even Gaudin.
Of the rest I like Sheets the most, but I don’t think he has ever pitched in the AL and while he is ace material, NL to AL aces don’t always work, case and point Javier Vazquez. I do like Duke, but his mental health is a huge question mark with him and I really don’t think he could take the pressure of pitching in New York.
by BadMisterFrosty on Dec 20, 2009 1:00 PM EST reply actions
I agree
I agree to a certain point. Me personally I would have Mo keep grooming Hughes for the closer postion we have the mo wettland thing going and it has proven it can work. We still have gaudin and miltre I mean they aren’t need the studs cc and andy are but they aren’t junk either give them a shoot. All we need is to get one of those pitchers and they end up like a pavano
I like Bedard.
or Sheets.
My preference is for Hughes and Joba to show that they can take the next step. But I think the Yankees need insurance in the rotation.
And isn’t Jarred Washburn still a FA? I’d rather have him over any of these clowns.
"It ain't over till its over"---
3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.
"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"
Washburn
is really not a better option than Sheets or Bedard, or Duchscherer. He is a fly ball pitcher, which will kill the Yankees in Yankee Stadium. He’s an older pitcher. And he’s coming off a second half where he did nothing but assist in the Tigers “Mets like” choke.
Sheets on the other hand, is younger, has “Burnett type” stuff (not quite as good, but he’s got terrific stuff), and is one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy.
I wouldn’t mind going into the season w/ the rotation they have now, but if they’re going to add someone, I don’t think Washburn would be the best option.
Bedard and Sheets may be shot.
They have potential. They also have the potential to be a shell of their former selves. Sheets relied on his 97mph heat and bottom dropping Curve..yet, who knows if its still there? Bedard…ditto
Washburn may have stunk with the Tigers…but he’s a vet. He’s a lot like Andy Pettite.
He’s less of a risk than Sheets and Bedard. Who knows what he asking price is for these guys. Washburn may be cheaper
"It ain't over till its over"---
3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.
"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 20, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
Yes on Washburn
I agree. Washburn is the best free agent pitcher available. He has American League experience and could be a consistent, average fourth starter. His name hasn’t come up at all as a possibility, and I think that must be because he’s too expensive. However, it would be a lot smarter to spend $9 or $10 million per year on a decent, healthy starter than spend $5 or $7 million on an always-injured starter, a starter who didn’t even play last year, a mediocre National League starter who will probably get bombed in Yankee Stadium, or somebody with emotional problems.
by albanyattorney40 on Dec 21, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Anyone
who is injury prone should not even be considered. Don’t any of you remember Pavano? And the majority of you voted for Sheets! Gluttons for punishment…Ridiculous. Piniero is the only logical choice. He seems healthy, had a good year, and has pitched in the AL.
Piniero pitched in the AL...but not good.
He was rejuvenated by Dave Duncan…that should be a 900lb gorilla telling you to stay away.
Sheets and Bedard are low risk, high reward types..or at least that’s what everyone wants with them.
Pavano was only injured as much as he was with the Yankees. Also…he signed a 4yr deal…and no one wants that with Bedard/Sheets.
"It ain't over till its over"---
3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.
"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"
by FreeBradshaw on Dec 20, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
sheets
I would go with sheets. His stuff is nasty and if he says he deserves the big time money let hi earn it in the big time market in the big time division. I say give him a 9-11 mill garentee with a club option at 8-9. Make him take a risk if he is going to make the yankees take a risk. Get your money play in the biggest show in baseball, if he performs then he re establishes his career for all to see but may be called back at a discount, or do shit and have two crappy years in a row and fail for all to see. It becomes a high risk high reward for both sides. But lets face it he is the best pitcher around and the only one worth stalling Hughes and Jobas developement yet another year.
Let's get serious
Duchscherer’s name is too long. And Douche, um, I’m not stomping my feet to that chant.
Garland? He was a good # 4 or # 5 in 2005, right?
Marquis? Your first turn in the AL is in the AL East? Good luck with that.
Bedard rhymes with petard, and Pineiro rhymes with dinero — too silly and too expensive.
Which leaves us with Sheets. He’s the man.
I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque
by LateInningRelief on Dec 20, 2009 9:10 PM EST reply actions
Sorry.
Should have had to blow a breathalyzer before posting that. It’s been a long holiday celebration today. But if everybody knocks back a few glasses of egg nog, then I’m sure you’ll see that my logic is impeccable.
I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque
by LateInningRelief on Dec 20, 2009 9:11 PM EST up reply actions
Skip em all
Go with CC, AJ, Andy, Joba and Gaudin until we’re 5 games back or at the All-Star break — whichever comes first. Then switchout the weak link and bring up Chapman.
Duchscherer over Sheets!
Looks like Ben Sheets is the popular choice for Yankee fans. I can’t blame them, after all Sheets is a former Olympian and is considered a Type-A free agent only if he had been healthy.
Duchscherer is a better pitcher despite also having an injury in 2009. Why? Sheets is prone to more injuries than Duchscherer and Sheets is commanding a higher salary.
yankees are full of crap when it comes to scouting--cashman is a bust!!
cashman you gave up a pitcher that was close to sandy koufax caliber—-your team needed holiday more than your silly hitter! you wonder why yankees struggle in pitching—i have some choice words for you but i would be restricted on internet—i will just say—i have seen nutcases in my day -but you are a ……………………………——-………————…..!!!!!!! i hope steinbrenner gets rid of you cashman. any pitchers out there now are not worth a plum nickel thanks to your ignorance.
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