Available Starting Pitchers

by NEILINATOR on Jan 8, 2011 2:37 PM EST

The Yankees need some help with starting pitching, especially if Andy Pettitte decides to retire. According to the ESPN free-agent tracker, the following free agents starting pitchers are available.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/freeagents/_/type/available/position/sp

Of those players, I think the Yankees should take a look at the following:

Ben Sheets and Dave Bush seem to be the most intriguing in my opinion.

Anybody else that could contribute to the Yankees?

Poll

Should the Yankees sign any of these players, if so who? If not, explain.

Dave Bush

2 votes

Chris Capuano

3 votes

Bruce Chen

6 votes

Justin Duchscherer

27 votes

Jeff Francis

35 votes

Freddy Garcia

46 votes

Brad Penny

5 votes

Ben Sheets

28 votes

Other

8 votes

Nobody (look inside organization for answers)

45 votes

205 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 39 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Chris Capuano is a Met.

Writer for Pinstripe Alley, MLB Daily Dish
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by Brandon C. on Jan 8, 2011 3:35 PM EST reply actions

The worst thing the Yankees could do is guarantee a spot to any of the free agent pitchers. I still think that the Yankees have a trade in the works, and if not they will make one before the deadline. At least I hope that. There is no harm in giving a minor league deal to any of the following pitchers, even with an out clause like the Moseley deal:

Jeremy Bonderman
Jeff Francis
Freddy Garcia
John Maine
Chris Young

Writer for Pinstripe Alley, MLB Daily Dish
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by Brandon C. on Jan 8, 2011 3:41 PM EST reply actions

I'm fine with them making a trade for a pitcher at the deadline

But only if they need to. Even if Andy retires they may not need to. If CC, AJ and Hughes are solid at the top and Nova can give the Yankees a decent rookie year, then they really don’t need to make a move for a big time starter in my mind. Hang onto the prospects and the money and use it for something they really need next offseason.

However, if they find that Nova is doing bad or AJ is struggling to return to form or someone gets hurt, then a move may be necessary. Should that happen the trade had better not include Jesus Montero. There’s like 2-3 players in baseball I’d be willing to include Montero in a deal for. And none of them are gonna be available any time soon.

"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot."- Kobe Bryant

Please come back Andy!

by nyyrocks29 on Jan 8, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

I meant if Pettitte retires I want them to make a trade, but not for some scrub, someone they can get relatively cheap that can fill in the third starter spot. If that pitcher isn’t available, which it probably won’t be, then I’m also fine with Nova/Phelps taking the 4,5 spots and Burnett taking the 3 spot.

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by Brandon C. on Jan 8, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

These pitchers are scrubs

Look inside the organization to try and fill the spot. If Andy retires, then maybe I’d consider one or two of them. But if comes back, give the last spot to Nova or Phelps. If he doesn’t come back, I still may want to give it to someone in the organization.

I do know I’d take any of these guys over Sergio Mitre though.

"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot."- Kobe Bryant

Please come back Andy!

by nyyrocks29 on Jan 8, 2011 3:53 PM EST reply actions

Sergio Mitre>Bruce Chen.

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by Brandon C. on Jan 8, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

Sergio Mitre>Sidney Ponson

CRAWWL MEAT!!

by Brian5517209 on Jan 8, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

LOL

ARE YOU SERIOUS? Only one on here to be considered is Jeff Francis. That is because with only one left handed starter he would make another manager switch his line up if he came on in relief.

by djoep2000 on Jan 8, 2011 4:05 PM EST reply actions

screw Dave Bush

maybe we can get Matt Bush

CRAWWL MEAT!!

by Brian5517209 on Jan 8, 2011 4:47 PM EST reply actions

excuse me...

MATT F***ING BUSH!

CRAWWL MEAT!!

by Brian5517209 on Jan 8, 2011 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

Reggie Bush.

Yes, well when I see five weirdo's dressed in togas stabbing a guy in the middle of the park in full view of a hundred people, I shoot the bastards, that's my policy.

by MattF15 on Jan 8, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

not good enough hands

CRAWWL MEAT!!

by Brian5517209 on Jan 8, 2011 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

maybe as a pinch runner

CRAWWL MEAT!!

by Brian5517209 on Jan 8, 2011 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

Billy Bush?

Yes, well when I see five weirdo's dressed in togas stabbing a guy in the middle of the park in full view of a hundred people, I shoot the bastards, that's my policy.

by MattF15 on Jan 8, 2011 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

yes

CRAWWL MEAT!!

by Brian5517209 on Jan 8, 2011 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

George W Bush. He has some time on his hands.

by designatedquitter on Jan 11, 2011 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

designated first-pitch-thrower-outer?

CRAWWL MEAT!!

by Brian5517209 on Jan 11, 2011 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

I'm pretty sure Ben Sheets had shoulder surgery and is out until 2012

Section 203 Row 15 Seat 1

by jramey on Jan 8, 2011 8:08 PM EST reply actions

I said this last year

The Yankees have had a hard on for Jarrod Washburn in the past trying to trade for him in the other Seattle debacle and I can see them working him out and low balling him. Last I saw he was unsigned and unretired. Not saying it’s a good thing but I would not be one bit surprised.

Anyone else wonder if Damons bed is one of those WWE ring with ropes sleeper? I'm looking for volunters to try out my new taser (only bandwagoners need apply).

by cashman bashman on Jan 8, 2011 8:46 PM EST reply actions

I’d be interested in Penny. He can pitch solid, then get hurt, and by then Phelps, Noesi, Brackman or someone else should be ready.

Mike Marra is the worst Division 1 Starter in college basketball

by TheRealSlimShady on Jan 8, 2011 10:34 PM EST reply actions

Derek Holland

Not a FA but Texas hates him for some reason and was rumored as a possible trade piece for Garza (and I’m not sure I would have done that straight up if I’m Texas. I think Holland can be real good).

RU RAH RAH
RU RAH RAH

by Discofever on Jan 9, 2011 12:48 AM EST reply actions

Here's my list

Nova
Brackman
Betances
Phelps
Banuelos
Chamberlain

There's always next year

by david d on Jan 9, 2011 1:15 AM EST reply actions

Agreed about using young guys, but Banuelos and Betances are definitely not ready for the bigs. Are you ok with the Yankees signing scrubs to minor league deals and having the youngsters battle it out with them?

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by Brandon C. on Jan 9, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

Not really

I’d rather give the young arms some experience than waste time with a scrub who would cost a little more and contribute nothing. I know everybody keeps saying Banuelos and Betances aren’t ready, but that’s based on what, age? Innings? We should give them the opportunity to win a spot in the rotation this Spring. If they don’t make it, then by May or June each should at least be brought up for a few appearances. Ya never know, Kershaw and Hernandez were quite young and have done pretty well. There have been lots of 19/20 year old’s over the years who have done well. What’s the worst that could happen? They get some MLB experience.

There's always next year

by david d on Jan 9, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

Innings. I don’t want their arms falling off in the middle of games, it’s not smart management. I’d love to see them go straight to the MLB as much as the next guy, but that’s just not going to happen. I’d rather see them for the next 10 years than see them this year then see them get TJ surgery, etc.

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by Brandon C. on Jan 9, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

I disagree. Their arms could fall off in the Minors just as well as in the Majors. Is pitching different in MLB? I don’t think so. What’s the difference pitching innings at the MLB level instead of in the Minors? I don’t get that argument, please explain. To me if you pitch 120 innings in the Minors or 120 innings in the Majors it’s the same thing.

There's always next year

by david d on Jan 9, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions

In the minors

they can limit innings easier. If they are pitching in the majors it’s difficult to both limit their innings and not have too much of an effect on the major league team. The minor league team as far as winning games is not as important as developing players. But if you’re counting on Betences or Banuelos to pitch a lot of innings in 2011, you’ll either a) hurt his arm by throwing him too much or b) put him on an innings limit and affect the success of the Yankees.

In a major league rotation you don’t want anybody pitching who can’t throw at least 160-170 innings in the majors.

"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot."- Kobe Bryant

Please come back Andy!

by nyyrocks29 on Jan 9, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

^What he said.

Also, the average starter starts about 28 starts a year, right? Bad wording, I know. Let’s say that Banuelos pitched 25 starts a year. If he went 5 innings each of those starts he would still be over the 120 innings mark. (125)

Just not worth it to work the bullpen every one of his starts and not give him the proper development.

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by Brandon C. on Jan 9, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

Like I said

Who said they can’t do it? If they’re good enough to succeed in the Majors…Pitch ’em.

There's always next year

by david d on Jan 9, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions

it's just not smart

the Minors and the Majors are very different. In the minors a pitcher is expected to pitch 5 innings or so, in the Majors 5 innings is just ok. Also it’s not about innings, innings mean nothing. it’s about pitch count. In the Minors a good pitcher can throw less pitches because of the spreading of talent. Major leaguers are obviously better and therefore a pitcher would require more pitchers per batter to get them out because players usually develop patience and pitch recognizing with experience.

Look at the Japanese leagues, even though an inning is still an inning, they’re completely different due to talent dispersal, physical discrepancies on the field (mount height, ball, park size etc) and Japanese pitchers pitch once a week and never gain the arm strength they need for the mlb. In the minors a pitcher isn’t thrown into the same circumstances that he would see in the majors, they treat him with kids gloves so you can’t just say “throw him in the ocean and see what happens” He would sink

Also look at Ivan Nova, while he might not be the rule, he is definitely an example. As good as he was at times he showed his severe lack of experience and maturity when he couldn’t keep his composure with men on base. You need to learn that in time, you learn composure and you learn how to pitch intelligently to become a pitcher rather than a thrower. the MLB is not the place to throw someone in and hope he picks these things up before too long. Patience is the order of the day.

Is there a chance they could cut it? Absolutely, it’s been done before, but it shouldn’t be expected because more often than not development takes time. They should get a chance in spring training but unless they blow minds they’re better served for the long run in the minors where they can continue to progress at a normal rate.

by jetanumba2 on Jan 10, 2011 3:12 PM EST up reply actions

Your last paragraph

is pretty much a summation of what I’m saying. If they can pitch, give them a chance. Because…you never know when you might find lightning in a bottle. We’ll never know without giving them the opportunity. Of course they should get sent back down if they don’t impress. But if they do? Pitch ’em.

There's always next year

by david d on Jan 10, 2011 3:25 PM EST up reply actions