BP: Starting Pitching Bargain Bin

BP's Dan Wade identifies and analyzes the best of what's left among the crop of Free Agent Starting Pitchers.

Given Sandy's clear 'bargain hunter' mentality when it comes to filling out the staff, there's a good shot he's talking to someone on this list. Can't say I'm blown away by the prospect of Bruce Chen but Justin Duchscherer could be a steal as a starter or late reliever.

over 1 year ago Rob Castellano 8 comments 1 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Duchschererererererererererer

I intended to include him in my AAOP, but his injury concerns worried me enough that I jettisoned the idea all together. When he’s on, he can pitch among All-Stars, as evidenced in 2008. More often than not, though, he’s not on; he’s hurt.

Assuming that Duchscherer only pitches, say, 100 innings or so, a combination of him + “Second-Half Santana” is a much better prospect than Dave Bush + “Second-Half Santana”, or Chris Young + “Second-Half Santana”, because of upside. With Duchscherer, though, he could pitch two games, hurt himself, and get clinically depressed again. There’s way too many variables in his case that would limit his overall effectiveness.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 12, 2011 12:07 PM EST reply actions

.......

Young and Duchscherer are wild cards. A team with a great medical staff might be able to squeeze a few extra starts out of one of these arms,

Well forget us then.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 12, 2011 1:34 PM EST reply actions

I'd chase both

Duck-shearer and Young, the former on a split contract and the latter on something akin to Chris Capuano’s deal though probably higher value.

by deadspy3 on Jan 12, 2011 3:02 PM EST reply actions

Agreed. Sign Duck and Young and hope that two of Capuano, Duck or Young have a great season.

NL wild card here we come!

by ScottfromPeekskill on Jan 12, 2011 3:17 PM EST reply actions

If by "steal" you mean "unlikely to pitch more than a handful of innings, albeit brilliantly",

I couldn’t agree more. But, sure, JD might add a win to the team’s total. Why not?

I’m still waiting for the addition to the starting rotation that means prior to the All-Star break the Mets will be able to send out more than one guy with more than one tolerable season as a starter since 2007. I know that’s being a killjoy and entirely unreasonable, but hey, if the Royals and Pirates can do it…

by Jack Str on Jan 12, 2011 4:12 PM EST reply actions

I think that is being unreasonable, to a degree, since

a component of pitching value is indeed being able to pitch “brilliantly”. I’m not using specific numbers, but a guy who pitches you 50 good innings is better than someone who pitches you 100 crappy innings.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 13, 2011 12:39 AM EST up reply actions

As long as you have enough of guys who can pitch 50 good innings!

Which is what the Mets look like they’re attempting.

by FrancoTAU on Jan 13, 2011 3:59 AM EST up reply actions

I been talking about Dushscherer for awhile now

Agree that he could be a steal, and deserves a serious look. If they are willing to take chances on 2 other guys like Bucholtz and Capuano, why not one more on a guy with more talent then both of them?

by David G on Jan 14, 2011 1:14 PM EST reply actions