Pitchers Still Available
With spring training less than two months away, there are still a few good free agent pitchers available --- actually serviceable is probably a more accurate description, maybe adequate at best. "Good" is probably not the right word for any of them except Roger Clemens. Here are some that are left and where they might end up. Now, as I’ve demonstrated in the past, I’m not the most accurate person in making these predictions, but the so-called experts aren’t always right either.
Roger Clemens – Clemens is still unsure if he will play again next year, but I have a feeling he will and it will be with the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers just cleared a whole bunch of salary today by sending Randy Johnson to the Diamondbacks. That gives them the cash to go after Clemens to round out the rotation. Assuming they allow him to stay home in Texas for at least a portion of his off days, the Yankees will make a serious run at him. I don’t think the Astros are true World Series contenders, and Clemens (assuming the cash is equal) will probably move back to the Yankees.
Jeff Weaver – Weaver is probably going to parlay a solid playoff performance into an overpriced contract. That and other pitchers signing big deals recently probably means between $6 million and $8 million a year for Weaver. That’s a ton of money for a guy who was 8-14 in 2006 with a 5.76 ERA. Who is willing to pay that? Probably the Cardinals because they already lost Jeff Suppan and just resigned Chris Carpenter to a reasonable contract.
Tomo Ohka – Ohka missed part of last season with an injury, but should be good to go in 2007. In 2005, his last full season he was a respectable 11-9 with a 4.04 ERA. That is probably good enough for about $5 million a year for a couple of years, and the Mets seem like a possibility. Omar Minaya had Ohka in Montreal and liked him, so assume they’ll be in on any discussions. Having lost out on Barry Zito, Ohka certainly isn’t a replacement, but could vie for a spot in the back end of the rotation. He becomes even more of an option if the Mets can’t swing a trade for a starter anytime soon.
David Wells – Look for Wells to head back to San Diego next season. He can slot in as the fifth starter behind Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux and Clay Hensley. Not sure how much he will make, but probably no more than the $4 million he made a year ago.
Tony Armas – He could end up being cheaper than Jeff Weaver and better. Armas was 9-12 with a 5.03 ERA last season. For his career, his ERA is 4.45. I have to believe if they can sign him for $4 million to $5 million a year for a few years, the Nationals will try to get him to come back to the nation's capital. I mean, they need someone in their rotation. And, if they decide they no longer want him, I’m sure they’ll be able to get something for him at the trade deadline, assuming he is healthy during the first half of the season.
Just a couple of notes – I plan on posting an NFL playoff preview Saturday and NCAA football national championship preview sometime Sunday. Be sure to check back for both of those.
And, in a few weeks, I will start with the insanity and unreliability that is trying to predict the 65 teams for the NCAA basketball tournament.
Roger Clemens – Clemens is still unsure if he will play again next year, but I have a feeling he will and it will be with the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers just cleared a whole bunch of salary today by sending Randy Johnson to the Diamondbacks. That gives them the cash to go after Clemens to round out the rotation. Assuming they allow him to stay home in Texas for at least a portion of his off days, the Yankees will make a serious run at him. I don’t think the Astros are true World Series contenders, and Clemens (assuming the cash is equal) will probably move back to the Yankees.
Jeff Weaver – Weaver is probably going to parlay a solid playoff performance into an overpriced contract. That and other pitchers signing big deals recently probably means between $6 million and $8 million a year for Weaver. That’s a ton of money for a guy who was 8-14 in 2006 with a 5.76 ERA. Who is willing to pay that? Probably the Cardinals because they already lost Jeff Suppan and just resigned Chris Carpenter to a reasonable contract.
Tomo Ohka – Ohka missed part of last season with an injury, but should be good to go in 2007. In 2005, his last full season he was a respectable 11-9 with a 4.04 ERA. That is probably good enough for about $5 million a year for a couple of years, and the Mets seem like a possibility. Omar Minaya had Ohka in Montreal and liked him, so assume they’ll be in on any discussions. Having lost out on Barry Zito, Ohka certainly isn’t a replacement, but could vie for a spot in the back end of the rotation. He becomes even more of an option if the Mets can’t swing a trade for a starter anytime soon.
David Wells – Look for Wells to head back to San Diego next season. He can slot in as the fifth starter behind Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux and Clay Hensley. Not sure how much he will make, but probably no more than the $4 million he made a year ago.
Tony Armas – He could end up being cheaper than Jeff Weaver and better. Armas was 9-12 with a 5.03 ERA last season. For his career, his ERA is 4.45. I have to believe if they can sign him for $4 million to $5 million a year for a few years, the Nationals will try to get him to come back to the nation's capital. I mean, they need someone in their rotation. And, if they decide they no longer want him, I’m sure they’ll be able to get something for him at the trade deadline, assuming he is healthy during the first half of the season.
Just a couple of notes – I plan on posting an NFL playoff preview Saturday and NCAA football national championship preview sometime Sunday. Be sure to check back for both of those.
And, in a few weeks, I will start with the insanity and unreliability that is trying to predict the 65 teams for the NCAA basketball tournament.
posted by Steve Bernard @ 6:10 PM
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