Free Agent SP's in the Playoffs

[beck72]

I posted these stats on possible FA SP's that might be good for the sox. Seeing how Radke, Perez and Ortiz did poorly in the playoffs, and Lieber hasn't lit it up yet either, does that mean the sox should only go after Pavano, Clement or Lowe? It's hard to say. I've always liked Clement. Pavano should go elsewhere. Lowe seems like a 4th or 5th SP. Yet you can't just write off the SP's who threw poorly in the playoffs.

 

I think Radke would be a solid pickup, and win a lot of games during the year. He may not be a #1 or #2 SP for the playoffs, but a solid SP. Though he may give up a lot of HR's in the Cell, as he's not a GB pitcher. Ortiz' control is and has been an issue. Those walks in the Cell would turn into 2 and 3 run HR's. Perez did horrible in the playoffs. But what hurt him was the BB's [which was uncharacteristic for him, as the stats showed.] He could easily have been over-pumped, which could explain his loss of control. He seemed to be throwing everything hard. With Perez's poor performance, his FA price will be lower. One thing is for certain, Joey Cora should be able to pump his bro ALex for inside info on Odalis, to see if he's a good fit for the sox. [i did read that their were questions about Perez's weight]. Joey should be able to give Ozzie and KW the inside scoop on Odalis.

 

One thing to consider, besides Pavano, which FA SP is capable of pitching in game 1 or game 2 of the playoffs? I don't know if any of them are. Radke and Perez tried but fared poorly. But can the others win a lot of games during the reg. season, stay healthy and keep their team competitive? I think Perez, Radke and clement all fit the bill.

 

QS

1. Pavano 73% 30/22

1. Radke 73% 34/ 24

3. Perez 68% 31/ 21

4. Lieber 62% 26/ 16

5. Clement 60% 30/ 18

6. Ortiz 58% 33/ 19

7. Lowe 39% 31/ 12

 

GB/ FB

1. Lowe 3.31

2. Perez 1.68

3. Clement 1.41

4. Lieber 1.37

5. Pavano 1.31

6. Radke 1.02

7. Ortiz 1.01

 

SO/ 9

1. Clement 9.45

2. Ortiz 6.42

3. Radke 5.91

4. Perez 5.83

5. Pavano 5.68

6. Lowe 5.20

7. Lieber 5.11

 

bb/ 9

1. Lieber 0.95

2. Radke 1.01

3. Perez 2.01

4. Pavano 2.05

5. Lowe 3.43

6. Clement 3.68

7. Ortiz 4.96

 

ERA

1. Pavano 3.05

2. Perez 3.35

3. Radke 3.48

4. Clement 3.68

5. Ortiz 4.19

6. Lieber 4.37

7. Lowe 5,25

 

BAA

1. Clement .229

2. Pavano .252

3 Perez .253

4 Ortiz .258

5 Radke .265

6 Lowe .293

7. Lieber .298

***************************************************

Here's how they totalled.

1. Odalis Perez- 17

2. Carl Pavano -18

3. Brad Radke -20

3. Matt Clement -20

5. Jon Lieber -29

6. Russ Ortiz -31

7. Derek Lowe -32

[qwerty]

I posted these stats on possible FA SP's that might be good for the sox. Seeing how Radke, Perez and Ortiz did poorly in the playoffs, and Lieber hasn't lit it up yet either, does that mean the sox should only go after Pavano, Clement or Lowe? It's hard to say. I've always liked Clement. Pavano should go elsewhere. Lowe seems like a 4th or 5th SP. Yet you can't just write off the SP's who threw poorly in the playoffs.

 

I think Radke would be a solid pickup, and win a lot of games during the year. He may not be a #1 or #2 SP for the playoffs, but a solid SP. Though he may give up a lot of HR's in the Cell, as he's not a GB pitcher. Ortiz' control is and has been an issue. Those walks in the Cell would turn into 2 and 3 run HR's. Perez did horrible in the playoffs. But what hurt him was the BB's [which was uncharacteristic for him, as the stats showed.] He could easily have been over-pumped, which could explain his loss of control. He seemed to be throwing everything hard. With Perez's poor performance, his FA price will be lower. One thing is for certain, Joey Cora should be able to pump his bro ALex for inside info on Odalis, to see if he's a good fit for the sox. [i did read that their were questions about Perez's weight]. Joey should be able to give Ozzie and KW the inside scoop on Odalis.

 

One thing to consider, besides Pavano, which FA SP is capable of pitching in game 1 or game 2 of the playoffs? I don't know if any of them are. Radke and Perez tried but fared poorly. But can the others win a lot of games during the reg. season, stay healthy and keep their team competitive? I think Perez, Radke and clement all fit the bill.

 

QS

1. Pavano 73% 30/22

1. Radke 73% 34/ 24

3. Perez 68% 31/ 21

4. Lieber 62% 26/ 16

5. Clement 60% 30/ 18

6. Ortiz 58% 33/ 19

7. Lowe 39% 31/ 12

 

GB/ FB

1. Lowe 3.31

2. Perez 1.68

3. Clement 1.41

4. Lieber 1.37

5. Pavano 1.31

6. Radke 1.02

7. Ortiz 1.01

 

SO/ 9

1. Clement 9.45

2. Ortiz 6.42

3. Radke 5.91

4. Perez 5.83

5. Pavano 5.68

6. Lowe 5.20

7. Lieber 5.11

 

bb/ 9

1. Lieber 0.95

2. Radke 1.01

3. Perez 2.01

4. Pavano 2.05

5. Lowe 3.43

6. Clement 3.68

7. Ortiz 4.96

 

ERA

1. Pavano 3.05

2. Perez 3.35

3. Radke 3.48

4. Clement 3.68

5. Ortiz 4.19

6. Lieber 4.37

7. Lowe 5,25

 

BAA

1. Clement .229

2. Pavano .252

3 Perez .253

4 Ortiz .258

5 Radke .265

6 Lowe .293

7. Lieber .298

***************************************************

Here's how they totalled.

1. Odalis Perez- 17

2. Carl Pavano -18

3. Brad Radke -20

3. Matt Clement -20

5. Jon Lieber -29

6. Russ Ortiz -31

7. Derek Lowe -32

Nice post. But as cheat realized yesterday the yankees have a team option for lieber. Seems pretty certain that they will resign him at least at this moment.

 

I myself would like to go after radke or lowe because i feel like they are the most realistic fit and best fit for our park.

[Chisoxfn]

If I recall the team option isn't what you would consider cheap. I'm not positive, I may be off and its 3.5 mill, but I was thinking it was more along the lines of 5-6 million which may not be as much of a guarantee.

 

With a few good pitchers out their, the Yanks could use this time as an opportunity to sign two younger starters that can be around for a while. Then again they could go after Pavano and Pedro.

 

However, if Liebers option is declined I think the Sox should look at him. He knows how to pitch and should be even better this year, considering he'll be 100% entering the season.

[qwerty]

If I recall the team option isn't what you would consider cheap.  I'm not positive, I may be off and its 3.5 mill, but I was thinking it was more along the lines of 5-6 million which may not be as much of a guarantee.

 

With a few good pitchers out their, the Yanks could use this time as an opportunity to sign two younger starters that can be around for a while.  Then again they could go after Pavano and Pedro. 

 

However, if Liebers option is declined I think the Sox should look at him.  He knows how to pitch and should be even better this year, considering he'll be 100% entering the season.

The option is for 8 million. But i feel they do not want what happened to them this year happen again next year. I mean brown is injury prone as is orlando hernandez. Mussina is also getting up there in age. Main thing is they are the yankees and have the many to spend.

[Guest JimH]

A message posted on one of the other boards says the Sox will probably pursue Matt Clement.

 

Don't know how reliable the poster is, he says he has a close business associate who works for the Sox. I do know the poster has full season tickets, for what that's worth.

 

I worry about Clement being healthy, but I guess I worry about every pitcher the Sox acquire being healthy.

 

One good thing about Clement, he's got that nasty slider and he strikes out a lot of guys.

[southsider2k5]

A message posted on one of the other boards says the Sox will probably pursue Matt Clement.

 

Don't know how reliable the poster is, he says he has a close business associate who works for the Sox.  I do know the poster has full season tickets, for what that's worth.

 

I worry about Clement being healthy, but I guess I worry about every pitcher the Sox acquire being healthy.

 

One good thing about Clement, he's got that nasty slider and he strikes out a lot of guys.

I'd love Clement, IF he is healthy. He had a big drop in velocity at the end of the year, and fell out of the rotation. With the big surgery he had before, I don't know that I would touch him though....

[3E8]

In the other thread, I advocated going after Lowe. Do you guys think he could turn things around and be an effective starting pitcher again? Beck's analysis really shows how awful 2004 was for him.

[qwerty]

In the other thread, I advocated going after Lowe.  Do you guys think he could turn things around and be an effective starting pitcher again?  Beck's analysis really shows how awful 2004 was for him.

I feel he can have an era right around 4 once out of boston. I don't think he will ever have an era in the 2's or even 3's again as a starting pitcher.

[He_Gawn]

Right now I'm going with either Lowe or Pavano. Lowe would thrive here.

[Lefty Of Love]

A message posted on one of the other boards says the Sox will probably pursue Matt Clement.

 

Don't know how reliable the poster is, he says he has a close business associate who works for the Sox.  I do know the poster has full season tickets, for what that's worth.

 

I worry about Clement being healthy, but I guess I worry about every pitcher the Sox acquire being healthy.

 

One good thing about Clement, he's got that nasty slider and he strikes out a lot of guys.

I saw that post as well on the ChiSox message board.

 

The most pertainent question about Clement is obviously his health. Had he made his final two starts, however, he would've started the same number of games as 2002 and 2003, and would've come close to the same # of IP....that being said, is it likely he wore down over the long haul?

 

His ERA maintained around the low 3's for most of the season until he started to struggle in August. In fact, he allowed a season-high 6 ER in the beginning of August, and it was only once he gave up so many earned runs. Additionally, in a hitters' park such as Wrigley, he allowed a decent 23 HR's, something which will be of concern to any pitcher coming to USCF.

 

In all, his K numbers are very good, and he was on the receiving end of more than a few bad-luck losses (where he pitched 6+ innings and allowed only 1 or 2 runs).

 

IMO, he's unlikely to make more (or at least significantly more) than his $6m this year...at 30 years old, I think the guy would make a pleasant addition to the Sox's rotation.

[AddisonStSox]

Do Lowe and Clement scare the hell out of anyone else? I just got a bad feeling...

 

Todd Ritchie anyone?

[beck72]

Nice post. But as cheat realized yesterday the yankees have a team option for lieber. Seems pretty certain that they will resign him at least at this moment.

 

I myself would like to go after radke or lowe because i feel like they are the most realistic fit and best fit for our park.

NY's option for Lieber is $8 mill. Likely to be rejected. He's worth $3-5 mill tops. They are supposedly high in Eric Milton though.

 

Radke's GB/ FB ratio is near 1.0 for his career. But with his low BB total, he'd be a good fit for the Sox. Minn will likely resign him, as they only have Santana and Silva in their rotation

[qwerty]

Do Lowe and Clement scare the hell out of anyone else?  I just got a bad feeling...

 

Todd Ritchie anyone?

Derek lowe and matt clement>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ritchie.

[beck72]

In the other thread, I advocated going after Lowe.  Do you guys think he could turn things around and be an effective starting pitcher again?  Beck's analysis really shows how awful 2004 was for him.

Was Lowe injured at all? With his big drop off, one has to wonder.

[beck72]

A message posted on one of the other boards says the Sox will probably pursue Matt Clement.

 

Don't know how reliable the poster is, he says he has a close business associate who works for the Sox.  I do know the poster has full season tickets, for what that's worth.

 

I worry about Clement being healthy, but I guess I worry about every pitcher the Sox acquire being healthy.

 

One good thing about Clement, he's got that nasty slider and he strikes out a lot of guys.

Clement would be steady if healthy.

[beck72]

I'd love Clement, IF he is healthy.  He had a big drop in velocity at the end of the year, and fell out of the rotation.  With the big surgery he had before, I don't know that I would touch him though....

What big surgery did Clement have? I wasn't aware he was hurt before

[qwerty]

Was Lowe injured at all? With his big drop off, one has to wonder.

I heard his mechanics were just really f***ed up.

[3E8]

I heard his mechanics were just really f***ed up.

I heard this also. He said it wasn't mental, purely mechanical. Who knows if Coop could fix that. He'd probably make it worse. Lowe is basically a one-pitch pitcher, maybe the league just figured him out after that one year of brilliance.

[AddisonStSox]

My *dreamy* yet realistic pitching aquisition would land Pavano to a long term deal.

 

-Anyone that has watched him for awhile knows he is legit. His stuff is awesome and only getting better...he is an inning eater...and he has all the mental makeups to be a premier pitcher in this league for a long, long time; he also has a great relationship with Ozzie.

 

Radke would also be a great pickup for all the same reasons you guys have already said.

 

Clement and Lowe though...I don't know, I just have a bad feeling. In this league it is very possible to suddenly (or not so suddenly) lose your stuff. I think that has already happened to Lowe, and I don't think Clement will ever be as dominating as he has been the past few years. Signing either one of those two to a long term deal would scare the hell out of me...signing either Pavano or Radke wouldn't. I think a Buehrle/Garcia/Pavano/Contreras/Garland rotation could be the BEST in the bigs...not one of the best...the best. I also wouldn't pass that off as impossible, Kenny has already locked up Freddy, he may want to snag Pavano long-term also.

[qwerty]

I heard this also.  He said it wasn't mental, purely mechanical.  Who knows if Coop could fix that.  He'd probably make it worse.  Lowe is basically a one-pitch pitcher, maybe the league just figured him out after that one year of brilliance.

This is what you ae talking about i think.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1836566

[beck72]

I have heard talk about Lowe going to Detroit, as he's from that area. But I haven't paid much attention to him.

 

But the Sox shouldn't go for another "project" pitcher to fill out the rotation. they already have two in Jon and Jose.

[AddisonStSox]

But the Sox shouldn't go for another "project" pitcher to fill out the rotation. they already have two in Jon and Jose.

Right on.

[3E8]

I just assumed we wouldn't get Pavano. I don't want to get my hopes up, I can't see it happening.

[Punch and Judy Garland]

I like the idea of getting Odalis (his dreadful October aside) He's a low-whip guy too. Sure, his era might rise abit leaving Chavez-Ravine, but he's still pretty young and I think he'd be good here. Maybe our Latin contingent would bring him in slightly below market value (how's 3 years/24 million sound?) I think if we get a Clement/Lowe/Pavano/Perez type it will be that type of contract, and I wouldn't count on Pavano taking it. I'd like to get Pedro and his 28 inch little friend but that's in the video game world

[3E8]

The transition for starting pitchers from the NL to AL could be rough.