Got a need for a pitcher and don't feel like dropping $45-$150 million dollars on a deal? I have put together a little list of free agent bargains for this off season. Some are coming off injury, some are in the twilight of their career, and some are just mediocre innings eaters. Regardless, all teams need pitching and some cannot afford or do not want to afford the big names. Inevitably, 2 or 3 of these guys could pan out in 2009 to be a decent pick up, if not a great pick up. Therein lies the dilemma, which one(s) will do well? Check out the list, let me know what you think.
Carl Pavano- An 18 game winner with the Marlins in 2004, he signed a deal with the Yanks for $40-some million and was hurt for basically the whole 4 years. Finally seems healthy. In the league since 1998, he has only been in double digit wins twice and his career record is exactly 66-66
Mike Hampton- Was 22-4 in 1999, should have won the Cy Young. Went to the Mets and took them to the 2000 World Series. Signed a mega deal with the Rockies for $120-some million. It never worked out. He was traded after 2 years to the Brave. He then could not stay healthy. He is the picture of inconsistency. Lights out one start, gets lit up the next.
Randy Johnson- He doesn't throw 99mph anymore. At 45, he is beyond his prime. However, he won 11 games last year and truck out 173 guys in 184 innings with an ERA of 3.91 and a WHIP of 1.24. He is also 5 wins shy of 300. He is my best pick of this group.
Brad Penny- The end of the year came early for Penny last year due to some shoulder soreness and surliness in his attitude. Penny has had a career full of slightly above average performance. He has also been a career jerk. He is a classic example of someone that should be better if he was more coachable and more open. He annoys people, gets under their skin, and left the Dodgers without saying goodbye at the end of the year while they were in a pennant race. Still, he eats innings and wins games and is said to be working hard this off season.
Andy Pettite- In 14 years, Pettitte has only thrown less than 175 innings in a season twice. He has a career record of 215-127. However, he is 36 years old and has not had an ERA under 4.05 since 2005. He most likely signs with the Yanks if anyone. However, if they sign several free agents and Mussina stays, Pettitte is the odd man out. An expensive one year deal brings in a proven winner.
Freddy Garcia- Up until 2007, Garcia was a solid AL starter. Lots of innings, high ERA, kept his team in the game and won his share. Injury bug nailed him and he has thrown 73 innings in the last two years. He may finally be healthy again.
Bartolo Colon- Colon was the man in 2005. He was 21-8 with the Angels and had an ERA of 3.48. Since then, he has not been right. He aged quickly and may now be a mediocre pitcher at best. He does hold a career record of 150-97.
Pedro Martinez- This is not the Pedro Martinez of the Red Sox. Gone is the blazing fastball, Pedro now must dazzle with an assortment of off speed and location on his pitches. It was painful last year trying to get through the 1st inning. Afterwards, he was fine. Pedro is a winner though, and should be welcomed as any teams 5th starter. Healthy and past his father's death, pencil Pedro in for 10-15 wins in 2009.
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