Starting Pitchers, Waivers, and The Marlins

[PitchingWinsGames]

Yeah. PWG gon be mad, but to just assume he will help for some reason being that he once was very good at pitching is silly.

It could indeed be a nice pickup.

But to say just having him on the team would be nice because of his career numbers is like saying just having Nolan Ryan on the team right now would be great.

Why would I be mad? If he sticks, he sticks, if he sucks, send him packing. Low-risk, moderate reward.

[Beef]

I thought you was gon be mad that I responded to one of them silly posts where somebody says something like veteran presence gon make us good and shiz like that

[PitchingWinsGames]

I thought you was gon be mad that I responded to one of them silly posts where somebody says something like veteran presence gon make us good and shiz like that

There's a difference between "veteran presence" and saying "we" when referring to the team.

[Beef]

Suck our dick

[PitchingWinsGames]

Suck our dick

Ok, Rickey

[BigGameFish]

If utilized correctly (imo, the bullpen), I think Smoltz can be a big boost to the team

Agree 100%

Smoltz would be a A++ addition if he would agree to close for us.

I also believe he can have success as a starter, there's no doubt that the guy knows how to pitch. He just needs to put it together. I would not be surprised at all to see him sign here. Marlins can only benefit from it.







(Unless he doesnt want to be in the BP)

[nny]

re: BP

Billy Wagner?

Big risk because he's coming back from injury but he showed absolutely no signs of slowing down prior to his injury.

the other thing is money. He's due 1.75m+ plus a 1m buyout, for 2.75m+. And so if we were to get the Mets to, say, eat his pay this year with us being responsible for buyout, that just raises what we send in trade even more.

I'm not sure what he'd cost in a trade, which is the 100 million dollar question to if it's worth it or not, but I thought I'd bring it up regardless.

[Ramp]

already had these discussions with someone else, but yea nny, would def be in favor of Wagner

[wanks1212]

Something on Smoltz's velocity/whiff rates. Not really promising, although they don't get into just how many fewer swings and misses Smoltz is getting.

Even if everything said there is true, he still profiles as a decent ROOGY

[Omar]

By Jayson Stark
ESPN.com
Archive

John Smoltz is "strongly leaning" toward signing with the St. Louis Cardinals, two major league sources with direct knowledge of his negotiations told ESPN.com Tuesday night.

Smoltz has told friends he will decide on a team Wednesday, once his release waivers expire and he officially becomes a free agent. However, all indications were that he will choose the Cardinals over a group of pursuers that includes the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins and Texas Rangers.

The Cardinals would like Smoltz to pitch out of the bullpen as a set-up man for closer Ryan Franklin. And while Smoltz has told clubs he would prefer to start, he has apparently decided St. Louis is the best fit.

The 42-year-old right-hander's preference is to pitch in the National League. And he is close with both Mark DeRosa and Adam Wainwright, two former Atlanta Braves teammates who are now with the Cardinals. Both have been actively recruiting Smoltz over the last few days.

Smoltz went 2-5, with an 8.32 ERA, in eight starts for the Boston Red Sox, who released him Monday. However, in the final seven of those starts, he had a 0.64 ERA in the first two innings -- which led both the Cardinals and Marlins to conclude he would be most effective pitching out of the bullpen at this point in his career. Smoltz last pitched out of the bullpen in 2004, when he saved 44 games in his fourth and final season as the Braves' closer.

Jayson Stark is a senior baseball writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4408342

[Metes]

Taking one last shot at another ring. Good for him. I think STL gives him the best chance for that.

[nny]

It's obviously too late now but hypothetical

Would you trade Peter Andrelczyk for Bill Hall, with Brewres picking up this year salary and, say, all but 1.5m of next year salary (so plus 500k buyout = Bill Hall for 2m)? I'd imagine Buddy Flores has quite a lot less value than Andre, since he's two years older with worse results, but Mariners are also probably paying more in '10.

While his offensive value has fallen down, he still play plus defense at 8 positions. At best he goes back to being a ~.750 OPS and helps solidify 3b. Because if Logan/Gaby falter, we're then back with Cantu at first and Boni at 3rd. Well, actually at best he goes back to being a mid 800 OPS bat but that's beside the point. And at worst, he's alfredo amezaga that can platoon against LHP.

I'm not sure if I do (2m goes a long way in the draft/international signings/ect for what'd probably be a null upgrade), but figured I'd bring it up regardless.

[wanks1212]

Billy Wagner was placed on waivers today. May be worth a flier.

[Swifty]

We could definitely use him, but even if we got him, you know we'd still use Pinto more, and in the higher leverage situations.

[Big Z]

Wagner would be nice but according to rotoworld he's still owed 2.7 mil this year and a 1 mil buyout of a 2010 option