We Can Compete for the Division, Amirite?

[Swifty]

If we signed CJ (as much as I hate 6 years and that rumored $100 mil) we'd be good with whatever JJ gives us. Live for 2012, figure the rest out whenever.

I have no problem counting on JJ, but CJ sure let us minimize that.

[Miamarlin21]

I wonder if Edwin Jackson would do a two-year deal, or if he wants a big one.Two-years, $24 wouldn't be too bad, would it? (I'm not Lou, so don't hate)

[Metes]

I think we'd need something like 4 years, $12-14 AAV to lock up EJ

[TheMendozaLine]

Edward Johnson (A/K/A "Eddy J") would be a great signing for the Fish.

[Bobbob1313]

I think Anibal is a really solid #3, at this point.

Anibal is 29th in baseball in ERA over the last two years among pitchers with at least 350 innings.

15th in FIP.

25th in xFIP.

24th in SIERA.

He's not a No. 1 because of durability issues and whatnot, but I don't see why he hasn't cemented himself as a #2 pitcher right now.

[Metes]

What bobs said

Don't know why he's been looked at as such a stepchild

Solid velocity gains last year, missed a lot more bats. 9.26 K/9 last year. That's nasty

[Bobbob1313]

The injury issues are a concern, but they're a concern for a whole lot of top-end pitchers. I don't think it should mean we undervalue him. He's been really excellent.

[Erick]

I agree with all of that. Just saying, on our team he's gonna be the #3 so that's pretty great. Swift said we don't have a great #3.

[Bobbob1313]

I think we have a pretty good No. 3 in Mark Beurhle.

[Mainge]

Yeah

[Swifty]

My concern with Anibal involve fluctuating velocity, innings limitations and, despite a lot of K's, a lot of hits.

He's a good pitcher. I don't think he's a great one.

[Bobbob1313]

Under 9 H/9 both years. 40th in baseball in BAA in 2011, 54th in 2010.

As for 'fluctuating velocity':

Anibal:

Roy Halladay (universally agreed best pitcher in baseball and model of consistency):

Clayton Kershaw(Flamethrower):

Mark Buerhle(soft tosser):


Does his average velocity per start appear to fluctuate any more or less than those other randomly selected fellows?

And 42 pitchers have thrown more innings than him over the last two years. Which puts him smack dab in the middle of expected numbers for No. 2 starters.

We really kind of don't appreciate how awesome Anibal is.

[Swifty]

I actually agree he's under appreciated (by me too). Question on those graphs. Those track all pitches though. Is there anyway to just see fastball velocity?

[DColts]

His fastball velocity is actually rising

http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfx.asp...284&position=P

[Bobbob1313]

The only one I can find tracks highest velocity per start. And it's about as static as one would expect.