jacksonianmarch

hence why I included ERA. His WHIP was also around 1 in that stretch too.

The comparison of Chamberlain and Papelbon is a tough one. Papelbon has had more MLB success while Chamberlain has the deeper overall arsenal. Also, as a starter, Papelbon sat more low 90s, while Chamberlain in AA and A+ ball was sitting 95-97. This is why I think Joba profiles more as a starter since he has 2 plus plus pitches and 2 other pitches that actually profile as plus MLB pitches. Lester has had more success? Yeah, he won the WS clinching game, but it was game 4 of a sweep and the Rox were essentially dead in the water. Other than that, Lester has been absolutely awful. If you consider 4.5 BB per 9 and a 1.5WHIP for his MLB career success, then I dont know if there is a potential way to convince you otherwise. I cannot argue with anyone who thinks Hughes and Buchholz are a tie. I think it is ever so close as well and they do have rather similar styles. And I would actually say that given the right opportunity, Delcarmen profiles as a closer rather than a setup guy. He was impressive last yr.

If you actually want to rank further, there is another argument you can use... (Sox list taken from sox prospects.com. I added Lester in behind Buchholz simply because I think that is where he'd slate if he were to be ranked). The 25 and under AA and above group Head to Head 1. Buchholz vs Joba 2. Lester vs Hughes 3. Masterson vs Kennedy 4. Bowden vs Horne 5. Hansen vs Sanchez 6. Pauley vs Marquez 7. McCutchen 8. White 9. Cox 10. Whelan 11. Robertson (Brackman was unrated due to the fact that PP never rates players they have not seen play, but I threw him in as the #3 A+ level and under pitcher) The A+ and below group 1. Hagadone vs Betances 2. Johnson vs Garcia 3. Richardson vs Brackman 4. Bard vs Heredia 5. Britton vs Nova 6. Jones vs Kontos 7. Mills vs Pope 8. Cox vs Tejeda 9. Clay vs McCallister 10. Huntzinger vs Dunn 11. Bailey vs Reyes 12. Province vs Barreda 13. Pimental vs Wordekemper

Ranking the pitchers it says. And he prefaced it by saying that this is for now and the future. I dont think any of you guys would disagree with the statement that Joba has the best pure stuff of any of the guys on the list. If that is the case and he was a starter for most of the season last yr, I dont think it is outlandish to think he will have the most success. Plus, it isnt like he has great stuff but cannot locate. The kid can locate all of his pitches, so therefore, I have a feeling he will have the better career of the fab 7. In terms of Kennedy over Lester, I am basing that one off Kennedy's control and Lester's complete lack of it. Also, in comparing both MiLB #s and MLB #s it isnt even close between the two. Lester has the better curveball and the harder FB, but Kennedy locates the FB better and has the deeper, more sound arsenal. Plus, Lester has allowed nearly a walk per 2 innings, that is absolutely abysmal, and the only reason why he hasnt been crucified to this point is luck. He has been one hit away from having innings explode on him.

And that isnt a slight to Buchholz. I think he'll be a fantastic pitcher. But I just think that Hughes will persevere and be the better pitcher over the long haul. Hughes was in the process of doing the same thing Buch was doing in his second start, except his hammy went snap. It took a long time to get back, but once he finally did and got on track (September and on into the playoffs) he was 4-0 with a 2.55ERA. Thats pretty damn good right down to crunch time.

I continue to think that Hughes is better than Buchholz. I dont see how that is so unrealistic. Just because the kid threw one no hitter in his rookie season doesnt mean he is gonna be better than Hughes. Bud Smith says hi.

Bush is best utilized when you have a guy like Deuce carrying the load. He reminds me a lot of Westbrook from Philly. Right now, the Saints are in shambles and are requiring Bush to carry the load, which he just isnt equipped to do.

Chamberlain, Hughes, Buchholz, Kennedy, Lester, Delcarmen, Hansen

or not. Relievers come in during crunch time. Utility guys come in when the starters get tired.

as with any game, the player that holds the ball is the one with the most control of the game. The QB, the PG, the Pitcher. A hitter can control the game per se, but the pitcher can always pitch around that player, effectively neutralizing them. Not the case with a pitcher.

In terms of Lowrie, you significantly decrease his worth if he becomes a UTIL guy.

The real question for the sox would be Ellsbury or Buchholz. Buchholz and Hughes are very similar IMHO. If you take the bias away, which one will have the better career?

Signing Hawkins and losing Vizcaino is essentially a lateral move for us, but it does net us a draft pick in the supplemental round, so it is a net gain.

Gagne will use the sox arb offer as a ploy. And if he accepts arb, I have a feeling the sox deal him anyway.

I know. I think they have soured on those types. The problem is that Lowrie has a 1.55WHIP in the worst division in all of baseball. Imagine what he does when he comes to the best.

Marte would be a wonderful player to go after.

They are talking Jonathan Sanchez or Noah Lowry. I think that is a bad deal. Sanchez has the most upside, but he looks like he's slating out to be a reliever and Lowrie is everything we dont need. A soft tossing lefty who cannot K people and cannot keep baserunners off the bases. Sounds a lot like Igawa.

interesting article. I wonder who is actually running this though. I have a feeling ARod is very hands off on this issue.

I dont think we get either without adding something, but I wouldnt deal Matsui for nothing. And aside from those two guys, that is what I think the Giants have.

so players who sign bad contracts dont lobby to get better ones?

I dont think this gets any ball rolling as I assume the Twins will call the sox bluff here. In terms of Baltimore, they would absolutely want pitching in return, and I dont think the sox want to see Buchholz facing them 6 times a season. At the same time, I dont think the O's want Bedard facing them 6 times a yr either.

If we get someone who can throw the ball and be relied upon (like Cain or Lincecum), then wonderful. Otherwise, the Giants dont have much in terms of prospects and the rest of their team stinks. And, I dont like the idea of giving up a player who is essentially a guarantee to hit .290-25-100 if healthy.

This is assuming Hughes, Joba and Kennedy reach their potential.

It sounds like the Yankees do not even want Santana for the price they are asking and I cannot blame them. Every day that passes that Santana is not dealt is another day the yankees win IMO. The best possible thing for the yankees is for the Twins to hold onto Santana for the season. That is the absolute best possible scenario. Actually, the uber best scenario is for the twins to hold onto Santana and come out smoking in 08. Have them in the lead in the central at the AS break so they wont even consider dealing him.