Is starting pitching the new inefficiency?

[Lefty]

I am surprised by the talk of spending big for a top line starter. My impression of the trade with Oakland was that spending 20% of your payroll on someone who starts 33 games is an incredibly bad use of resources. Over a six-year deal you have an aging player, normal injury risk, a couple of years where nagging injuries may hinder performance, and maybe a year or two of unlucky BABIP. While it is important not to get carried away by Bosio magic, a lot he did for Edwin Jackson, the idea of getting 3 or 4 guys like Feldman, Hammel and Arrietta for the same cost and hoping to get one or two of them pitching like an ace every couple of years may be the way to go. We all know the variability of bullpen performance. Maybe the variability of starters only differs to a degree, and in the current pitchers' environment, perhaps the edge is in improving one's offense.

[Guest]

I am surprised by the talk of spending big for a top line starter. My impression of the trade with Oakland was that spending 20% of your payroll on someone who starts 33 games is an incredibly bad use of resources. Over a six-year deal you have an aging player, normal injury risk, a couple of years where nagging injuries may hinder performance, and maybe a year or two of unlucky BABIP. While it is important not to get carried away by Bosio magic, a lot he did for Edwin Jackson, the idea of getting 3 or 4 guys like Feldman, Hammel and Arrietta for the same cost and hoping to get one or two of them pitching like an ace every couple of years may be the way to go. We all know the variability of bullpen performance. Maybe the variability of starters only differs to a degree, and in the current pitchers' environment, perhaps the edge is in improving one's offense.

 

 

efficiency doesn't matter when you have nowhere else to spend the money

 

SP is where we can add wins to this team going forward so that is where the money needs to be spent, as inefficient as it may be (and as much as i may hate the idea)

[WrigleyField 22]

We have limited 25 and 40 man roster spots. Lots of interesting back end/BP fodder. Very little top end material (one) and tons of money. It all adds up to spending big rather than spreading money around to reclamation projects.

 

 

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[SouthSideRyan]

While it is important not to get carried away by Bosio magic, a lot he did for Edwin Jackson, the idea of getting 3 or 4 guys like Feldman, Hammel and Arrietta for the same cost and hoping to get one or two of them pitching like an ace every couple of years may be the way to go. We all know the variability of bullpen performance. Maybe the variability of starters only differs to a degree, and in the current pitchers' environment, perhaps the edge is in improving one's offense.

 

Cost certainty is worth a lot when you're looking to contend but aren't a slam dunk.

[Guest]

The Cubs are poised to be in a position where they can fudge a little on SP. It looks like they have the makings of a lights out back end of the pen and a bunch of young mashers.

 

In the hitting, pitching, and defense equation to winning they might be able to get by with ok starting pitching, but it would be better if they didn't.

[Guest]

The Cubs are poised to be in a position where they can fudge a little on SP. It looks like they have the makings of a lights out back end of the pen and a bunch of young mashers.

 

In the hitting, pitching, and defense equation to winning they might be able to get by with ok starting pitching, but it would be better if they didn't.

 

It's crazy. I'm already pretty pleased with what the bullpen is and we still have Vizcaino, Rivero, and, to a lesser extent, Paniagua in the minors, among some other candidates.

[Lefty]

Ricketts might not see the extra cost as worth it.

[SouthSideRyan]

The Cubs are poised to be in a position where they can fudge a little on SP. It looks like they have the makings of a lights out back end of the pen and a bunch of young mashers.

 

In the hitting, pitching, and defense equation to winning they might be able to get by with ok starting pitching, but it would be better if they didn't.

 

It's crazy. I'm already pretty pleased with what the bullpen is and we still have Vizcaino, Rivero, and, to a lesser extent, Paniagua in the minors, among some other candidates.

 

I really hope we don't waste time trying to convert Ramirez.

 

(I said almost the exact same thing about Dempster in '08)

[Guest]

Ricketts might not see the extra cost as worth it.

 

I think Theo might actually immediately walk out the door and fly home to Boston if Ricketts decided to cap his payroll at $50M because he didn't think starting pitching was worth spending on.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Ricketts might not see the extra cost as worth it.

 

I think Theo might actually immediately walk out the door and fly home to Boston if Ricketts decided to cap his payroll at $50M because he didn't think starting pitching was worth spending on.

 

I'd be surprised if noticed, so long as his draft and minor-league budgets weren't hit.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Ricketts might not see the extra cost as worth it.

 

I think Theo might actually immediately walk out the door and fly home to Boston if Ricketts decided to cap his payroll at $50M because he didn't think starting pitching was worth spending on.

 

I'd be surprised if noticed, so long as his draft and minor-league budgets weren't hit.

I have actually heard that Theo tries to come up with one way to shunt money from the major league club to the minors and draft every day.

[biittner77]

The Cubs are poised to be in a position where they can fudge a little on SP. It looks like they have the makings of a lights out back end of the pen and a bunch of young mashers.

 

In the hitting, pitching, and defense equation to winning they might be able to get by with ok starting pitching, but it would be better if they didn't.

 

It's crazy. I'm already pretty pleased with what the bullpen is and we still have Vizcaino, Rivero, and, to a lesser extent, Paniagua in the minors, among some other candidates.

 

I really hope we don't waste time trying to convert Ramirez.

 

(I said almost the exact same thing about Dempster in '08)

 

Considering all the options the Cubs have, I can't see any good reason not to try converting Ramirez though I admit that I haven't paid attention to his secondary pitches. Zambrano got by on one really good pitch so, aside from possible injury, it's worth it to try.

[Guest]

Ramirez starting would be heavenly