10 Unrestricted Free Agent Starting Pitchers

[Exile on Waveland]

Weaver and/or Boras have already stated that they expect at least a 5-year, 50-million dollar contract. While I doubt he gets that, he's looking to break the bank and there's a Jim Bowden born every minute.

 

Also, while I'm too lazy to look up his splits, he's pitched in Dodger Stadium, not to mention the rest of the NL West. Wrigley's no longer the big-time hitter's park it once was, but it's no Dodger Stadium, either.

 

I'd go Millwood. He's not spectacular, but a safe-bet would be nice for our rotationn.

[RockTheIvy]

What about Loaiza if you can get him cheap, say below 3 mil?

 

Pass. I think RFK helped him out a lot.

 

Good call, shoulda thought of that!

[moorecg]

No body considers Washburn a viable option? He does throw with his left hand...is young enough to be good for several years and had a decent year...not a bad option considering our needs.

[CubfaninCA]

Well, signing Millwood sounded good until I saw Boras next to his name. Weaver intrigues me too, but he's with Boras too.

 

I'll take Clemens.

[BigbadB]

No body considers Washburn a viable option? He does throw with his left hand...is young enough to be good for several years and had a decent year...not a bad option considering our needs.

 

I hear he's a Chicago native as well. Not sure if he was a Cub fan growing up or a Sox troll. :D

[nilodnayr]

Although not a FA, I'd be interested in Odalis if it would get us Bradley. Odalis is a bit of an enigma but is the lefty Hendry has always wanted. Hes had good WHIPs and his expense would be offset by Bradley's cheapness.

[CubsWin]

Although not a FA, I'd be interested in Odalis if it would get us Bradley. Odalis is a bit of an enigma but is the lefty Hendry has always wanted. Hes had good WHIPs and his expense would be offset by Bradley's cheapness.

Wow, two headcases for the price of...two.

[nilodnayr]

Although not a FA, I'd be interested in Odalis if it would get us Bradley. Odalis is a bit of an enigma but is the lefty Hendry has always wanted. Hes had good WHIPs and his expense would be offset by Bradley's cheapness.

Wow, two headcases for the price of...two.

 

I say make Dusty earn his 4M :D

[CubfaninCA]

Although not a FA, I'd be interested in Odalis if it would get us Bradley. Odalis is a bit of an enigma but is the lefty Hendry has always wanted. Hes had good WHIPs and his expense would be offset by Bradley's cheapness.

 

Doubt they'd have to take on Bradley to get Perez. Perez has been grumbling about lack of run support though, so I wouldn't be too excited about him joining the Cubs.

[Mark_R]

If Dusty is the master of the ego stroke and getting the most out of his players, handling cancers, and all the other (allegedly) things he's great at, I'd take a flyer on both guys. We do need another starting pitcher and a starting CF. These guys fill both criteria with the potential to be highly productive at a low cost player wise.

 

Get Bradley and Giles for the OF. Re-sign Nomar and keep Walker.

 

Walker

Murton

Giles

Lee

Ramirez

Nomar

Bradley

Barrett

 

Not a bad offense.

[nilodnayr]

Although not a FA, I'd be interested in Odalis if it would get us Bradley. Odalis is a bit of an enigma but is the lefty Hendry has always wanted. Hes had good WHIPs and his expense would be offset by Bradley's cheapness.

 

Doubt they'd have to take on Bradley to get Perez. Perez has been grumbling about lack of run support though, so I wouldn't be too excited about him joining the Cubs.

I meant the opposite, Id take on Perez to get Bradley. Perez has a ceiling of a 2/good 3 but is already getting paid like one, more likely he will pitch like a bad 3/4. Bradley on the otherhand is the best value for the money among NL CF. Hes a tier below Griffey, Jones, and Edmonds but will also be making 8M or so less.

[nilodnayr]

If Dusty is the master of the ego stroke and getting the most out of his players, handling cancers, and all the other (allegedly) things he's great at, I'd take a flyer on both guys. We do need another starting pitcher and a starting CF. These guys fill both criteria with the potential to be highly productive at a low cost player wise.

 

Get Bradley and Giles for the OF. Re-sign Nomar and keep Walker.

 

Walker

Murton

Giles

Lee

Ramirez

Nomar

Bradley

Barrett

 

Not a bad offense.

 

A lineup with a 3-4-5 of 950 OPS with the rest of the team 800+ we should score some runs. Ohh and it wouldnt be unreasonable for EVERYONE in that lineup to have a 350+ OBP.

 

A rotation of Z, Prior, Wood, Maddux, Perez

 

Pen of Dempster, set up man (Howry?), Williamson, Wuertz/Novoa, Ohman, Williams

 

That should get the job done as well as provide insurance incase of injury.

[CubinNY]

No body considers Washburn a viable option? He does throw with his left hand...is young enough to be good for several years and had a decent year...not a bad option considering our needs.

 

I wanted the Cubs to try and get him a few years ago when the Angels were trying to trade him. Instead they signed a Dusty guy (Estes) with terrible splits outside of Pac Bell.

[RockTheIvy]

No body considers Washburn a viable option? He does throw with his left hand...is young enough to be good for several years and had a decent year...not a bad option considering our needs.

 

I wanted the Cubs to try and get him a few years ago when the Angels were trying to trade him. Instead they signed a Dusty guy (Estes) with terrible splits outside of Pac Bell.

 

To me Washburn is the type of guy who will be severly overpaid, a la Eric Milton. He doesn't strike many guys out (94ks in 177 innings), gets more flyballs than ground balls and has an oba of .274. I don't think he's a terrible pitcher, but I do think he will get too much money. I think Williams could do a better job over the course of a full season, for example. I realize we have a good deal of moeny to spend, but if we could save a few here and there, we could maybe land some higher impact players.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

So Hoops, what were you trying to get at with this thread? Anything you were trying to point out in particular?

[HoopsCubs]

So Hoops, what were you trying to get at with this thread? Anything you were trying to point out in particular?

 

Nothing in particular. I just wanted to list the important numbers for arguably the 10 best unrestricted free agent starting pitchers out there, and see what type of discussion and analysis we could come up with. I believe Hendry when he says he will strongly consider signing or trading for a starting pitcher. After seeing the often-offensively-punchless Astros and White Sox get into the post-season with strong pitching, I think Hendry feels that despite the offensive woes, the Cubs could have secured the wild card with better performance at the top of the rotation.

He has money to address holes in all areas.

 

Most of you here know I like Kevin Millwood a lot. Before Cleveland went on their second half tear, I was advocating we trade for Millwood. I still feel that with Maddux and Wood potentially both off the payroll starting in 2007, signing Millwood now even to 3 years does not handcuff us. Hendry and Boras have a good relationship. Speaking of Boras, I think Jeff Weaver would be a good signing too, but I think someone else will give him a 4 year deal in the $36-40M range. I'm not a big fan of Burnett, Washburn, Loaiza, Rogers, or Morris. I know neither Clemens or Moyer are coming here. That leaves Paul Byrd - he's intriguing too. I like the fact that he doesn't walk folks - decent WHIP. If Hendry is addressing starting pitching through free agency, the only guys worth looking at are Millwood, Weaver and Byrd.

[rawaction]

So Hoops, what were you trying to get at with this thread? Anything you were trying to point out in particular?

 

Nothing in particular. I just wanted to list the important numbers for arguably the 10 best unrestricted free agent starting pitchers out there, and see what type of discussion and analysis we could come up with. I believe Hendry when he says he will strongly consider signing or trading for a starting pitcher. After seeing the often-offensively-punchless Astros and White Sox get into the post-season with strong pitching, I think Hendry feels that despite the offensive woes, the Cubs could have secured the wild card with better performance at the top of the rotation.

He has money to address holes in all areas.

 

Most of you here know I like Kevin Millwood a lot. Before Cleveland went on their second half tear, I was advocating we trade for Millwood. I still feel that with Maddux and Wood potentially both off the payroll starting in 2007, signing Millwood now even to 3 years does not handcuff us. Hendry and Boras have a good relationship. Speaking of Boras, I think Jeff Weaver would be a good signing too, but I think someone else will give him a 4 year deal in the $36-40M range. I'm not a big fan of Burnett, Washburn, Loaiza, Rogers, or Morris. I know neither Clemens or Moyer are coming here. That leaves Paul Byrd - he's intriguing too. I like the fact that he doesn't walk folks - decent WHIP. If Hendry is addressing starting pitching through free agency, the only guys worth looking at are Millwood, Weaver and Byrd.

 

That's how I feel on all accounts. I wonder how much Hendry will spend on pitching though. He already has $20M+ tied up in 2/5 of the rotation. Add in another $10M/year starter and you're looking at $30M for what is essentially your 3-4-5 guys.

 

Millwood and Giles are definitely doable, but if the choice is between a $10M 3rd-5th starter or a $10M great RF....I'll take Giles and stick with Williams at the 5th. Byrd would be a nice, cheap, consolation prize though.

[UK1679666180]

Need a cheaper #5 starter who'll get you around 190+ IP and decent production?

 

Brett Tomko.

[UK1679666180]

1908, what's your take on Daisuke Matsuzaka?

 

Even though the Cubs probably won't look towards Japan, what's your take on him?

[goonys evil twin]

Need a cheaper #5 starter who'll get you around 190+ IP and decent production?

 

Brett Tomko.

 

Not sure why anybody would want him over Williams, and I'm not even a Williams fan.

[UK1679666180]

Need a cheaper #5 starter who'll get you around 190+ IP and decent production?

 

Brett Tomko.

 

Not sure why anybody would want him over Williams, and I'm not even a Williams fan.

 

The Cubs seem to want someone, not many of the FAs minus Millwood or Byrd would be an improvement over Williams.

[abuck1220]

offense, please.

[nilodnayr]

offense, please.

 

I think a lot depends on what they think Kerry is goign to do. If they are weary of him being able to throw over 60 pitches then you have to go out and get a starter. I like Williams, I like him a lot, infact for the cubs his ERA was 3.90 and take out one bad game against cinci and its down to 3.48. I am just fine with him as my 5th, infact in reality hes the 4th ahead of maddux. Its just if Kerry goes down and we need to plug in an inconsistant Mitre, an often injured Guzman, or a super struggling Welly, then thats 2 mediocre and one below average pitcher. Who knows what Rusch is going to do, but at his best hed keep us in games, I think hes not going to repeat 2004. I dont have a problem picking up a pitcher and moving Williams to the pen for the time being. However, no one on the FA market will be close to what they are worth. Weaver has potential but will get a big contract and could bomb again. Milwood is the best of the bunch, but will probably get paid for it. Burnett is Pavano II, new and improved with injuries and probably a bigger contract. Byrd gives up too many homers and doesnt strike out enough. I would be interested in picking up an overpaid pitcher with a few years left who has potential to be more than an innings eater should Wood go down in order to get a position player to fill one of our needs. Javy and Tracy/Conor/Quentin as well as Odalis and Bradley have been mentioned, is there anyone else out there?

[hardcorecubfan]

I am quite intrigued :

 

1. ERA/2. games started/3. innings pitched/4. hits given up/5. walks given up/6. WHIP/7. 2005 salary/8. age/9. agent.

 

AJ Burnett®: 3.44/32/209/184/79/1.26/$3.7M/28/Darek Braunecker

Paul Byrd®: 3.74/31/204/216/28/1.20/$5.0M/34/Bo McKinnis

Roger Clemens®: 1.87/32/211/151/62/1.01/$18.0M/43/Hendricks Brothers

Esteban Loaiza®: 3.77/34/217/227/55/1.30/$2.9M/33/John Boggs

Kevin Millwood®: 2.86/30/192/182/52/1.22/$7.0M/30/Scott Boras

Matt Morris®: 4.11/31/192/209/37/1.28/$2.5M+inc./31/Barry Axelrod

Jamie Moyer(L): 4.28/32/200/225/52/1.39/$8.0M/42/Himself

Kenny Rogers(L): 3.46/30/195/205/53/1.32/$3.5M/40/Scott Boras

Jarrod Washburn(L): 3.20/29/177/184/51/1.33/$6.5M/31/Scott Boras

Jeff Weaver®: 4.22/34/224/220/43/1.17/$9.2M/29/Scott Boras

 

Who or what, if anything, stands out?

 

 

Hoops

 

Other than the money can you convince me why Millwood or any that were on conteders would want to come to the Cubs? this is for anybody, not just for Hoops

[UK1679666180]

I am quite intrigued :

 

1. ERA/2. games started/3. innings pitched/4. hits given up/5. walks given up/6. WHIP/7. 2005 salary/8. age/9. agent.

 

AJ Burnett®: 3.44/32/209/184/79/1.26/$3.7M/28/Darek Braunecker

Paul Byrd®: 3.74/31/204/216/28/1.20/$5.0M/34/Bo McKinnis

Roger Clemens®: 1.87/32/211/151/62/1.01/$18.0M/43/Hendricks Brothers

Esteban Loaiza®: 3.77/34/217/227/55/1.30/$2.9M/33/John Boggs

Kevin Millwood®: 2.86/30/192/182/52/1.22/$7.0M/30/Scott Boras

Matt Morris®: 4.11/31/192/209/37/1.28/$2.5M+inc./31/Barry Axelrod

Jamie Moyer(L): 4.28/32/200/225/52/1.39/$8.0M/42/Himself

Kenny Rogers(L): 3.46/30/195/205/53/1.32/$3.5M/40/Scott Boras

Jarrod Washburn(L): 3.20/29/177/184/51/1.33/$6.5M/31/Scott Boras

Jeff Weaver®: 4.22/34/224/220/43/1.17/$9.2M/29/Scott Boras

 

Who or what, if anything, stands out?

 

 

Hoops

 

Other than the money can you convince me why Millwood or any that were on conteders would want to come to the Cubs? this is for anybody, not just for Hoops

 

Even with this disappointing season, that Chicago would be a top destination for potential FAs, if money was the same.

 

The Cubs are two good players from making the postseason again. It'd take more than 2 to make it a potential lock (oxymoron), but if the Cubs are interested in a player, it is a fair possibility that the player would look at it differently than if Milwaukee was looking at FA, despite the Brewers having a better record.

 

I think players think along the same lines as the Cubs' brass as to why the '05 Cubs failed (health and only minor improvements needed) to get them back into the NLCS.