Free Agent Starting Pitchers 2009

Starting pitchers:

• Kris Benson (33)

He hasn’t pitched since the 2006 season. Not a hot item (so he could come cheep). Started 30 games in 2006 for Baltimore and had an 11-12 record with a 4.82 ERA. Has a 4.34 career ERA and a 68-73 career record. He may be looking for just a one-year deal to rebound and test the market again next year.

• A.J. Burnett (32)

Note: He can opt out after ’08 season. And I think he should. He went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA… Burnett would probably benefit in trying the free agent market. He went 221.1 innings in 2008. He will probably be looking for a five-year deal with options for more.

• Paul Byrd (38)

Byrd went 11-12 with the Boston Red Sox and posted a 4.60 ERA. He went 180 innings and averaged more than a HR per start. Still, his team did make the playoffs, so he could have a higher than normal price for a pitcher of his caliber. But then there is the fact of him being 38 years of age.

• Roger Clemens (46)

Roger is probably the longest shot in signing somewhere. He didn’t pitch in 2008 and only pitched partial seasons the previous two. Still, in 2007, he went 6-6 in 18 games and had a 4.18 ERA, which, most teams would be happy with those results.

• Matt Clement (33)

He hasn’t pitched since 2006 in the majors, and only 12 starts in 2006. He had a 6.61 ERA and 5-5 record for Boston, throwing 65.1 innings. I wouldn’t expect to see him sign anywhere this off-season. He could still end up with a preseason invite somewhere...

• Bartolo Colon (36)

Colon went 4-2 this season, starting 7 games and going 39 innings. He hasn’t pitched a full season since 2005 with the Angels. Since then, he has gone 11-15 while pitching 194.2 innings over the last three seasons. Still, I would be surprised if he didn’t get a chance somewhere. He has two seasons where he has collected 20 wins (2002, 2005).

• Ryan Dempster (32)

Dempster helped his team go to the playoffs this season, throwing a 2.86 ERA and posting a 17-6 record. Expect him to demand some $$$. He pitched 4.2 innings of playoff baseball, taking the loss, but the fact that he got there should still demand some change. He was also an All-Star this season, pitching an inning and striking out everyone he saw.

• Shawn Estes (36)

It is really tough to say that Estes HAS pitched since the 2005 season. He made a start for the Padres in 2006 (just one) and started eight games for them this year. He hasn’t been awful, but he has a 2-4 record over the last three years and has a 4.71 ERA to boot. It would be likely that some team may take a chance on him, or at least get an invitation to spring training somewhere.

• Josh Fogg (32)

He has a career 5.08 ERA in 219 games (193 are starts). He pitched for the Reds earlier this season, appearing in 22 games and 14 were starts, where he went 2-7 with a 7.58 ERA. I would have to think that his career could be a done deal.

• Freddy Garcia (33)

Garcia started 3 games for the Tigers this, all in September. He went 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA, with his win coming against the Rangers. Last season, he pitched for the Phillies, and that season was an abbreviated season for him, as well. He started 11 games for the Phillies and went 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA. Still, he has a career 4.07 ERA and I would think that someone would give him a chance and not let him go out to pasture.

• Jon Garland (29)

Garland went 14-8 for the AL West Champions this season and posted a 4.90 ERA. He also tossed 196.2 innings this season. He didn’t pitch in the postseason, which is a shame because in 2005, he went 1-0 with a 2.25 in the postseason. Still, he is coming into the peak of his career, he has a record of 106-89 and a 4.47 career ERA… he should command good money.

• Tom Glavine (43)

Glavine went back home. He started 13 games for the Braves, going 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA. He’s won over 300 games (305 to be precise) and you can’t help but wonder if his career is over and out. He won’t be too high priced, but what you do pay him would be to put butts in seats and not so much a win on the scoreboard.

• Mike Hampton (36)

He started 13 games for the Braves this season, going 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA. He threw 78 innings in his partial season with Atlanta. He will probably demand an average contract, at best.

• Mark Hendrickson (35)

He went 7-8 with Florida this season and posted a 5.45 ERA. Being that he’s 35 years old, most teams will look past him for younger, better talent. He might end up being a #5 starter somewhere, if he gets signed at all.

• Livan Hernandez (34)

He had the displeasure of pitching for the Rockies (where the balls fly a mile high and out). He sported a 6.05 ERA with a 13-11 record (so, I guess it could be worse). He’s seen his better days come and go. He’s an average pitcher now, and I think I am being generous. There will be a team that will sign him, in hopes of getting his performance from 2000, but he will fall short.

• Orlando Hernandez (43)

El Duque didn’t pitch in the majors in 2008, but in my opinion, he is an above average pitcher. He pitched for the Mets in 2007, going 9-5 with a 3.72 ERA over 27 games (24 starts). He’s up in age, though. Could he be done? I still like his 2007 numbers and think he may be a late rotation guy for some team out there.

• Jason Jennings (30)

Jennings started the season in the Rangers starting rotation and went through six starts. His ERA was 8.56 and he went 0-5. He has a career 60-70 record with a 5.00 ERA. He would come cheep to anyone, but most likely he will sign a minor league contract with a invite to training camp.

• Randy Johnson (45)

Randy started 30 games this season, completed two. He went 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA. And how old is this guy? He’s won the Cy Young five times, with one in the AL and four in the NL. As long as he is effective, he should pitch. And he’s just five away from win #300… so he will cost a good penny for the history.

• John Lackey (30)

There is a $9M club option for '09 with a $0.5M buyout. He had a 3.75 ERA this season with a 12-5 record for the Angels. He struck out 130 in 163.1 innings, yielding 161 hits and 40 walks, including 26 HRs. That’s a 1.23 WHIP. Opponents hit .260 off him. I think it would be a bad move to not take the option.

• Jon Lieber (39)

Lieber only started one game in 2008, but appeared in a total 26 games. He’s mainly been used as a starter for his career. He went 2-3 this year with a 4.05 ERA. He prefers the NL over the AL, having pitched in the AL one year with the Yankees in 2004. Whether he will be a set up man in the future or return to a starting role is still to be seen. Either way, though, he should be a good pick up.

• Braden Looper (34)

He started 33 games for Saint Louis this season, going 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA. He did eat up some innings, 199 to be exact. He has a 3.93 career ERA. He gave up 216 hits this season… he wouldn’t make for a bad late rotation guy. He could also be a good low cost pitcher for a low budget team.

• Rodrigo Lopez (33)

The Atlanta Braces have a club option for '09, although it would be a bit strange on if they will use that option or not. Lopez hasn’t pitched for anyone in 2008, and last pitched for the Rockies in 2007, starting 14 games and going 5-4 to bring his career record to 65-65. He had a 4.42 ERA in ’07. He will more than likely start ’09 in the minors, if he lands a contract.

• Derek Lowe (36)

I like the cut of this boy’s jib. I really am not sure what the heck that means, but I like Derek Lowe. He pitched to a 14-11 record and had a 3.24 ERA. This is a guy I wouldn’t mind the Rangers signing. He is up in age, and the Rangers want to focus on youth… but it would still be nice. Playoffs mean payoffs in the land of professional sports. He won’t come cheep.

• Greg Maddux (43)

Maddux didn’t necessarily do badly for the Dodgers or Padres this year; however, he did have an 8-13 record. He ate up some innings (194 of them) and posted a respectable 4.22 ERA. He is a three time CY Young winner. For nostalgic reasons, he may pitch somewhere, but his age is getting up there…

• Pedro Martinez (37)

Pedro started 20 games for the Mets and went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA. That’s not the typical Pedro we know, who has a 214-99 career record with a 2.91 career ERA. Will Martinez pitch next year? Yes. With whom? A big market team, most likely. He will command a contract based on career numbers, not 2008 numbers.

• Sergio Mitre (28)

People will not be knocking his door down. He hasn’t pitched in 2008. He has a career record of 10-23 and a 5.36 ERA. In ’07, He started 27 games for Florida and went 5-8 with a 4.65 ERA. It is possible for him to make a return, since he is young, but there are plenty of other young kids waiting for their shot. It’s a long shot for him to start somewhere, unless we are talking about the minors.

• Jamie Moyer (46)

He keeps showing that he has stuff to give. He went 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA for the Phillies this year and has his team in the playoffs. He lost to the Brewers in the NLDS and has another postseason start on Sunday. He made 33 starts, threw 196.1 innings, issued 199 hits and 62 walks for a 1.33 WHIP. Only 20 hits were for HRs. He has pitched for six teams already (Cubs, Rangers, St. Louis, Baltimore, Mariners, and Phillies), and whomever he signs with, he will be more asset than liability.

• Mark Mulder (31)

St. Louis has an $11M club option for '09 with a $1.5M buyout. I’m not sure if they will use the buyout or not, Mulder has been on the DL for majority of the season and has only pitched in three games with one start in 2008. He has a total of 1.2 innings in ’08, with no record, but one blown save. 2007 wasn’t much better, as he pitched 11 innings of work and went 0-3. So, going back to 2006? Still not all too great. He went 6-7 then and had a 7.14 ERA. St. Louis may be looking at him as a “bust” signing. They may cut there losses with him and let him try free agency. I do believe, though, that regardless of his last three years, he will be pitching for someone in 2009, but he is going to have to not demand a high cash flow.

• Mike Mussina (40)

He has five gold gloves. He made 34 starts for the Yankees this season and went 20-9 with a 3.37 ERA. Look for the Yankees to resign him and him to not really test the free agent market. He is 30 games away from win #300. He will demand a great deal of cash to sign, especially to get him for two or three seasons to have “butts in seats” for the milestone.

• Carl Pavano (33)

The Yankees hold a $13M club option for '09 with a $1.95M buyout. He only started seven games for the Yanks this season and went 4-2 with a 5.77 ERA. I can’t see them taking the option, and I can’t see him making $11M off the free agent market. He is going to have to take less money. Batters knocked him for a .306 BA… and averaged one HR every seven innings.

• Brad Penny (31)

The Dodgers have an $8.75M club option for '09 with a $2M buyout. He could be another buyout, though it is difficult to say. He went 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA for the NL West club. He started 17 games this season, batters hit him for a .304 BA and clocked 13 HRs in 94.2 innings. His career numbers are way better, though, and he won 16 games in 2006 and in 2007. When he hits the free agent market, his career will be the selling point.

• Odalis Perez (32)

He started 30 games for the Nationals this season, grabbing only 159.2 innings of work. He had a 4.34 ERA with a 7-12 record. Batters pounded 22 out of the park as he issued a .287 BA to his opponents. He had a 1.48 WHIP as he took a large pay cut to pitch for the Nationals this season. He’ll more than likely stay in the $1M range in his pay for 2009.

• Oliver Perez (27)

Perez started 34 games for the Mets, going 194 innings. He had walk trouble this season, issuing 105 free passes. He still managed to keep a respectable 4.22 ERA and only let his opponents hit .234… He had a winning mark for the Mets, a 10-7 record. He is young and I think he will continue to get better. Look for him to get a good contract, not so much a great one, but a good one.

• Andy Pettitte (37)

He started 33 games this season for the Yankees. He didn’t have his typical “awesome” season that Yankee fans expect from him. He went 14-14 this season with a 4.54 ERA. He is now 85 games away from #300, and I am thinking unless he pitches until he’s 43, he may not see #300. Of course, nowadays, pitching ‘til 43 isn’t so much out of the question… the question really remains is who will sign him and for how long? The Yankees sign him, but more than likely to a two or three year deal. After which, he will be a one-year-deal pitcher for the rest of the way.

• Sidney Ponson (32)

Do you think anybody but the Yanks will be interested in this trouble in a bag? He started 24 games this season (between the Rangers and the Yanks) and went 8-5 while tossing 135.2 innings of work. He had a 5.04 ERA and batters feasted a .311 BA. He’s not as good as he thinks he is… REALITY CHECK: He should consider himself a serious LUCKY if he gets an offer of any kind.

• Mark Prior (27)

Prior has spent his entire Major League career with the Cubs (statistically speaking). He currently pitches for the Padres; however, he hasn’t thrown a pitch for them in the regular season. His last ML work was in 2006, as he went 9 starts for the Cubs, going 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA. He only threw 43.2 innings. This off-season, he will be selling his career numbers to get any kind of a contract, as those numbers are 42-29 with a 3.51 ERA. Look for him to just sign a one-year deal.

• Kenny Rogers (44)

He had an off year with the Tigers this season, but still started 30 games and tossed 173.2 innings of work. He had a high 5.70 ERA and a 9-13 record, which is not the normal stuff from the Gambler. He’s won 5 gold gloves. I’m not sure of whether he will continue pitching or hang it up… it’s always tough to tell with Kenny.

• Glendon Rusch (34)

He played for the Rockies, so some thing it’s OK for them to have a high ERA. Still, it was 5.15 and he had a 1.42 WHIP. He’s been used more as a relief pitcher than starter this season, starting in only 9 games but pitching in 35. He had a 5-5 record and opponents hit him for a .283 BA. He may command about the same pay as in 2008, which was $850,000. I wish I made $850,000. Heck, I’ll settle for half of that and be perfectly happy.

• C.C. Sabathia (28)

This is the one I have been looking forward to doing. WHY? Well, this is the player the Rangers said they would pursue like a bear searches for honey. Well, they didn’t really say it like that, but they did say they would be MAJOR players in the Sabathia-thon. Sabathia went to the playoffs with the Brewers this season. He made $11 Million, but it should take more to sign him, a good deal more, to sign him this off-season. He went 17-10 with a 2.70 ERA, but got hammered in the playoffs. Still, he pitched a WHOPPING 253 innings, which I would doubt he could do if he pitched in Texas (the whole “Texas Heat” thing). His career numbers are 117-73 with a 3.66 ERA. This season, he also had 10 complete games with 5 shutouts. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him raking in $18-20 Million next season. Question: Would 20+ victories be worth it? Most teams would say yes.

• Curt Schilling (42)

He started 24 games for the Red Sox last season and went 9-8 with a 3.87 ERA. He hit the postseason and went 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four playoff starts. He didn’t pitch in 2008.

• Ben Sheets (30)

He started 31 games for the Brewers this season, completing 5 and shutting out 3. He had a record of 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA, as opponents hit .241 off him and connected on 17 HRs in 198.1 innings. He had a low 1.15 WHIP, but didn’t appear in the playoffs. He’s at the top of his career and this will probably be his only “BIG” contract, based on his age and timing.

• John Smoltz (42)

Smoltz only started 5 games and appeared in relief for one. He had a 2.57 ERA with a 3-2 record. He has only pitched for the Braves in his career, which has spanned 21 seasons. He has a 210-147 record and 154 saves, 53 career complete games with 16 shutouts. My personal feeling is that he should try to stay a Brave… just out of tradition, at this point. It would just be wrong to see him in another uniform.

• Tim Wakefield (42)

Boston has a perpetual $4M club option. Wakefield went 10-11, with a complete game and a4.13 ERA. He tossed 181 innings, gave up 25 long balls. Since he is a knuckleballer, he can pitch until he’s 80 and still be effective. He has a 178-157 career record and is slated to throw his first playoff game this postseason on Tuesday. I would expect for Boston to pick up the option…

• Kip Wells (32)

He’s a former Ranger. He played for KC this year… and it wasn’t pretty. He started two games and pitched in 25, going 1-3 in 37.2 innings. His ERA was a monstrosity at 6.21 and he had a 1.83 WHIP. To say that these numbers are ugly would be an understatement. He may get an invitation to spring training as a non-roster invitee, but that might be it for him…

• Randy Wolf (32)

He started 33 games for the Astros with one complete game shutout. Going 190.1 innings, he had a split record at 12-12 and a respectable 4.30 ERA. He did give up 21 shots out, walked 71 and gave up 191 hits, for a 1.38 WHIP. He would be a good signing, although it would be unclear if he should grab a five or six year deal, or end up with a two or three year deal.

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