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2007 Second Ace: Who and How?
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TAP
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:54 am    Post subject: 2007 Second Ace: Who and How? Reply with quote

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette this morning wrote:
Chances are, you do not recall that Brian Anderson started Game 3 of the 2001 World Series for the Arizona Diamondbacks, or that Danny Bautista was their leading hitter in the series, or that their cleanup hitters during those seven games against the Yankees were Reggie Sanders, Erubiel Durazo and Gregg Colbrunn.

More than any other team in recent memory, the 2001 Diamondbacks were a postseason monster built around just two players – aces Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.

When the question is asked – what does it mean to be “built for the postseason?” – the 2001 Diamondbacks come immediately to mind. More than any other factor, having two (or more) dominant starting pitchers, preferably of the “power” variety, translates into postseason success.

“That’s really the only thing that matters, in my mind – two outstanding starting pitchers,” said St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, whose 2004 squad was beaten in the World Series by a Boston Red Sox team led by aces Schilling and Pedro Martinez. “Other than that, there’s nothing about a good postseason team that’s any different from what you also need in the regular season.”

Florida Marlins Manager Joe Girardi, a veteran of the late-1990s New York Yankees postseason powerhouses, put forth a list of attributes very much like our own: “To me,” Girardi said, “it takes dominant starting pitching, a dynamite bullpen, an offense that can produce runs a lot of different ways and a team that doesn’t panic when it’s behind. The Yankees of that era had all of those things.”

Still, overwhelmingly, the answers kept coming back to the same thing.

“Two lights-out starting pitchers,” said Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who pitched for the Red Sox from 2003 to ’05. “What we did in 2004 would’ve never happened without two No. 1s (Martinez and Schilling). And in 2005, when we got beat by the White Sox, I felt like we were a Pedro Martinez short of winning the World Series.”


We know that the 2006 Diamondbacks don't currently have the pitching to take them far into the playoffs. The question now becomes: Who can we pick up as a true 2nd ace to Webb for 2007 and how do we do it?

From Josh Byrnes' statements, it's clear that he doesn't intend to acquire that top-tier pitcher via free agency.

1) What non-free agent pitcher is the best fit for Chase Field that would qualify as a true 2nd ace?
2) Would that pitcher's salary fit within the Diamondbacks' budget for 2007?
3) Who would be required in trade to land that 2nd ace?
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tmar
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I made a quick grab of some SP with decent ERA's that are on teams who are more prone to trades. Just for reference:

TEAM ERA AGE $$
Kazmir TB 3.24 22 .4 2YR/ARB
Sabathia CL 3.30 26 8.75mm/9mm
Lackey LAA 3.60 27 5.5mm/7mm+9mm
Haren OAK 3.80 25 2.2mm/4mm/5.5mm+6.75MM
Bedard BAL 3.92 27 1.4arb
Westbrook CL 4.27 28 5.6CO
Escobar LAA 3.79 30 3yr28.5

Verlander DET 3.42 23 thru 09 cheap
Bonderman DET 3.92 23 2.3mm arb
Robertson DET 4.10 28 .4 arb?

J Johnson FL 2.90 22 0.324
Capuano MIL 3.53 28 0.35
Lowry SF 3.75 25 1.15mm/2.25mm/4.5mm+6.25club
Willis FL 4.04 24 4.35arb

$$ with / between them are for 07 on, for instance 1.15mm/2.25mm/4.5mm+6.25club means 1.15 for 07, 2.25 08, 4.5 09 with a 6.25 club option for 10.
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tmar
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Below is a list of players that could be traded that we could make adjustments for:

Tracy/Jackson
Byrnes
Estrada
Clark
Hairston
Carter
Hudson/Callaspo
Daigle
Hammock
Brito

En Gon
Ed Gon
Nippert
Cruz
Valverde
Aquino
Bacsik
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Robert S.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think if this team is going to give up useful parts to acquire a legitimate second ace, it has to be for a guy who is likely to still be an ace in '08 - '10. Aside from Carlos Zambrano, I can't think of anyone who is on the cusp of FA that fulfills that.

Next season seems like a consolidation-type year above all else to me.
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shoewizard
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Robert S. wrote:
I think if this team is going to give up useful parts to acquire a legitimate second ace, it has to be for a guy who is likely to still be an ace in '08 - '10. Aside from Carlos Zambrano, I can't think of anyone who is on the cusp of FA that fulfills that.

Next season seems like a consolidation-type year above all else to me.


I am getting the same feeling too. They are not looking for a quick strike.
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tmar
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That would make sense but they'll have to make a move to maintain the facade that we're a contender. Argue the logic all you want, but there's no two ways about it, the FO has to show they are trying next year.

That in mind I would think it makes the most sense to blow our wad on a pitcher that we'll control for the next 3+ yrs. To some degree it makes sense to bite part of the bullet this year, prospect-wise, as we have several prospects we need to trade or use and there are a few that we'll likely never use like Carter.

I would say that we put a package together of a group of guys for one of the low budget teams for a future ace that we'll control until 2010 or beyond. For instance, what would it take to get Kazmir?
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kazmir has a small frame and a herky-jerky delivery. it's part of the reason the mets said goodbye to him. that said, i think he'd be gettable. not next year, but soon after that. i don't think TB sees him as longterm ace material, and i wouldn't be surprised if they shipped him away. but i don't see it next year -- they're pitching-thin and he's a big hit with the 3 or 4 fans they have.

(actually, they have at least 7 -- some guys show up at all his home to have K A Z M I R painted on their chests. that's 6. but so as not to be gay, they have a girl who comes with them to paint their chests for them. i swear to god. i read an article about it.)

i called a friend of mine who follows padilla -- the guy lev was talking about. he's sending me some tapes to watch of his delivery and his stuff. i'm excited.

i don't think we need an ace next year. we need a competant starting pitcher. even setting the bar that low is a huge improvement over this season.
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tmar
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I thought about Padilla, but if Byrnes is stuck on the "no FA Pitcher" line, then he's out.
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B. O. N. D.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

tmar wrote:
I thought about Padilla, but if Byrnes is stuck on the "no FA Pitcher" line, then he's out.


I bet if an offer is right, he'll take it. He's just not going to get bent-over like you know who...
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McCray
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

tmar wrote:
I thought about Padilla, but if Byrnes is stuck on the "no FA Pitcher" line, then he's out.


but his justifications for the no fa rule was that you're paying for past success. padilla hasn't had that much success. with him, you really might just be paying for league average pitching (which in and of itself would be great) and possibly a bit more.

i get the feel the no fa line is more about no fa pitchers who are perceived to be top of the line starters, because they'd just command far too much.

but i could be totally talking out of my ass.
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tmar
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wonder what it would take for us to get Lowry? SF seems to make stupid trades and we already have 2 players wanting to go there <Byrnes & Estrada>. I wonder what else we'd have to toss in to get them interested.

I don't think Lowry puts us deep in the playoffs next year, but if we had Webb/Lowry and 20MM for pitching in 2008, we'd be able to assemble one heck of a staff.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Id rather have cain... i doubt they trade one of those two within the division..
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tmar
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see us get Padilla AND make a trade for a 3-4 yr solution. If we were to have Webb/Padilla/Lowry/Hernandez/whoever as our rotation next year, we'd look pretty decent and still come in under budget without killing our 2008-9 chances.
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TAP
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gambo just solved all our problems. He just stated that this is a great year for FA pitching and that the DBacks are going to spend serious money picking up FA pitchers this offseason.

Talking out of the ass. Rolling Eyes
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TAP wrote:
Talking out of the ass. Rolling Eyes
Totally... operating without any sense and totally without "inside info" on this one.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Someone send him a link to this board. Please.
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XB3
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TAP wrote:
Gambo just solved all our problems. He just stated that this is a great year for FA pitching and that the DBacks are going to spend serious money picking up FA pitchers this offseason.

Talking out of the ass. Rolling Eyes

I was driving back down from Prescott when I heard him say that. Starting yelling 'dumbass' while doing 85.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well...prior to Sunday's Q&A, I discounted all of JB's prior comments about NOT signing a FA starter as posturing......but I can honestly say that it is only in the last 48 hours I believed him at his word.

I can't really fault Gambo for thinking the team will sign a FA pitcher. Maybe he ready my salary projection thread and didn't see the Q&A thread? Wink
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tmar
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So who do you say the D-Backs go after other than the typical Willis drive? I don't see an Ace in the bunch, some good pitchers but no ace.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gambo likes to throw around the names of Ted Lilly and Gil Meche, and thinks either (or both) would be good additions to the Dbacks rotation.

I haven't bothered to look them up yet (hey, I do actually have to turn some work out occasionally!). Does anyone know anything about either of them? Would they be worth pursuing?
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Meche is still a GB pitcher... barely. His Ks are back up... but so are his HR and he walks a few. 28 years old. He seems up and down... I dunno. Confused
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

EvilJuan wrote:
Gambo likes to throw around the names of Ted Lilly and Gil Meche, and thinks either (or both) would be good additions to the Dbacks rotation.

He used to throw Mark Mulder's name out there (frequent guest/local golf buddy, etc.), but Gambo won't stand by him anymore. Mulder just got lit up again tonight, giving up 5 runs without getting out of the 2nd inning. When healthy he could throw in the low 90s, but topped out at 86, horrible location (walking 3). Mulder should be shut down for the season.

His price tag will be significantly reduced, but he's not to be remotely considered.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bedard, Bedard, Bedard and Bedard. Now, how to get him?
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mulder's name was also mentioned a couple of times during one stretch of the program today, but, to be honest, I don't recall if it was Gambo or Ash who was pushing Mulder as a possible FA acquisition for the Dbacks.

Given what's happening with Mulder, it makes me wonder whether either of these guys (or their crew) knows how to find (and read) the stats pages at MLB.com, or any other site with information and data about player and team performances -- or if they just repeat what other people say to them would be a "good idea."

Speaking of which, what is the sabrmetric that is considered to be a better indicator of a pitcher's effectiveness, in place of the ERA?
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

FIP and DIPS are often looked at as an alternative to ERA.

I don't necessarily think they are "better" metrics...but I use them to help identify guys that might have been overly lucky or unlucky, i.e. much better or worse than their ERA.

THT Pitching Stats

When you get to the page, click on "FIP" column and it will sort. Also check FIP-ERA and see the glossary pages for an explanation.

Also, read This Article

ESPN stats pages also have DIPS numbers, under "sabermetric"

ESPN Stats

Again, click on column headings to sort according....make sure to check top and bottom when you look at DIPS %
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