Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
. . . but tough to execute. I'm guessing that some of the top free agent pitchers would avoid GABP at all costs due to the stat inflation. Many of us (perhaps myself included) keep banking on a free agent pitcher in the offseason, but to be realistic, how many top-notch pitchers are willing to come to the Reds at a reasonable price? My guess is "few". I don't see a Barry Zito-type free agent coming here, but that's just my view. What do y'all think?
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
Eric Milton was considered one of the top starters available on the FA market at the time he was signed. The price was far from reasonable, though. I don't see the current crop of FA starters being any more of a bargain.
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
I think if pitchers avoid us it has more to with the losing culture of the past ten years than it does the ball park. Arroyo and Harang have proven that good pitchers can succeed pitching half of their games at GABP.
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
Ted Lilly would be a good target, IMO, at a medium-range cost ($6-7 million per year).
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
I have been beating the drum long enough...we need ted lilly
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Unassisted
Eric Milton was considered one of the top starters available on the FA market at the time he was signed. The price was far from reasonable, though.
you also have to remember that signing Milton was name recognition and trying to save face by being able to say "the Yankees wanted him."
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
:confused: Take a moment to look at how the Reds acquired our only two quality starting pitchers. Neither were in the rotation for their respective teams at the time of the trades, and had pitching depth. Both cost quality hitters. Top line FA starters aren't coming here. You might get a Doug Davis or Vincente Padilla, but not a Zito or even a Lilly. If Guillen could draw Harang, and Wily Mo could draw Arroyo, I'd have thought that Kearns/Lopez could have drawn a similiar return.
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
What's so great about Ted Lilly? He's a slight flyball pitcher with minor control problems. Not saying he wouldn't be an upgrade, he certainly would. But it's not like he particularly fits GABP.
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
More than likely, the Yanks will nab Zito.......like they do everyone else.
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
I dont see Zito going to the Yanks...I think you'll see him sign with a west coast team. But they'll definitly try to get either zito or schmidt
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
I'd say the most recent free agent pitchers were either disappointments or overly injured, Pedro Martinez, Carl Pavano, Matt Clement, Eric Milton, Russ Ortiz, Kris Benson, Jon Lieber, and Jaret Wright. I'd rather develop another potential starter like Harang or Arroyo. BTW, I seriously doubt Kearns and Lopez were not on anyones radar for starting pitchers.
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RedsManRick
What's so great about Ted Lilly? He's a slight flyball pitcher with minor control problems. Not saying he wouldn't be an upgrade, he certainly would. But it's not like he particularly fits GABP.
No offense to the others, but this is the best comment in the entire thread. I think Lilly would be an upgrade over the number 5 spot we were running out there (Mays, Michalek, etc.) but I believe he would cost as much or more than Eric Milton. He's not an ace, but a mid-to back of the rotation starter. In cincy they are going to cost that much.
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RedsManRick
What's so great about Ted Lilly? He's a slight flyball pitcher with minor control problems. Not saying he wouldn't be an upgrade, he certainly would. But it's not like he particularly fits GABP.
A) He probably won't be that expensive
B) He's a lefty who can strike batters out at a high rate
C) He doesn't have chronic injury problems (like a degenerative knee, Eric Milton)
D) He wouldn't cost the Reds any talent to acquire
Quote:
Originally Posted by mth123
No offense to the others, but this is the best comment in the entire thread. I think Lilly would be an upgrade over the number 5 spot we were running out there (Mays, Michalek, etc.) but I believe he would cost as much or more than Eric Milton. He's not an ace, but a mid-to back of the rotation starter. In cincy they are going to cost that much.
Yes, he would upgrade the #5 spot. He would also upgrade the #4 and #3 spots. By a lot.
Lilly is better than anyone the Reds could trot out aside from Arroyo and Harang. He would give the Reds three high-quality starters in the rotation.
As I said earlier, the Reds don't have enough tradeable talent left to acquire a quality starting pitcher. They have to do it via free agency. IMO, Lilly is one of a few guys they could realistically sign without breaking the bank.
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
Anybody think the Reds could be major players for RHP Mike Mussina, who the Yankees might not re-sign?
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASAp...layerID=119608
Re: Free Agent Pitcher: Great Idea
What do you think the cost will be for Mussina? He will probably get a ton and maybe find a sucker to give him another multi year deal. I wouldnt mind him, he would be better than everyone not named Harang and Arroyo.