January 27, 2010

Wakefield Feels Great, But Rotation Spot Not Guaranteed

Tim Wakefield says he is fully healed from back surgery and he believes he can be a full-time starter.
Last year I was on my way to pitching 200 innings [108.2 at the ASB] and then due to circumstances beyond my control -- I didn't hurt my shoulder, I didn't hurt myself pitching, I hurt my back swinging in interleague -- it didn't happen. ... I think I've earned the right to be a full-time starter and go from there.
Even if Wakefield is healthy, there are still five other possible starters -- Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Lackey, and Clay Buchholz.

Jeremy Hermida avoided arbitration by agreeing yesterday to a $3.345 million contract for 2010. ... You have probably already heard about this, but Ian Browne has some inside information on the Jason Bay contract talks -- and disputes about the health of Bay's shoulder and knees.

The ProJo's Joe McDonald has a feature on outfield prospect Ryan Westmoreland. Gary DiSarcina managed Westmoreland in Lowell (A):
He has zero fear hitting with two strikes on him. ... He's very mature in the field [and] you don't have to tell him things twice. He retains information very well, and he makes adjustments, which is very rare for kids his age.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

This "Wakefield to the pen" talk is yet ANOTHER reason to hate the Lackey signing.

@#$%in' Lackey.

accudart said...

I have to like the Lackey signing. I think we learned last year that no matter how many pitchers you have on paper you still never have enough pitching. Things have a way of working themselves out anyways, someone might be etc. I really hope we do have a problem excess pitching.

accudart said...

Love to see we're getting closer to Truck day!

Anonymous said...

Think about it; Lester/Beckett's heat, Wakefield's knuckle, and to close it out Pap's expanding pitch arsenal.

Anonymous said...

Mentions J.D. Drew when he was in Alaska:

#10!

http://www.49thstatehardball.com/2010/01/all-time-top-abl-players-10-jd-drew.html

Zenslinger said...

I guess the Yankees are serious about keeping that payroll trim at $200m. They're signing Randy Winn for $2m.

I'd like to see Damon back in Oakland. I'm really happy to see him in any other uniform that those freakin' pinstripes, though.

accudart said...

Yeah I'd like to see Damon in Oakland as well. They forked over big money for Sheets, if they can pony up enough for Damon they just might compete. If they are not in the running they can be a sellar at the trade deadline and pick up more prospects. The trade for Taylor I think will turn out to be huge for them. I think they will surprise and that division is up for grabs.

Philip said...

Blogtard--totally correct.

Accu--Pitching depth is all well and good, but paying a #3/4-quality starter #1 starter money when we have a cheap internal option is dumb.

CEB II said...

As they say, you can't have too much pitching, as illustrated last year. I'm sure a situation will crop up where Wake will get 20-25 starts next year. He truly deserves it. Counting the days until Truck Day arrives! http://bit.ly/c0koBS

Zenslinger said...

Uh, Lackey's pretty much Josh Beckett, at least statisically speaking. Wake's great and all, but we didn't keep him around to take a rotation spot from a better pitcher if we have one.

Was just reading about Taylor, accu. I saw that the A's also have our old friend Chris Carter as well.

accudart said...

Sheets is a gamble, however it's just money. I know the A's are limited but they may be able to turn Sheets over in July for some big prospects that someone else paid the signing bonuses on. Then his price might just seem very cheap.

I really love Taylor, not sure but I don't think it's the same Chris Carter however. Can anyone confirm that?

Zenslinger said...

There are two Chris Carters, and I was trying to distinguish them last night...whoops, you're right. Oakland's CC is not the Paw Sox/Red Sox Carter. I think he went to the Mets as the PBTNL for Wagner?

accudart said...

Mets acquired outfielder Chris Carter and first baseman Eddie Lora as the players to be named later for Billy Wagner.

Carter hit .294 with 25 doubles, 16 homers and 61 RBI in 428 at-bats at Triple-A Pawtucket this season, and though he's no longer a true prospect at age 27, the left-handed hitter could certainly factor into the Mets' outfield plans in 2010---from Rotoworld, your were correct!