2012 Rotation plus value in Rich Harden

by Staghorn on Dec 30, 2011 9:35 AM EST

Everyone talks about the rotation being a weak spot, and I'd have to agree that a mid- to top-tier addition would be perfect. Given the extreme price to pay in prospects for locked up guys, and the fact that most FA pitchers of value have signed elsewhere, I think the prudent course of action is to stay the course, audition some young arms, and add a value pitcher who can make 25 starts and eat some innings.. Hopefully by the latter parts of the year, some of the farm arms will force their way into a callup.

The rotation as I see it is this:

Romero

Morrow

Cecil - I'm hoping his new fitness regime will let him come back and be an effective 15 game winner again - I could be wrong... Great fitness doesn't always equate to great pitching, but at least he's trying to regain velocity and effectiveness.

Henderson Alvarez - excellent debut last year, could be poised to have an impact - I was impressed. I hope he becomes a strong and surprising #3.

McGowan - might be better suited to the bullpen - long relief or spot starting, but physically we saw that he can still throw HARD.

Drabek - who knows where his head is at. Might have earned a year of AAA attitude adjustment. Has potential though.

I think Rich Harden poses some value as a "cheaper" option for free agent arms.. YES, his injury history is not good, but he still brings the heat and can still dominate hitters. Potentially, his $$$/inning - quality start could pose a good value if he can contribute as a #4 or #5 on a one year deal... Plus the marketing spinoff of a "canadian born pitcher" will add a few butts in the seats and eyes on TV...

I wanted the Jays to sign Buehrle for this role - more $$$ but super durable inning eater.

Harden is a Low risk signing that could pay off.

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Comments

I agree

and good for you posting two solid fanposts in two days!

I am the Walrus

by yleviticus on Dec 30, 2011 9:42 AM EST reply actions

I'd be down with signing Harden to a short contract

1 or 2 years would be fine. He wouldn’t block prospects because they can pitch when the inevitable happens and Harden hits the DL.

by siggian on Dec 30, 2011 10:40 AM EST reply actions

Overly ambitious...

Perhaps I was overly ambitious in suggesting Harden would eat up 25 starts – given his past history, perhaps 15 -20 might be more realistic.. in any event, if he can contribute even for the first half of the year, perhaps Drabek can get back in the game by then, McGowan can recover and contribute, or someone from AA / AAA can step up…

by Staghorn on Dec 30, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

I bet he won't be a starter this year

With his limited arsenal of pitches, great fastball and great slider, he seems destined to be a closer. Plus that might result in him getting injured less. If we didn’t already trade for a closer I think that mifht have been a good role for him with us.

Man who has four balls cannot walk

by Beer Leaguer on Dec 30, 2011 12:41 PM EST via Android app reply actions

I still wouldn't mind signing him

You could use him as a set-up man (one year deal where he’s showing he can make the transition type thing, don’t know if anyone would trust him to be closer this year).

by MjwW on Dec 30, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

True!

The team said they didn’t want Janssen as the set-up man for some reason. That leaves the spot open.

Man who has four balls cannot walk

by Beer Leaguer on Dec 30, 2011 2:09 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I don't understand it much either

But apparently we need a setup man.

I’m fine with that being Rich Harden. Im also fine with him being used as a back of the rotation starter.

by Mike Andrew on Dec 30, 2011 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

Laffey?

dors anyone want aaron laffey in the rotation? http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/blue-jays-sign-aaron-laffey.html

by bluebird24 on Dec 30, 2011 7:49 PM EST reply actions

lol no

His 2011 wRC+ is 26

by Pikachu on Dec 30, 2011 7:54 PM EST up reply actions

I assume you're implying that ...

…. hell, if he’s in the rotation, the rotation’s in bad shape. Because he would presumably have to earn a spot.

by Defense Counts! on Dec 31, 2011 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah

I can’t imagine he’s more than the 7th on the depth chart right now (Romero, Morrow, Alvarez/Cecil/McGowan/Drabek in some order, then maybe him. Villanueva might even be above him).

by MjwW on Dec 31, 2011 12:57 AM EST up reply actions

I like it

Sign Harden as a setup man, use Jassen as a long reliever

by Gruber17 on Dec 30, 2011 10:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

and of course, there is the canadian factor.

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Go Flames Go!
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by Justin Azevedo on Jan 2, 2012 6:26 AM EST reply actions

Harden could be a possible option

who knows what AA is doing in his lair right now, but i am sure it involves a wall of names (literally) and a blackberry.

by TrueBlue4Ever! on Jan 2, 2012 11:23 AM EST reply actions

While I agree that Harden would be on AA’s radar, I’m not so sure how he’d do outside of Oakland as a starter. He’s never had a walk rate below 3 BB/9 and he has really low groundball numbers (he hasn’t had above 38.7% GB rate since 2006 and it has been getting worse each year). Flyball pitchers tend to not do very well in the dome, but letting him focus his tools as a reliever (something we’re actually well stocked in now) might be the best option for him.

by Cecilrosa on Jan 3, 2012 3:57 AM EST reply actions

WHY are you trading with Atlanta for JJ

If you were going to help out Atlanta, why dont you trade for Tim Hudson, if they want to cut payroll that much.

That would save them 10% of their payroll, he is a great #2 pitcher in our lineup.

He has two years left (1 plus 1 option). Go get him AA, =Drabek, Snider and Jimenez for Hudson, what is the difference between two years of Garza and Two years of Hudson.

Awaiting your responses

by jensan on Jan 11, 2012 1:31 PM EST reply actions