Comments on: $7 Mil No Good For Pedro?

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:46:58 +0000

Not any pitcher can be a closer, because not everyone can warm up quickly. I remember the Red Sox tried to convert a once-dominant starter into a closer only to see the experiment fail because his repeatedly-injured arm couldn’t warm up/ bounce back. Ramon Martinez.

By: b_rider

b_rider — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:46:41 +0000

Pedro may _think_ he’s worth more or can produce better numbers than his projections would suggest, but the question is whether any team would be rational to agree. The projections that suggest he’ll be injured and/or ineffective seem reasonable to me. Perhaps he’s worth a gamble, but when you’re gambling you shouldn’t pay for the possible ceiling.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:45:23 +0000

I’m thinking with him as a closer fatigue will become less of an issue so control and a drop in velocity will be less of an issue.

If I were running a fringe team in the need of someone to close down innings I would give him serious consideration.

With Pedro’s mentality a highly incentives and bonus related contract might be something Pedro goes for as a means to prove people wrong. Give him a base salary of 7MM with another year at 10MM that vests provided he pitches X innings.

Pedro would definitely psych out a few batters coming out of the bullpen.

By: Viktor

Viktor — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:49:01 +0000

His walks were way up this year, his velocity is declining. Sure, he could be a bullpen arm, but thats not an effective way to spend 7m for any team.

I saw him this year a lot and I dont know what to think. He did have flashes of dominance, but really struggled with control and keeping the ball down in some of his outings.

By: Eric Seidman

Eric Seidman — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:03:10 +0000

Well, you’re asking someone who pretty much believes that ANY pitcher can become a closer with the right marketing.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:58:51 +0000

Could he evolve into a closer?