Hot Stove: 11/3: Pitching on the Market

I am a bit backed up with all that is going on (start of the Hot Stove season, Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers), so expect updates on current news to be a bit delayed.

Left-Handed Starting Pitching on the Market

Mark Buehrle (White Sox): 13-9, 3.59 ERA, .277 BAA, 2012 age: 33.

Buerhle brings a great balance of veteran experience and reliability to a team looking to win some ballgames. He can lead a young staff and be good for at least 200 innings (he hasn't failed to reach the mark since 2000, his rookie season). 

C.J. Wilson (Rangers): 16-7, 2.94 ERA, .232 BAA, 2012 age: 31.

Arguably the best starter on the market, he is bound to end up with a multi-year contract worth plenty of money.

Paul Maholm (Pirates): 6-14, 3.66 ERA, .262 BAA, 2012 age: 30.

Don't let the record fool you; Maholm is a very talented pitcher, and has the potential to be a solid middle-of the rotation guy.  He is a bit inconsistent, as he has not in his entire career had back to back seasons with ERAs in the same whole number over his 7 year career (2.18,4.76, 5.02, 3.71, 4.44, 5.10, 3.66). 

Bruce Chen (Royals): 12-8, 3.77 ERA, .258 BAA, 2012 age: 35.

Chen, who has already pitched for 10 teams in his major league career, including 8 from 2000-2004, always seems to come up big in whatever situation he is stuck in.  He may not come at too lofty a price.

Right-Handed Starting Pitching

Roy Oswalt (Phillies): 9-10, 3.69 ERA, .280 BAA, 2012 age: 34.

If you want a top of the rotation guy for a low price, Oswalt is the way to go. He has a great track record, though minor injuries have occurred in his last few seasons. 

Hiroki Kuroda (Dodgers): 13-16, 3.07 ERA, .254 BAA, 2012 age: 37.

Kuroda is beginning to age, but if you are willing to pay for a couple more stellar seasons, Kuroda will provide results and give you a chance to win every time he steps on a mound. 

Freddy Garcia (Yankees): 12-8, 3.62 ERA, .268 BAA, 2012 age: 35.

Garcia posted a comeback year in 2011 at 34, but given the fact that he hasn't been too consistent over his past few seasons, he could be a gamble.

Aaron Harang (Padres): 14-7, 3.64 ERA, .269 BAA, 2012 age: 34.

Harang, five wins short of 100 for his career (and one win over .500), has had an inconsistent but stellar career, and will prove to be a valuable middle of the rotation guy.

Edwin Jackson (Cardinals): 12-9, 3.79 ERA, .290 BAA, 2012 age: 28.

I can recite his numbers from memory because of all of his appearances in "Today's Probables" in the postseason, four to be exact.  He was 5-2 with a 3.58 ERA after his trade to the Cardinals, and proved to be extremely valuable to their stretch run.

Left-Handed Relievers

George Sherrill (Braves): 3-1, 3.00 ERA, .248 BAA, 0-1 in Save Opps, 2012 age: 35.

Sherill could prove to be a gamble, as been extremely inconsistent over the past few seasons, especially noting a jump in ERA from 1.70 in 2009 to 6.69 in 2010 and back down to 3.00 in 2011. If he comes through, he could prove to be a valuable left-handed stopper.

Darren Oliver (Rangers): 5-5, 2.29 ERA, .236 BAA, 2-6 in Save Opps, 2012 age: 41.

If he decides to come back for another season, Oliver will bring consistency and reliability to whatever team he joins.
Right-Handed Relievers

Heath Bell (Padres): 3-4, 2.44 ERA, .223 BAA, 43-48 in Save Opps, 2012 age: 34.

The top reliever on the market will end up a closer on some lucky team willing to cash in big time for the big, animated right-hander.

Jonathan Papelbon (Red Sox): 4-1, 2.94 ERA, .207 BAA, 31-34 in Save Opps, 2012 age: 31.

Papelbon is one of the most intimidating closers in the majors, and I don't blame the intimidated. He has dominated since day one in a Red Sox uniform and will make almost as much or more than Bell.

Ryan Madson (Phillies): 4-2, 2.37 ERA, 32-34 in Save Opps, .243 BAA, 2012 age: 31.

Madson stepped up big time in Brad Lidge's absence, and looks to be a big subject in the 2012 Hot Stove season.

Francisco Rodriguez (Mets/Brewers): 6-2, 2.64 ERA, .243 BAA, 23-29 in Save Opps, 2012 age: 30.

Though he has run into some off-field trouble recently, Rodgriguez remains one of the top relievers in the game who can be counted on to pitch 65+ games.

Francisco Cordero (Reds): 5-3, 2.45 ERA, .198 BAA, 37-43 in Save Opps, 2012 age: 37.

Cordero just about rounds out the surprisingly large top tier of relief available on the market, bringing 753 appearances and 327 saves over 13 seasons to the table.

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Teams followed in this update: Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves

If your team is not included or you would like to be included on the original email that I send out every morning, please leave a comment and I will take care of it.

HR: home runs.  RBI: runs batted in.  AVG: batting average.  SB: stolen bases.  ERA: earned run average.  BAA: batting average against.  K's: strikeouts. WPCT: winning percentage
Zack Silverman