There are still two difference making pitchers available in the free agency Jordan Zimmerman, and Jeff Samardzija. I am also going to be talking about Mike Leake, who is a good role piece pitcher in the free agency.
Jordan Zimmerman
Zimmerman is 29 years old, and has pitched in seven major league seasons. Five of those seven years Zimmerman has been a full time starter, and has been solid. He broke out in 2013, when he made his first of two All-Star appearances. Zimmerman's 2013 stats were as follows: 19-9 record, 3.25 ERA, 33 games started, 4 complete games, 213.1 innings pitched, and 161 strike-outs. Zimmerman was starting to look like the number one pitcher of the Nationals, before they signed Max Scherzer. That didn't stop Zimmerman from having another great season in 2015 with Scherzer on the team. What I like about Zimmerman is he is durable, and you know what you are going to get. When he takes the mound you know he is going to give you 6 solid innings, and give you a chance to win. He can pitch all year, and into the playoffs without getting hurt. He is definitely on a lot of teams radars right now. I think he ends up in a Chicago Cubs uniform next season. The Cubs have expressed their interest in Zimmerman and I think he will have a better contract price tag, so the Cubs can go out and add more pieces this offseason. The Cubs clearly have a solid number one and number two pitcher. After that the Cubs don't have much to offer. I do see the Cardinals, Red Sox, and Yankees getting into the mix.
Jeff Samardzija
The Shark is 30 years old, and has pitched in 8 major league seasons. Samardzija has had an interesting career showing glimpses of being a front of the rotation starting pitcher, and glimpses of being a back of the rotation starting pitcher. Samardzija has had one All Star season in 2014 when he split time with the Chicago Cubs, and Oakland A's. 2015 was a different story, after Smardzija finishes with a career high in hits, and earned runs. He also finished with a career low in strike-outs, since he has been a full time starter. There are some positives in Smardizija's game that makes him a valuable free agent. He has the potential to be a front of the rotation starter if the right pitching coach can tweak some of his weak areas. Smardzija might be 30 years old, but he hasn't pitched as much as most people his age. I see Smardzija returning to the National League, since this is where he has pitched his best. The Chicago Cubs have been in discussions with Smardzija and a return may be possible. If he were to go to the American League I like the Toronto Bluejays to sign Smardzija. They are losing David Price and are going to need a suitable replacement, or multiple replacements.
Mike Leake
Mike Leake can be a difference maker, but I like to put him as a role player. I don't see him being higher than a number 3 man in a starting rotation. Leake is 28 years old and has pitched in 6 major league seasons. Leake has been a solid, and durable starter since he has entered the league. He makes 30 plus starts a season, and usually finishes with a high 3.00 ERA. That makes him a back of the rotation starter in most teams rotations. Leake has finished with double digit wins 4 out of his 6 seasons played. All these statistics show me that he is probably going to re-sign with the Giants, who need to keep what pitching they have. The Giants do not have much pitching after Bumgarner, and Leake was one of there best pitchers last season, once they traded the Reds for him. If he were to leave, I see the Toronto Blue Jays as a likely team to sign him.The Blue Jays will be looking for cheaper pitching, but proven talent. Thats why I have the Blue Jays going for both Smardzija and Leake this offseason.
No comments:
Post a Comment