2009 Pittsburgh Rotation?

[Cardinals]

Two shoe ins:

Tim Lincecum
John Lackey

Then we will have a battle royale:

Carlos Rosa
Jarrod Washburn
Braden Looper
Tommy Hanson
Scott Elbert
Rich Hill
Derrek Holland
Mitch Atkins
Dallas Braden
Eric Stults

While the Pirates think very highly of all the prospects, Tommy Hanson, Carlos Rosa, Scott Elbert, Derrek Holland et al, we're not sure any except for Rosa will really be an asset next year, though, every time Tommy Hanson starts he seemingly dominates and continues to increase his stock. His ERA is now 3.39 with 93 K in 82 IP (AA). That coupled with his other numbers could lead to a respectable and usable projection next year, possibly making the 3-5 look pretty respectable. Braden Looper and Jarrod Washburn should be very solid innings eaters and fill out a 4-5 role well.

Pretty confident in finding 3 SPs out of that group to use next year, and extremely confident in the longterm forecasts of these pitchers. That said, would like to add another P to go behind Lackey, but if we can't, it's not the end of the world.

[Giants]

Looper's your ace no doubt.

[Rangers]

Watch out for Holland!

[Cardinals]

Watch out for Holland!

Indeed.

Several pitchers recently drafted or acquired by the Rangers are getting a lot of attention, starting with Blake Beavan, Neftali Feliz, Tommy Hunter, Michael Main and Neil Ramirez. But Derek Holland is flying under the radar despite an outstanding season. What can you tell us about him?

Zack Wristen
Abilene, Texas

Holland just missed cracking our Rangers Top 30 in the 2008 Prospect Handbook, but he'll easily make it in next year's edition. In his first full season as a pro, he has gone 10-1, 2.60 in 22 starts between low Class A Clinton and high Class A Bakersfield. Opponents are hitting just .217 with three homers against him, and he has posted a 128-34 K-BB ratio in 125 innings.

A 25th-round pick out of Wallace State (Ala.) CC in the 2006 draft, Holland signed as a draft-and-follow the next spring. Credit area scout Rick Schroeder with a tremendous find. Holland has a better fastball than most lefthanders, as it ranges from 91-97 mph and really jumps on hitters. His changeup is a solid second pitch, and he'll also flash a quality slider. He still has a ways to go, but Holland has a ceiling of a No. 2 starter.

[Cardinals]

Also, don't count out Dan Giese for a rotation spot. 2.35 ERA, 0.99 WHIP for the Bronx Bombers. Spring Training will be very competitive next March for Pittsburgh.

[Cardinals]

Pittsburgh decided to kick off the offseason in style. Looking to bring a postseason berth back to the franchise in 2009, the Pirates went out and acquired former MLB Cardinal (Fuck you Mark Mulder) Dan Haren. This gives the Pirates a legitimate three headed monster atop of the rotation that should give the Pirates a chance to win over 60% of the time by default next year.

The 2009 Pittsburgh rotation now consists of:

Tim Lincecum - 2.62 ERA, 265 SO, 1.17 WHIP, .221 BAA, 227 IP
Dan Haren - 3.33 ERA, 206 SO, 1.13 WHIP, .247 BAA, 216 IP
John Lackey - 3.75 ERA, 130 SO, 1.23 WHIP, .260 BAA, 163.1 IP (Fuck you Texas for perpetually trashing Lack. That said, still pretty nasty numbers.)
Braden Looper 4.16 ERA, 108 SO, 1.31 WHIP, .279 BAA, 199 IP

That would be the 7th, 13th, 29th, and 43rd best WHIPs in the league this year. Yes, Looper's WHIP was the 43rd best in the league- better than DiceK's, Burnett's, Volquez's, Cain's and Billingsley. Not saying Looper is a better pitcher than these guys, but his year was very under the radar and he was a very good pitcher for the Cardinals this past year, giving them nearly 200 innings of controlled baseball.

The fifth spot in the rotation will go to a slew of candidates including Tommy Hanson who had his break out campaign in the minors this year, Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Rosa, Rich Hill, Dan Giese and Eric Stults.

[Astros]

I would like to extend a big heart Fuck You to JP on behalf of the Cardinals

[Tigers]

That would be the 7th, 13th, 29th, and 43rd best WHIPs in the league this year. Yes, Looper's WHIP was the 43rd best in the league- better than DiceK's, Burnett's, Volquez's, Cain's and Billingsley. Not saying Looper is a better pitcher than these guys, but his year was very under the radar and he was a very good pitcher for the Cardinals this past year, giving them nearly 200 innings of controlled baseball.

The fifth spot in the rotation will go to a slew of candidates including Tommy Hanson who had his break out campaign in the minors this year, Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Rosa, Rich Hill, Dan Giese and Eric Stults.

Of note, is that Looper's FIP ERA and xFIP ERA is in the 4.5 range while Burnett's is in the 3.5 and 3.6 range.

Just say'n.

[Cardinals]

Tim Lincecum - 2.62 ERA, 265 SO, 1.17 WHIP, .221 BAA, 227 IP
Dan Haren - 3.33 ERA, 206 SO, 1.13 WHIP, .247 BAA, 216 IP
John Lackey - 3.75 ERA, 130 SO, 1.23 WHIP, .260 BAA, 163.1 IP (Fuck you Texas for perpetually trashing Lack. That said, still pretty nasty numbers.)
Gavin Floyd- 3.84 ERA, 145 SO, 1.26 WHIP, .241 BAA, 206.1 IP
Braden Looper 4.16 ERA, 108 SO, 1.31 WHIP, .279 BAA, 199 IP

That gives us a nice rotation, all right handed but we don't care for Ned Flanders or his leftorium. Ages are 24, 28, 30, 25 and 33. By the time Looper is all done, hopefully Rich Hill has his head screwed on properly and Michael Main will be established as the next Tim Hudson. The Pirates are gearing up for a 2009 run which will be anchored by these arms.

[Cardinals]

Tim Lincecum - 2.62 ERA, 265 SO, 1.17 WHIP, .221 BAA, 227 IP
CC Sabathia - 2.70 ERA, 251 SO, 1.11 WHIP, .237 BAA, 253 IP, 10 CG
Dan Haren - 3.33 ERA, 206 SO, 1.13 WHIP, .247 BAA, 216 IP
John Lackey - 3.75 ERA, 130 SO, 1.23 WHIP, .260 BAA, 163.1 IP
Braden Looper 4.16 ERA, 108 SO, 1.31 WHIP, .279 BAA, 199 IP

Have fun.

[Phillies]

wow.

[Cardinals]

Tim Lincecum - 2.62 ERA, 265 SO, 1.17 WHIP, .221 BAA, 227 IP
CC Sabathia - 2.70 ERA, 251 SO, 1.11 WHIP, .237 BAA, 253 IP, 10 CG
Dan Haren - 3.33 ERA, 206 SO, 1.13 WHIP, .247 BAA, 216 IP
John Lackey - 3.75 ERA, 130 SO, 1.23 WHIP, .260 BAA, 163.1 IP
Braden Looper 4.16 ERA, 108 SO, 1.31 WHIP, .279 BAA, 199 IP

That's pretty set. We also have Rich Hill (recovering headcase), Jarrod Washburn, Dan Giese and Eric Stults who should be getting respectable and usable SP projections.

That said, the bullpen has needed work and just day by day it seems like it's gotten better. We don't have a set closer in Pittsburgh, but we have compiled a lot of good/great underrated Middle Relief.

vs righties, we'll be sending out:
Octavio Dotel: 3.76 ERA, 67 IP, 92 SO, 1.21 WHIP, .208 BAA - .194 BAA vs RHB
Manny Acosta: 3.57 ERA, 53 IP, 31 SO, 1.40 WHIP, .247 BAA - .218 BAA vs RHB
Josh Kinney: 0.00 ERA, 7 IP, 8 SO, 0.57 WHIP, .125 BAA - recovered from TJ, only had 25 (good) innings from 2006 as well
Duaner Sanchez: 4.32 ERA, 58.1 IP, 44 SO, 1.32 WHIP, .238 BAA - .268 BAA vs RHB, .200 vs LHB (odd)
Dan Giese: 3.53 ERA, 43.1 IP, 29 SO, 1.22 WHIP, .232 BAA - .260 v RHB, .209 v LHB

vs lefties:
Scott Elbert 2.40 ERA, 41.1 IP, 46 SO, 1.02 WHIP, .157 BAA, .143 BAA vs LHB - AA numbers
Mitch Stetter 3.20 ERA, 25.1 IP, 31 SO, 1.30 WHIP, .165 BAA, .158 BAA vs LHB - also had filthy AAA numbers.


Also figuring to contribute:
Ryan Franklin: 3.55 ERA, 78.2 IP, 51 SO, 1.47 WHIP
John Meloan: 4.89 ERA, 119.2 IP, 111 SO, .283 BAA AAA - bounced between orgs and starting and relieving
Matt Guerrier: 5.19 ERA, 76.1 IP, 1.59 WHIP, coming off a 2006 of an ERA 3.36 and 2007 at 2.35... rooting for heavy 06/07 emphasis.
Eric Stults: 3.49 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .252 BAA, 38.2 IP, 30 SO