28
May
2008

Free Agent Starting Pitchers

Posted by admin

Free agency time again, and we take a look at some of the more dependable starting pitchers on your waiver wire. We also throw in some upside picks with left-handers Andrew Miller and Francisco Liriano; two guys bound to find a groove as summer approaches.

Veteran help can be found in large quantities, with Tim Redding, Mike Mussina and Daniel Cabrera leading the way. Here is a look at the latest free agent starting pitchers than can provide an immediate, and dependable addition to your fantasy squad. These players are available in at least 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues.

1. Greg Smith, Oakland Athletics
Status:
Went 6.2 innings allowing zero runs in his last start after losing his last 3 decisions
Key Stats: 49 strikeouts in 63.1 innings
What to Watch For: How many wins can he get with minimal run support?
Other Notes: 3-4 record with a 2.84 ERA

2. Dana Eveland, Oakland Athletics
Status:
Pitched a complete game against the surging Rays last time out
Key Stats: 2.90 ERA
What to Watch For: Strikeout totals improving
Other Notes: Eveland joins teammate Greg Smith as two pitchers with under 3.00 ERAs who are hovering around a .500 record

3. Tim Redding, Washington Nationals
Status:
Gave up five runs in 5.2 innings against the Brewers last time out
Key Stats: Strikeout rate increasing
What to Watch For: Can his teammates help him get wins?
Other Notes: Hasn’t allowed more than two walks in his last three starts

4. Andrew Miller, Florida Marlins
Status:
Got rocked in his last start after pitching seven shutout innings in his previous outing
Key Stats: A .313 opponent batting average
What to Watch For: How is he going to rebound after last outing
Other Notes: Had only allowed four runs in his previous four starts before getting roughed up by the Mets on Tuesday

5. Mike Mussina, New York Yankees
Status:
Got roughed up in his last two outings
Key Stats: Just nine walks in 55.1 innings
What to Watch For: Age and a continued rebound from last year’s mess
Other Notes: Opponents are hitting almost .300 against the Moose

6. Darrell Rasner, New York Yankees
Status:
Lost his last start after allowing only one earned run
Key Stats: 14 strikeouts to three walks
What to Watch For: How he will perform when he starts to face strong opponents
Other Notes: Has a 1.80 ERA to go along with a 0.88 WHIP

7. Jonathan Sanchez, San Francisco Giants
Status:
Has kept his ERA down, allowing only two runs in his last two starts
Key Stats: Still hasn’t won a game since April 25th
What to Watch For: Will the strikeouts keep coming?
Other Notes: His WHIP has ballooned to 1.63

8. Jesse Litsch, Toronto Blue Jays
Status:
Threw a complete game shutout against the Royals last time out
Key Stats: Only eight walks in 58 innings
What to Watch For: Can he continue delivering quality starts?
Other Notes: Has allowed nine homers this season

9. Daniel Cabrera, Baltimore Orioles
Status:
Allowed six walks and strikeout just one in his last start.
Key Stats: Still remains 5-1.
What to Watch For: Can he keep his walks down?
Other Notes: Has pitched well against the Red Sox and Yankees, but the first place Rays have gotten the best of him

10. Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins
Status:
Gave up six runs in his minor league start.
Key Stats: 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA in the big leagues this season.
What to Watch For: Can he regain the dominant form he had two years ago?
Other Notes: The Twins don’t seem to be rushing his return. 

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