The Scrub Report

Dave Paisley

Now that Randy Johnson has signed his big fat contract with a non-contending team, what's left on the aging pitcher scrap heap for the rest of the baseball world to fight over? Thanksgiving isn't the only thing that can leave you with a lot of indigestible leftover turkeys, and the following list is proof positive.

For scrub pitching connoisseurs like the White Sox (staff ace: Jaime Navarro!) here's a look at the stockpile of free agent leftovers. Of course, the White Sox could use an entire pitching rotation, like the one they used to have back in '93, but here's all that's available. Let's go kick the tires of some of these "previously owned" models, starting with the bargain basement, where some serious flaws exist, but you may get lucky and get a half-decent year out of them.

The list is topped by some unusual cases. Pavlik was the Rangers' whipping boy, but broke a finger to escape further castigation in Arlington. Even healthy, he could be more of a liability than a help. Jim Abbott reappeared and did OK in limited action after forgetting how to pitch in '96. Dave Stieb reappeared after taking five years off to play with his grandkids or something and would be a major gamble. Kudos for getting back in any kind of pitching shape, though.

Pitcher		Age	98 IP	98 W-L	98 ERA
Roger Pavlik	RHP	31	14.0	1-1	3.86
Jim Abbott	LHP	31	31.2	5-0	4.55
Dave Stieb	RHP	41	50.1	1-2	4.83
Jack McDowell	RHP	33	76.0	5-3	5.09
Jimmy Key	LHP	38	79.1	6-3	4.20
Mark Langston	LHP	38	81.1	4-6	5.86
Pete Smith	RHP	33	88.1	5-5	5.50
Dennis Martinez	RHP	44	91.0	4-6	4.45

Jack McDowell is probably willing to accept millions again to pitch another 76 innings if you like. And the older and even more fragile Jimmy Key might do the same if you get out the checkbook. Then there's always Mark Langston, he who lives on the DL, it seems, and who hasn't seen an ERA under 4.00 since '92.

We round out this prime bunch with Pete Smith, who was apparently at the back of the line when the durability genes were handed out, and the venerable Dennis Martinez, who managed to pass Juan Marichal in wins this year but who should probably be left alone to retire now. Except that he could be the new White Sox ace.

Looking for a slightly more durable model? We have a few left, but unfortunately, Doug Drabek may be available, and he's both unreliable and bad. We can't guarantee that Mike Morgan will make it all the way on those cross-country trips without blowing a gasket, but he'd be a cut above Drabek, at least. After we get past the once again inconsistent Bobby Witt, we actually have a couple of pitchers in Tewksbury and Portugal, but neither of them may be quite ready for a full season of action. Of course, their agents will tell you they are, but who can believe them?
 

Pitcher		Age	98 IP	98 W-L	98 ERA
Doug Drabek	RHP	36	108.2	6-11	7.29
Mike Morgan	RHP	39	120.2	4-3	4.18
Bobby Witt	RHP	35	116.2	7-9	6.56
Bob Tewksbury	RHP	38	148.1	7-13	4.79
Mark Portugal	RHP	36	166.1	10-5	4.44

Finally, we get to the guys who might be able to throw 200 innings again. Kevin Brown, of course, doesn't fit the aging, cheap mold, but he would be nice, wouldn't he? But you're a poor GM working for a cheap owner, so you can't have him.

Tim Belcher may well be the biggest bargain on the list, and should go cheap, given that he's been invisible in KC. Mark Clark should have done better, but appears durable, while Orel Hershiser just keeps on cruisin'. Neither would be terrible pickups.

Pitcher		Age	98 IP	98 W-L	98 ERA
Kevin Brown	RHP	34	257.0	18-7	2.38
Tim Belcher	RHP	37	234.0	14-14	4.27
Mark Clark	RHP	31	213.2	9-14	4.84
Orel Hershiser	RHP	40	202.0	11-10	4.41

So there you have it. All the free agent pitchers out there, and maybe only a half dozen worth serious consideration. But, hey, Norm Charlton got paid to pitch last year, so don't be surprised to see all these guys back in the majors next season.

 

about the author

Dave Paisley has been getting frequent hang-up calls lately, and after each one his caller ID box says only "H. Slocumb." Help him figure out exactly who might be mad at him at drdjp@strikethree.com.