Post by bobroberts on Aug 12, 2010 9:44:50 GMT -5
per Chris Ryan(yahoo fantasy baseball writer)
Who is next year’s … washed-up, overweight, excessively sweaty starting pitcher who experiences a career renaissance?
2009 Version: Kevin Millwood
2010 Version: Vicente Padilla/Carlos Silva/Livan Hernandez
2011 Version: Aaron Harang
Harang was a reliable workhorse in the mid-aught’s, but various injuries have led to a slow and painful three-year decline, culminating in his current 5.02 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. He’s been on the DL with “lower lumbar spasms” since late June, and a return date has yet to be set. The Reds have $12.75 million club option for 2011, which, unless Walt Jocketty gets smashed and loses a heated game of backgammon to Harang, will not be picked up, making the 32-year-old hurler a free agent. The Harangutang actually hasn’t been as bad as his ratios would suggest. He got smacked around in April, but in May and June his ERA was a nearly useable 4.21, which is very similar to the number his xFIP (expected fielding independent pitching) indicates it should be. If his agent is smart, he’ll secure a one-year deal in a location where Harang’s fly ball tendencies can be covered up (read: Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland etc). If that happens, and Harang can get himself healthy, a mid-to-low 3.00 ERA should not only be possible, but expected.
Who is next year’s … washed-up, overweight, excessively sweaty starting pitcher who experiences a career renaissance?
2009 Version: Kevin Millwood
2010 Version: Vicente Padilla/Carlos Silva/Livan Hernandez
2011 Version: Aaron Harang
Harang was a reliable workhorse in the mid-aught’s, but various injuries have led to a slow and painful three-year decline, culminating in his current 5.02 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. He’s been on the DL with “lower lumbar spasms” since late June, and a return date has yet to be set. The Reds have $12.75 million club option for 2011, which, unless Walt Jocketty gets smashed and loses a heated game of backgammon to Harang, will not be picked up, making the 32-year-old hurler a free agent. The Harangutang actually hasn’t been as bad as his ratios would suggest. He got smacked around in April, but in May and June his ERA was a nearly useable 4.21, which is very similar to the number his xFIP (expected fielding independent pitching) indicates it should be. If his agent is smart, he’ll secure a one-year deal in a location where Harang’s fly ball tendencies can be covered up (read: Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland etc). If that happens, and Harang can get himself healthy, a mid-to-low 3.00 ERA should not only be possible, but expected.
