Quote:
|
I like Rivera quite a bit. 24 years old, 4.74 ERC projection. Older pitchers with ERCs only a quarter of a run lower are getting $8 million a year, and we get this guy on a minor league deal? Beautiful.
|
HF, I can't argue with the conclusion. In today's market it makes a great deal of sense to avoid the proven/expensive mediocrities and take a chance on guys like this.
But c'mon, do we really have anything close to a sufficient sample to calculate MLEs and make projections for Mexican League players? Baseball cube has this guy pitching in the Pioneer League in 1995, so I'm assuming he's at least in his late 20s by now ... he's remained remarkably well hidden from MLB scouts if he's really that good.
By the way, what's the story on David Cortes? Roxpert had mentioned that the Rockies let him go in light of some kind of Hurdle hissy fit, but I've seen him noted lately as a guy still in the Rockies fold. I hope so, since nondescript middle relievers like him seem to be quite popular acquisitions now.
I've said before that LaTroy Hawkins worries me ... the strikeouts seem to be going down fast, and he's at that vulnerable age. Even in today's wild market I'd avoid spending $3.5 million on a guy like him. Kind of reminds me of Jose Mesa. In fact, if you can get Jose Mesa back for a million bucks I'd actually prefer that to Hawkins at 3.5 times more money.
And I'd definitely prefer saving up all the money these guys are getting and signing one starter instead ...