Email a copy of 'Free Agent Stock Watch: Marco Estrada' to a friend
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By Mark Polishuk | at
Email a copy of 'Free Agent Stock Watch: Marco Estrada' to a friend
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tigerbulldog13
If the Tigers aren’t able to bring back Price, I wouldn’t mind seeing them pick up a guy like Estrada. They have a big park and if he pitches like he did this year he could be a steal at something like 2/20
warren r.
Estrada has become very well-liked in Toronto and you don’t have to look too far to find smart baseball people who’ll say almost without reservation that he’s been the team’s most consistent starter this year. (That’s really saying something when Mark Buehrle is in the rotation.). The morning after he dealt 6.1 innings of shutout ball at Yankee Stadium, a popular morning talk radio host was singing his praises to the tune of The Love Boat. It’s been that kind of a year for Marco.
The only real hiccup was the start after his 129-pitch, 8.2 inning, 2 hit, 0R, 10K, 0BB masterclass. Otherwise he’s going to deliver 5 – 7 innings of 3 or fewer runs with little flash or drama. Is this worth $10 million? I don’t know about that… Given that Price, Dickey, Buehrle and Stroman are the favoured options in the playoffs, Estrada is unlikely to add a strong playoff showing to his resume. If he finishes out the regular season in good form, I’d say $21/3 with an option and bonus attached would be about right.
stormie
I wouldn’t be so sure he’s behind Buehrle, Mark has complained of having a tired arm which forced the Jays to rest him a couple extra days, and he still got battered in Boston today anyway. He may be running out of gas down the stretch.
thecoffinnail
You missed a couple of recent signings that compare to Estrada very well.. Jason Hammel and Edison Volquez are both 33, and both had good contract years.. They signed for 2/$18m and 2/$20m respectively.. Although, I think Hammel took a little less money so he could return to the Cubs, I think those contracts make your 2/$20m estimate very solid.. I do think Estrada might get a little more if he goes to a team like the Phillies.. Something like 2/$24m because if he has another good first half next year he will probably be shopped at the deadline.. So, its probably a matter of resigning with Toronto (or another destination that he prefers) for less money or chasing the paycheck on a team like the Phillies or the Braves that will look to swap him for prospects if he performs.. If he does get a QO I hope he accepts it.. Somebody has to eventually break the ice and accept one so other players will follow suit.. I think it is hard for a player to admit that they won’t be in enough demand to get the big contract that they are expecting.. With what has happened to Morales, Drew and Santana/Lohse a couple of years ago they should be a bit more willing to accept one.. Once a few players accept them I doubt teams will continue to hand them out to questionable players like Cuddyer anymore.. Had he accepted last year the Rockies would have gotten burned pretty badly..
Ted
Unless the Jays plan a serious run at Price, I’d like to see Estrada back at the 2/$20MM number. He’s got a good floor even if his numbers decline, and with Stroman and Sanchez in the rotation they may need a solid inning eater at the back end.
jimmertee
Mark Polishuk, love the Estrada article. To add to it, Estrada is a flyball pitcher. Period. His fast ball is average and straight, hence the low ground ball rate. I attribute his success with the Jays to Dioner Navarro. Now Estrada doesn’t have to think much, just follow someone who knows how to call a game. Any team signing him as a free agent needs to be cautious. I don’t think Estrada can call his own game, he will need a catcher that knows what he is doing or he will have the same success he had in Milwaukee – even if his change up is devastating. I hope that the Jays find a way to keep him.