Click here to view all of our previous 2007 MLB Free Agent posts. Today I’ll continue my look at the free agent starting pitchers.
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John Thomson – Thomson turned 33 in October. Elbow soreness and a blister slowed him down in the beginning of the season, followed by shoulder problems from a mild labrum tear. He’s going to take the rehab approach and hopes to start fresh in ’07. Thomson made $4.75MM this year; he spent two years as a solid innings eater from 2003-04. That seems like a long time ago.
Steve Trachsel – Trax will turn 36 on Halloween. He’s been with the Mets since ’01, and had been quietly dependable until last year. Trachsel’s K rate is dangerously low this season and he hasn’t walked this many in a long time. He’s dealt with back spasms this season but has been fairly healthy overall. The 15 wins look nice, but Trachsel may no longer belong on a contender by 2007. He’s another one of these guys who can be had for $5MM.
Jeff Weaver – Weaver turned 30 this season. His awful 2006 has been surprising. When the Angels signed him for one year and $8-9MM, it seemed like a smart, low-risk move. On the plus side, Weaver has maintained good control and a tolerable strikeout rate. On the other hand, he’s allowed a ridiculous number of hits and home runs. Those rates almost have to regress, and Weaver could be a mild bargain in 2007.
David Wells – Boomer, 43, returned in August from knee problems. I’m sure it’s still hurting him, but it was a good month (2.67 ERA in four starts). That month enabled the Red Sox to trade him to the Padres for George Kottaras. Wells still makes for an intriguing $3MM mercenary that a lot of teams would love to have pitching in a big game.
