Yesterday we looked at free agents off to hot starts; now it's time to do the opposite. Last year this list included Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia, but also Oliver Perez and Pat Burrell.
- Rod Barajas, Mets. Not much was expected from Barajas in the OBP department, but a .194/.224/.355 line isn't going to cut it. Also, despite a three home run game and a .468 SLG, John Buck sits among the OBP trailers at .239. I liked the Gregg Zaun signing, but he's hitting just .220/.299/.288.
- Jerry Hairston Jr., Padres. Versatility doesn't mean much when you're hitting .231/.242/.246.
- Jonny Gomes, Reds. I liked this bargain signing, but Gomes isn't doing much at .214/.254/.375.
- Garrett Atkins, Orioles. He's losing playing time given a .238/.262/.302 start.
- Pedro Feliz, Astros. The left side of the Astros' infield is really struggling offensively. Infielders Orlando Cabrera, Jack Wilson, and Adam Kennedy are also excelling at making outs, while Mark DeRosa has shown no power.
- Nick Johnson, Yankees. Bizarre line for Johnson: .143/.385/.232. Even when nothing else is working, Johnson is second in MLB in walks. Chone Figgins has had a similar start.
- Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners. He's better than .226/.293/.245, but many opposed this signing from the start.
- Troy Glaus, Braves. He's at .200/.300/.300, and the Braves have to be pondering alternatives.
- Doug Davis, Brewers. He's basically allowed an earned run per inning so far.
- Todd Wellemeyer, Giants. The team's fifth starter has a 6.33 ERA through four starts.
- Trevor Hoffman, Brewers. Hoffman leads baseball with four blown saves; at some point the Brewers have to try someone else in the ninth inning.
- Jason Marquis, Nationals. He made three ugly starts and headed to the DL with an elbow injury.
- Rich Harden, Rangers. He leads baseball with 23 walks allowed.
- Vicente Padilla, Dodgers. He sports a 7.06 ERA and a forearm injury.
- John Grabow, Cubs. With a 7.04 ERA, Grabow hasn't been the setup man the Cubs envisioned. Brendan Donnelly, Octavio Dotel, and Bob Howry are also getting knocked around.
- Mike Gonzalez, Orioles. His terrible start led to a shoulder-related DL stint.
— And now we see why some of these guys were signed to bargain basement prices …
— Glaus NEVER should have been considered a starter. Foolish to bank on his health. Looks even worse now that he is healthy but can’t hit.
— Some of these guys were no brainer bad signings. Others you expect to turn it around (Davis, Gonzalez, Hoffman, Gomes). They are most likely victims of small sample sizes (see Teixeira, Mark and his sub 600 OPS).
“Bizarre line for Johnson: .143/.385”
242 point different in AVG and OBP? Crazy
I’m not sure Gomes will turn it around last year was a career year. This year has been more like his days with the Rays and we know how that turned out. I’m sure Reds look at him as a placeholder anyway as they have guys in the minors that are close to being ready.
Not to nitpick, but I believe it was a 2 HR game from Barajas, not 3.
The 3 HR game was alluding to Buck. The Reds don’t have anyone on the farm that is hitting any better than Gomes that will be playing outfield. (Valaika is an infielder)
As an A’s fan I’d say Ben Sheets after his last outing. He’s been alright, but definitely not $10 million dollar a year ace…
That’s what happens when you run into the buzz saw known as the AL East.
Ben Sheets has about as many walks as Ks.
And, the A’s are in HUGE trouble if Anderson and Duchscherer are hurt and Sheets is walking everyone
At least Mazzaro and Cahill have been lights out in sac… or else we’d really be in trouble. Sheets will come around, he hasn’t pitched for a year. Duke, well he seems to always be injured.
re Feliz’ “slow” start
09: .266/.308/.386 (625 PA)
10: .260/.263/.384 (76 PA)
He’s had 0 BB. That’s pretty much the slowest thing about it. He just isn’t very good.
Jack Wilson wasn’t a free agent signing this offseason, he was acquired in a trade last season
… and signed a contract extension this offseason. Otherwise, he would have been a free agent.
Davis can’t seem to get it together, and when he did (Ya know, that one time so far this year), we couldn’t get him any runs.
Hoffman is lost out there. He’s not throwing his changeup anymore, and you can’t get by with an 85 MPH fastball that he can’t locate. In his most recent blown save, he threw 20 pitches. 3 of them were changeups, all in the dirt. I’m all for giving him a few more chances, but if he can’t get the job done (We would have swept the Pirates, but he blew 2 consecutive saves and we lost the series), then it’s time for a change. I think we may soon be going from Trevor Time to Coffey Time.
I can’t believe the Braves opted for Glaus over LaRoache ! What was Wren thinking?
they didn’t. remember when laroche was thinking he was worth 30million and ended up getting slapped in the face? the braves basically said, “ok, good luck with that” and got glaus. if they waited a month, maybe they could of had laroche.
Guys, if Toothpick allows Gomes to play (and with Dickerson out, you may see this) I think he is good for 20 homers again. He can SMACK the ball. He would be a great DH but he actually lost some weight and worked on his D.
Don’t forget Aubrey Huff and Mark DeRosa.
Romero: 2.25 ERA, 3.27 FIP
Marcum: 3.44 ERA, 3.31 FIP
Cecil: 3.55 ERA, 3.90 FIP (only 2 starts)
Eveland: 4.57 ERA, 4.12 FIP
Morrow: 6.14 ERA, 4.88 FIP, too many walks- which he did pre-Buck
Toronto’s starters have a combined 4.06 ERA this year, last year it was 4.66- with Halladay.
So where has Buck been problematic for the staff? 0 PB, only 2 CS with 15 allowed in 19 games, so not like they’re running wild.
Yes their bullpen sucks, it’s also April and relievers are always up and down.
I don’t know bro… Right now, it just seems like Nick Johnson’s way of thinking at the plate is that he will absolutely not swing at anything, and either get struck out looking, or walk. Huge downgrade over Matsui, in my opinion.
Yeah Gonzo is awful this year