According to talent evaluators that spoke to ESPN.com's Buster Olney recently, this year's starting pitching trade market may not take shape for another couple months. For pitching-desperate teams that don't want to take on a salary dump, that means the few remaining arms on the free agent market might be their best bet. Let's take a look at the latest news on some of the more notable pitchers still available….
- Jarrod Washburn: The Diamondbacks were rumored to have a passing interest in Washburn, but not at his asking price. The last we heard from agent Scott Boras was that as many as five teams were after the 35-year-old, though that was nearly three weeks ago. It seems that Boras and Washburn still have a vastly different perception of the left-hander's worth than most GMs do. Could the Dodgers be a possibility? According to Sirius XM Radio's Jim Bowden (via Twitter), GM Ned Colletti is still looking for a pitcher at the right price.
- Pedro Martinez: It's looking increasingly likely that Pedro will once again only pitch a half-season. The Mets are considered a potential landing spot for the righty, but the Phillies might be the favorites. Martinez had a successful stint with in Philadelphia in 2009, and the two sides have been keeping in touch this year. The Dodgers could be in the mix too, though the 38-year-old still harbors bad feelings toward the organization, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
- Braden Looper: Although the 35-year-old righty threw for the Cubs recently, they're not expected to sign him. Looper is probably most valuable as an innings-eater starter, while the Cubs are in need of a setup man. There hasn't been a lot of concrete news about Looper lately, but the Rockies could potentially be a fit. Tracy Ringolsby of Inside the Rockies opined three weeks ago that Looper-to-Colorado would be a logical match, and if both Jorge de la Rosa and Jason Hammel head to the disabled list, the Rockies would be missing two crucial starters.
- John Smoltz: He may be a TBS analyst for now, but Smoltz still hasn't ruled out pitching this season. The Phillies were rumored to be interested, though you'd have to think it'd be a case of either Martinez or Smoltz for Philadelphia, rather than both. Like Pedro, the 42-year-old is more likely to pitch for a National League club if he returns, so once again the Dodgers make sense as a potential suitor.
For a full rundown of all the arms still available, check out our list of remaining 2010 free agents.
Looper to Colorado? Ha gonna lose track of the homers real fast.
Come on Dodgers sign SOMEONE, we need help in our rotation BIG TIME
Ive said it before and Ill say it again, I dont get Pedro. Dude, it was 15 years ago. You proved us wrong. The Dodgers have admitted it was one of the dumbest decisions they have ever made… ok, you win. But you STILL wont play for the team? How many different management reigns have there been since? 2, 3?
I think they do sign someone, but Im not really sure if they will be much of a help. Let the front 3 pitch and wait for Padilla(rumors are is he could be back to pitching by the end of the week if he is on a similar recovery path as another pitcher.. i believe it was a Met, but I forget the name… who had this injury in 08)
UPDATE: tracked it down, it was Matt Garza. And the injury is an irritated radial nerve..
He wants to play for a World series contender, that is why he has no interest in the Dodgers. He can go to any team he wants, and anyhow the dodgers will not want to pay him.
Pedro wont come back to LA, he will have a life long hatred. And if you dont think this team could contend for a WS with the correct additions, the conversation is done. Given he will make ~3M, they could get the $ together if they need to
And if he wanted to play for a WS contender, why the Mets?
Hey junior, How is that Koufax drysdale duo of Bilingsley and kershaw working out for you? I know you said that Bilingsley and Kershaw were just like Koufax and drysdale.You better find a cool place to be this summer because it is going to be a long hot summer at the ravine.When do you think the Dodgers will send Sherill back to the minors, or when will haegar be released? It looks like Manny is having a hard time healing because he is of off the juice. You better root for a new team like maybe Tampa, or the yankees, or the giants. They have real major league pitching. Peace to you junior.
You take everything so damn personally. I proved you wrong.. big woop. Say, ‘oh, you’re right’, or dont say anything. Whatever. But dont go for personal insults because Im using stats that matter(like 3 seasons worth instead of 4 starts)…
For about the 100 millionth time, you have brought up the Koufax/Drysdale combo, and you STILL havent gripped the comment. Whatever, your lost. Hey, lets see how many times you can bring it up in a discussion even though it makes no sense and you cant read apparently… or you dont like being proven wrong by a 16 year old
Sherrill going back to the minors? I really dont know why you cant accept that a pitcher has a mechanical flaw to start a year… everyone else has… but you wanna be different?
And I doubt Haeger gets released. You wanna know why? He had the balls to go to Torre and say he’d start not just game 2, but also game 1. Yea, he was willing to start 2 games, back to back, for the team if Torre needed it. You know how much respect that earns you in the clubhouse? Probably not because you are more than likely an old, angry man who cant accept that baseball is different than what it was in the 70s..
Manny having problems? There have been no updates other than he went back to LA because there was no reason to make him travel to NY where he’d heckled… But, once again, you’re right because its your opinion.
And you switch teams as they become good or bad? Whatta fan
You sound like a half wit.
Aha, again with the personal insults instead of defending yourself with stats… Goodjob. You know, for someone who consistently calls me junior, you are quite immature…
how could the Pirates NOT sign one of these guys? Aren’t they obligated to be competitive? How about Baltimore?
Smoltz would be a waste for any contender
Pedro is just….what a question mark…his stuff is just about gone
@FYS, Why would the Pirates sign one of them? It won’t make them the least bit competitive, it won’t get them out of last place, it was a waste of money on an organization saving money for the future. Johan Santana wouldn’t make them a competitive team, so there’s no point.
The same for the Orioles. Until they have Matusz at least, and Tillman and Bergesen pitching steadily, along with Guthrie, Millwood, if they keep him, and possibly Hernandez, as well as some hitters like Josh Bell, they have no point in spending massive amounts of money. As long as Roberts stays on the DL, Jones isn’t hitting, Bergesen is down in AAA, it would be a massive waste of money for a team who has zero chances at competing. It just makes no sense. They both need a lot of pieces, and a jarrod washburn won’t help them one bit.
The real question is, What’s the great David Weathers up to?!
Listening to Smoltzie on the Braves broadcast, he basically all but announced his retirement. I think the only way he’ll return to the majors is with the Braves, and only if they need him. If they don’t, I’d bet they sign him to a 1 day contract and have him throw 1 inning, so he could retire as a Brave.
The “right price” for McCourts Dodgers is the league minimum, and not a penny more.
Apparently, the Twins are concerned about Nick Blackburn’s health and if they decide that he needs extended time on the DL, perhaps they decide to sign Washburn – if he is realistic about the money. They’d probably move Brian Duensing into the rotation at first but Washburn could be (and I emphasize COULD BE) good insurance. Washburn has said he wants to pitch for the Twins but he’ll have to take their offer which won’t be $5 million.
Seeing how Smoltz has settle into the broadcasting role (he does plenty of Braves game, so it’s not just Sunday TBS games for him), I can’t really imagine him returning to the game. A (sort of) running joke on the Braves broadcasts has been all the active pitching stats that are displayed (without Smoltz…who claimed he then claim how he is still “active”).
The Rockies could now use a starting pitcher. Jeff Francis is still on the DL, and won’t be back until the end of May, though he threw 45 pitches in a simulated game the other day. Hammel and, JDLR now are hurt, and JDLR looks to be out for some time, like 4-8 weeks. And Greg Smith, got blown up again today, and didn’t get out of the 1st inning. (funny how AAAA soft throwing lefties get blown up at Coors) The Rockies have 2 quality prospects (Chacin and Rogers)coming to help, but the next SP in line is now Tim Redding. Losing 3 out of 5 starting pitchers can make even a deep team thin pretty fast.
I’ll take Pedro, and his grudge against the Dodgers please. Looper…I’m not sure is any better than Tim Redding so…no thanks.