It's difficult to define an innings eater these days, as almost all pitchers miss significant time due to injury at some point. Still, let's take a shot in regard to the upcoming free agent class.
Regular Season Innings Leaders
1. Carl Pavano – 221
2. Bronson Arroyo – 215.6 (club option)
3. Cliff Lee – 212.3
4. Jake Westbrook – 202.6
t-5. Jon Garland – 200 (mutual option)
t-5. Rodrigo Lopez – 200
7. Hiroki Kuroda – 196.3
8. Ted Lilly – 193.6
9. Kevin Millwood – 190.6
10. Dave Bush – 174.3
Two years ago, who would have predicted Pavano would top this list? Only six free agents reached 200 innings, and Arroyo could be off the market if the Reds pick up his option. Pavano, Arroyo, and Lee will bolster their innings totals with playoff work. Arroyo, Lee, Garland, Javier Vazquez, and Doug Davis exceeded 200 regular season innings last year.
If you're looking for efficiency, Lee and Pavano lead all of MLB in fewest pitches per inning. Lilly and Arroyo fall within the top 20.
Unless, you know, Pavano gets into a fender bender.
if he becomes a legit free agents, Arroyo would be great on the Nationals, though i see the reds Keeping him. Lee wont come to a non-contender easily. bet you anything the Yankees scoop him up, because apparently they need rotation help.
Arroyo in the Bronx would be a disaster but I could certainly see Arroyo wanting to go there. He wasn’t particularly happy with the Sox when they traded him after he signed a hometown discount. I highly doubt the Yanks have any interest, though.
I think he was saying the Yanks will scoop Lee up, not Arroyo.
I think the Yankees are done spending on guys like Arroyo….no reason to believe he’d be an upgrade over what they already have.
Lee in the Bronx is looking more and more like a done deal given their struggles of AJ Burnett, the age and injuries of Pettite and innings limits on Hughes.
Have the Reds hinted at whether they’re going to pick up that option or not? Do you guys think that Chapman will be in the rotation next year a la David Price? If so, there’s one less rotation arm you need for Cinci.
Chapman is going to be devolped as a starter next year Walt has said it over and over but as far in the Reds roation i dont think so cause he still needs to devolpe and work on secondary pitches. He throws of course everyone about the 105 fastball , a devasting slider, then the third pitch he throws a spiltter,
Milwood’s FIP is a good bit below his ERA. I think playing in hitter’s parks have harmed him, and a team with a more neutral or pitcher’s park with a need for an innings eater would be wise to look into him.
Vasquez will end up with the best overall stats of the bunch next year.
It’s an odd numbered year, which means he’ll pitch like a cy young candidate again.
I like Lilly in this category. Remember, he lost much of the first month of the season to off-season surgery to clean out his shoulder. He’s a 220+ innings pitcher next season.