Who is The Rays opening day pitcher?

It's a 162 game season...every game is important, but not THAT important.

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Originally Posted by Moot

There's a deal in the works to acquire Matt Clement for Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes. And they've also been reported as offering Carl Pavano an 8-year $198MM deal. Things are looking up for Washington.

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Pavano, he should do good. Maybe pitch 3 innings per year or so. he has good endurance and health, that is for sure. And Clement? Heck, he's better then Sabathia!

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Originally Posted by Pavelb1

Given they open in Fenway, and Kazmir sucked against the Sox last year, I'd think you would care.

And Sonnanstine was mediocre last year. And Price hasn't pitched enough to make the distinction you did. But other than all that....yes, who cares.

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Sonnanstine is nothing great...but to say he was mediocre is obviously incorrect and an overstatement. Over a 3/1 K:BB ratio over 190+ innings with a 102 ERA+ while pitching in the AL East is far from mediocre. He's a pretty solid #3 pitcher and an outstanding #4 pitcher in the Rays rotation. (or even an elite #5 pitcher if Price really does well..if you want to carry it that far).

Also, an FIP of 3.98 last year and 4.35 in his rookie season. He's a pretty nice young pitcher.

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Originally Posted by Pavelb1

Given they open in Fenway, and Kazmir sucked against the Sox last year, I'd think you would care.

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They shouldn't be making decisions based off an 18 inning sample size. In this case, they should go with their best pitcher in terms of quality and quantity, and that's Shields.

People are more desperate to talk baseball than I thought? Can we be far from the "Who will be the first pinch hitter used by the Cardinals in 2009?" thread?

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Originally Posted by Swampdog

People are more desperate to talk baseball than I thought? Can we be far from the "Who will be the first pinch hitter used by the Cardinals in 2009?" thread?

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I encourage you to make a poll with the thread.

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Originally Posted by Swampdog

People are more desperate to talk baseball than I thought? Can we be far from the "Who will be the first pinch hitter used by the Cardinals in 2009?" thread?

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Joe Mather...6th inning for the pitcher

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Originally Posted by Swampdog

People are more desperate to talk baseball than I thought? Can we be far from the "Who will be the first pinch hitter used by the Cardinals in 2009?" thread?

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Seriously? So if I had said "Who will be the opening day pitcher for the Yankees? Sabathia or Wang?" It would be more relevent and interesting?

Because last time I checked the Rays did a hell of a lot better than the Yankees last year. I consider the Rays approach a lot more interesting and deep than the Yankees nuclear approach.

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Originally Posted by KowboyKoop

Sonnanstine is nothing great...but to say he was mediocre is obviously incorrect and an overstatement. Over a 3/1 K:BB ratio over 190+ innings with a 102 ERA+ while pitching in the AL East is far from mediocre. He's a pretty solid #3 pitcher and an outstanding #4 pitcher in the Rays rotation. (or even an elite #5 pitcher if Price really does well..if you want to carry it that far).

Also, an FIP of 3.98 last year and 4.35 in his rookie season. He's a pretty nice young pitcher.

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Does that mean Tim Wakefield (Of the better WHIP and ERA+) is an outstanding 4rth/elite fifth pitcher? I'm not disagreeing, but i wish so-called Red Sox Nation would figure that out.

Seriously? So if I had said "Who will be the opening day pitcher for the Yankees? Sabathia or Wang?" It would be more relevent and interesting?

No, not at all. Not to me, at least. As a Red Sox fan, I am not the least bit interested in speculation as to who pitches for Boston on opening day either.

Because last time I checked the Rays did a hell of a lot better than the Yankees last year. I consider the Rays approach a lot more interesting and deep than the Yankees nuclear approach.

OK.

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Originally Posted by Pavelb1

Does that mean Tim Wakefield (Of the better WHIP and ERA+) is an outstanding 4rth/elite fifth pitcher? I'm not disagreeing, but i wish so-called Red Sox Nation would figure that out.

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Yes, he is. Year in and year out, he gives 180 innings or so of slightly above average pitching. For $4 million a year, he's a ridiculous bargain.

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Originally Posted by HoustonGM

Yes, he is. Year in and year out, he gives 180 innings or so of slightly above average pitching. For $4 million a year, he's a ridiculous bargain.

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That is the argument I always use when people denounce him. Which a lot of people at my school and such do. But unfortunately they don't care for stats...

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Originally Posted by Pavelb1

Does that mean Tim Wakefield (Of the better WHIP and ERA+) is an outstanding 4rth/elite fifth pitcher? I'm not disagreeing, but i wish so-called Red Sox Nation would figure that out.

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let me tell u... as much as people dont like Wake (my grandfather included) I would take him on my team in an instant and would have 5 years ago as well when he wanted him gone after 2003.

Wakefield has been a solid #5 guy in the rotation for several years now.

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Originally Posted by Pavelb1

Does that mean Tim Wakefield (Of the better WHIP and ERA+) is an outstanding 4rth/elite fifth pitcher? I'm not disagreeing, but i wish so-called Red Sox Nation would figure that out.

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Yes, neither Sonnanstine or Wakefield are "mediocre" pitchers.