Jan 10 2009
2009 All AL East Pitching Staff
Here it is, the class of the major leagues. The Al East.
Sp1 - Josh Beckett, Red Sox - When healthy still the model of a big game pitcher. A dominant fastball and curve, Beckett is battle tested at the highest levels.
Sp2 - Roy Halladay, Blue Jays - Cy Young type pitcher could be a big time starter if he was on a real team.
Sp3 - Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox - He makes the average fan nervous, but is as clutch in tough situations as there is. He also has won the big games.
Sp4 - CC Sabathia, Yankees - He would be higher if he had won a big playoff game in his career.
Sp5 - David Price, Rays - Moves ahead of his Rays counterparts because of his great stuff as well as his performance under fire.
LRP - Matt Garza, Rays - Two wins against Boston in the ALCS puts him at the top of the next choices for pitchers.
LRP - Jon Lester, Red Sox - Need another lefty for this staff.
MRP - Justin Masterson, Red Sox - Groundballer who is filthy.
MRP - George Sherrill, Orioles
MRP - AJ Burnett, Blue Jays - Could probably throw triple digits in relief efforts
SU - BJ Ryan, Blue Jays - Hard throwing lefty would be excellent setup man.
SU - Mariano Rivera, Yankees - loses out to Papelbon not because of any inadaquacies.
CP - Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox - 0.00 era in the playoffs and ability to go multiple innings makes him the ultimate closer.
Sorry Wes, but no way does Price crack the rotation without even STARTING a game so far. Sure I’ll take him in the pen or something, but no way should Jon Lester not be there, even Burnett as much as I hate him. Price should be one of the relievers as an honorable mention of sort if anything.
And still have to take Mo as your closer. You may say cause of multiple innings, or 0.00 ERA in the playoffs, but Mo has the track record. No other guy you can leave it with than Mo.
Tom
http://thetradersarena.today.com
Certainly Lester is one of the top guys, however this team is a pick for the next few seasons rather than a pick for the past few. For me over the next say three years I would take Papelbon as the closer and Price as the fifth starter.