Greatest homegrown starting staff ever assembled?

Falcon52 · 07-14-2003, 09:49 PM

Mine has to be my current 5 man rotation. Every single guy in the rotation has 8 or above in avoiding runs. Right now, my team leads the league in team ERA, and my WORST starter has an ERA of 3.44.

The best part? Their ages are 28, 28, 24, 24, 22 respectively. For whatever reason, this crop of young starters came up and developed into stars at an early age (every single one pitched well in the majors at 22 or younger).

The only problem? One of them is still in arbitration, and two are still autoresign. So in a couple of years, all will be FA's. I was able to wrap up my ace (the vet of the crew at 28) to a 5 year deal with $8 million, and my #2 guy only wanted $6 million over 4 years (believe me, both are bargains considering what pitchers of their ratings go for on the FA market). I think at the end of this year my third guy is either in his final year of arbitration, or might actually be a FA, so it'll cost me a pretty penny to keep him around too.

Just how good is this rotation? On a payroll of under $50 million, and a roster which might not even boast a SINGLE 20-homer guy, I'm sitting in first place in my division.

Although even though my batting lineup isn't exactly Murderers Row, it seems to get the job done. I've got speed to burn, guys that walk and make contact, and in the middle of my order is my only legitimate power guy (he hit 30 homers last year, but is struggling at 13 after 100 games this year).

Finally, the pitching Gods have shined down upon me

Iffy_Boatrace · 07-14-2003, 10:10 PM

Sounds like a problem we'd all like to have. Study your SPs. Decide on the "worst" one (if you can), if you're set on a sub-50 Mil payroll, trade him for 2 excellent skill position prospects and perhaps an excellent MR/CL and a serviceable young (read, 29 or younger), SP (or if somebody's ready in AAA - sounds like you're a good drafter). The increase in offense should offset the decrease in defense.

Kelric · 07-14-2003, 10:36 PM

I'm much better developing middle relief pitchers than I am at starting pitchers or position players. I consider myself a good drafter, but in solo play I get a lot of guys that end up busting and very few who pan out. You know, those dreaded days where players drop in five talent categories after being the 2nd overall pick two years ago.

Sigh.

Falcon52 · 07-14-2003, 10:42 PM

That's why I'm so pleased with my five aces (old Braves cliche) because I rarely was ever to produce good starting pitchers. They usually got to Triple A at "all star written all over him" and then sit and rot in Triple A, never getting good enough ratings to be called up.

This time, I had 5 guys.

Iffy_Boatrace · 07-14-2003, 10:52 PM

Me too. I'll have maybe 2 or 3 good starting pitchers who make it to the bigs every 10 years or so. All my Starting Pitching is usually traded for.

When you think about it, I guess that's the way MLB is. I think about the starting rotation of my hometown team, the Red Sox, and nobody's homegrown. (I thought Tim Wakefield was but he was drafed by the Pirates). And the guys they've traded in recent for in recent years (Lowe) and FA signings (Pedro, Burkett, Mendoza), it seems the best way to sign talent (if you consider Burkett "talented") is to trade and buy it.

Sucks for small market teams - but I guess that's the whole problem with MLB.

Kelric · 07-15-2003, 06:00 AM

Wakefield was cast off by the Pirates, and has become the longest current member of the Red Sox.

Casey Fossum has been the only respectable starter for the Sox, and he doesn't have a track record. Though the Sox have traded off a lot of their minor league pitching talent in order to try to win for the last several years, so that will make a dent in any farm system.

Granitestwarriro · 07-15-2003, 10:45 AM

Actually, one of the reasons the Red Sox seem to have a very bloated payroll versus the team's performance (this year MAY be an exception to that trend) is BECAUSE we do not develop pitching. Look at what the A's have done? If not for Zito, Mulder and Hudson they would be forced to either approach $100m in payroll or settle for a nice cozy seat in the basement.

WLight · 07-15-2003, 02:41 PM

And because Dan Duquette doesn't know how to spend money.

KurtBevacqua · 07-15-2003, 03:12 PM

I'm playing the Cleveland Indians right now. I have Sabathia (4.5 blue stars), Rodriguez (4.5 blue stars), Davis (4 blue stars), and Traber (4 blue stars) all in the rotation and doing pretty good for being so young. Then in AA I have Guthrie (4.5 blue stars) who I think will eventually take over for Brian Anderson in the rotation. Right now Sabathia is 6-2 and leads the league in ERA, Davis is 5-6 ERA around 3.80, Rodriguez is 5-5 and 4.50 ERA, and Traber is 2-3 with around 4.00 ERA. All but Sabathia are rookies. God I hope I don't screw this up.

As for my bullpen, well they simply suck. A bunch of 2.5 star guys who get rocked all the time. Only Herrera (4 blue stars) is worth a damn and I think I brought him up too soon out of desparation (only 22 with a 5 RA), but he's the only guy who consistently gets anyone out.

07-14-2003, 09:49 PM	#1
Falcon52 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 615	Greatest homegrown starting staff ever assembled? Mine has to be my current 5 man rotation. Every single guy in the rotation has 8 or above in avoiding runs. Right now, my team leads the league in team ERA, and my WORST starter has an ERA of 3.44. The best part? Their ages are 28, 28, 24, 24, 22 respectively. For whatever reason, this crop of young starters came up and developed into stars at an early age (every single one pitched well in the majors at 22 or younger). The only problem? One of them is still in arbitration, and two are still autoresign. So in a couple of years, all will be FA's. I was able to wrap up my ace (the vet of the crew at 28) to a 5 year deal with $8 million, and my #2 guy only wanted $6 million over 4 years (believe me, both are bargains considering what pitchers of their ratings go for on the FA market). I think at the end of this year my third guy is either in his final year of arbitration, or might actually be a FA, so it'll cost me a pretty penny to keep him around too. Just how good is this rotation? On a payroll of under $50 million, and a roster which might not even boast a SINGLE 20-homer guy, I'm sitting in first place in my division. Although even though my batting lineup isn't exactly Murderers Row, it seems to get the job done. I've got speed to burn, guys that walk and make contact, and in the middle of my order is my only legitimate power guy (he hit 30 homers last year, but is struggling at 13 after 100 games this year). Finally, the pitching Gods have shined down upon me __________________ "D-FENCE! D-FENCE!"

07-14-2003, 10:42 PM	#4
Falcon52 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 615	That's why I'm so pleased with my five aces (old Braves cliche) because I rarely was ever to produce good starting pitchers. They usually got to Triple A at "all star written all over him" and then sit and rot in Triple A, never getting good enough ratings to be called up. This time, I had 5 guys. __________________ "D-FENCE! D-FENCE!"

07-15-2003, 03:12 PM	#9
KurtBevacqua Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,968	I'm playing the Cleveland Indians right now. I have Sabathia (4.5 blue stars), Rodriguez (4.5 blue stars), Davis (4 blue stars), and Traber (4 blue stars) all in the rotation and doing pretty good for being so young. Then in AA I have Guthrie (4.5 blue stars) who I think will eventually take over for Brian Anderson in the rotation. Right now Sabathia is 6-2 and leads the league in ERA, Davis is 5-6 ERA around 3.80, Rodriguez is 5-5 and 4.50 ERA, and Traber is 2-3 with around 4.00 ERA. All but Sabathia are rookies. God I hope I don't screw this up. As for my bullpen, well they simply suck. A bunch of 2.5 star guys who get rocked all the time. Only Herrera (4 blue stars) is worth a damn and I think I brought him up too soon out of desparation (only 22 with a 5 RA), but he's the only guy who consistently gets anyone out. __________________ "The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man" - William Graham Sumner

07-14-2003, 10:10 PM	#2
Iffy_Boatrace Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 43	Sounds like a problem we'd all like to have. Study your SPs. Decide on the "worst" one (if you can), if you're set on a sub-50 Mil payroll, trade him for 2 excellent skill position prospects and perhaps an excellent MR/CL and a serviceable young (read, 29 or younger), SP (or if somebody's ready in AAA - sounds like you're a good drafter). The increase in offense should offset the decrease in defense.

07-14-2003, 10:36 PM	#3
Kelric Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Greater Boston Area Posts: 3,992	I'm much better developing middle relief pitchers than I am at starting pitchers or position players. I consider myself a good drafter, but in solo play I get a lot of guys that end up busting and very few who pan out. You know, those dreaded days where players drop in five talent categories after being the 2nd overall pick two years ago. Sigh.

07-14-2003, 10:52 PM	#5
Iffy_Boatrace Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 43	Me too. I'll have maybe 2 or 3 good starting pitchers who make it to the bigs every 10 years or so. All my Starting Pitching is usually traded for. When you think about it, I guess that's the way MLB is. I think about the starting rotation of my hometown team, the Red Sox, and nobody's homegrown. (I thought Tim Wakefield was but he was drafed by the Pirates). And the guys they've traded in recent for in recent years (Lowe) and FA signings (Pedro, Burkett, Mendoza), it seems the best way to sign talent (if you consider Burkett "talented") is to trade and buy it. Sucks for small market teams - but I guess that's the whole problem with MLB.

07-15-2003, 06:00 AM	#6
Kelric Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Greater Boston Area Posts: 3,992	Wakefield was cast off by the Pirates, and has become the longest current member of the Red Sox. Casey Fossum has been the only respectable starter for the Sox, and he doesn't have a track record. Though the Sox have traded off a lot of their minor league pitching talent in order to try to win for the last several years, so that will make a dent in any farm system.

07-15-2003, 10:45 AM	#7
Granitestwarriro Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 52	Actually, one of the reasons the Red Sox seem to have a very bloated payroll versus the team's performance (this year MAY be an exception to that trend) is BECAUSE we do not develop pitching. Look at what the A's have done? If not for Zito, Mulder and Hudson they would be forced to either approach $100m in payroll or settle for a nice cozy seat in the basement.

07-15-2003, 02:41 PM	#8
WLight Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: CA Posts: 314	And because Dan Duquette doesn't know how to spend money.