Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeke
5 million for Hochevar, who is still a liability, is unacceptable. For whatever reason, there is a love affair with him by GMDM or someone in the front office\coaching staff. His performance last season was NOT the norm - It was the exception. Did no one pay attention to the Career year then signing of Frenchy? It's a bad deal. 5 million for a reliever that has never performed until last year, then spend that type of money again with a limited payroll and a bunch of money already tied up in your bullpen? You non-tender him or trade him... That would be the good baseball move.
But he has a little value (certainly not 5 mil for a small market team as a reliever) and is one of the boys, so he's given the golden boot to drink from.
I can't agree with this at all... Hochevar will most assuredly not put up the same numbers as last year. If he does, then you start having a track record for paying him a few million dollars... but 5 mil as a lottery ticket\reclamation project is not good baseball business.
|
Well first, regarding regression and him being a liability: he isn't. Not unless he starts again. Last season was the first season as a relief pitcher, and his numbers were terrific. Is he that good as a reliever? Probably not, but it would take one hell of a regression for him to be a
bad relief pitcher.
5 million is high for a reliever who only played the setup role for one season, so it may have been difficult to trade him, but if there's any chance he could come close to 2013 then we do need him so cutting him doesn't make sense either. I'm fine with just reluctantly paying what the arbitrator probably would have given him.