LH Free Agent Relievers

by aNdrOss on Sep 15, 2008 3:45 PM EDT Comment 15 comments

Name (Age)	Option	FA type	IP	K/9	BB/9	HR/9	SV	FIP
Damaso Marte (34)	6/.25	A	167.0	9.97	3.99	0.65	5	3.23
Brian Fuentes (33)		A	185.3	9.86	3.30	0.73	77	3.29
Darren Oliver (38)		A	210.0	6.47	2.57	0.99	0	4.07
Alan Embree (39)	3	B	176.7	7.95	3.11	0.76	17	3.42
Dennys Reyes (32)		B	121.0	7.51	3.64	0.52	0	3.50
Joe Beimel (32)		B	181.0	4.77	3.23	0.40	3	3.64
Brian Shouse (40)		B	136.3	5.81	3.04	0.59	5	3.65
Jeremy Affeldt (30)		B	229.3	6.63	4.36	0.98	1	4.53
Arthur Rhodes (39)		NA	122.3	9.49	4.19	0.29	6	2.69
Will Ohman (31)		NA	158.3	9.09	4.09	0.68	2	3.47
Trever Miller (36)	2/.4	NA	136.0	9.26	3.71	0.99	3	3.85
Scott Eyre (37)		NA	136.0	9.66	4.76	0.99	0	3.90
Mark Hendrickson (35)		NA	417.7	5.84	2.97	1.06	0	4.41
Eddie Guardado (38)		NA	104.3	6.73	3.02	1.29	17	4.52
Ron Villone (39)		NA	170.3	7.61	5.44	0.95	1	4.63
Horacio Ramirez (29)		NA	209.0	3.88	3.44	0.86	0	4.79
Casey Fossum (31)		NA	243.7	6.17	3.84	1.33	0	5.23

List courtesy mlbtraderumors.com, stats from fangraphs.com (with some rough calculations by yours truly) (current as of 9/15/08) Special Note: These are Three Year totals and averages.

It seems to be a general consensus that the Cardinals need a left-handed reliever this offseason. I thought I'd list what was available.

If Marte's option is declined, he would certainly be the best "impact" option for next year (although we lose draft picks and he would cost lots of money/years). He would probably be cheaper than Fuentes, because Fuentes is a "closer."

Out of the type B guys, I kind of like Beimel. Seems to be a Duncan-esque pitcher.

And, if Ohman does continue to stay out of the type B range, he does seem to be the best option, though. Solid strikeouts, kind of young. He'll probably cost some money, but we do have some to play with this year.

What does everyone think? Was this post helpful? I was thinking of doing something similar with the MI and SP holes (though it would have to include trade options as well, which would get confusing).

0 recs | Comment 15 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I'm not advocating this

but I’ve always liked Casey Fossum. His LH splits are not too bad this year, and anyone who throws an eephus is pretty cool in my book. (It’s not too hard to get into my book, apparently)

Amaury translates into "Punisher of Spheroids" in the lost tongue of Atlantis. Marti means "Belgian Waffle." www.futureredbirds.net

by erik on Sep 15, 2008 5:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It did occur to me shortly after i posted

that I should have included splits on this.

Dang it!

by aNdrOss on Sep 15, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't looked at his splits.....

But he’s been pretty terrible overall.

Comes from a neat family though. I used to work and play softball with his brother in Dallas. His brother was a pitcher for Texas Tech, I believe.

by SoonerfanTU on Sep 15, 2008 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here

Marte: 2.23
Fuentes: 2.19
Oliver: 3.88
Embree: 3.29
Reyes: 2.97
Beimel: 2.74
Shouse: 2.44
Affeldt: 4.51
Rhodes: 2.74
Ohman: 3.08
Miller: 3.10
Eyre: 4.49
Hendrickson: 4.25
Guardado: 3.66
Villone: 4.13
Ramirez: 3.67
Fossum: 4.83

Isn’t Eyre a lefty specialist? How is he better against righties?
Anyway, these are FIP again, only against lefties, 3 year averages (I noticed this second time doing this that Ramirez didn’t pitch in ‘07, so he’s got ‘05 data factored in). I realize this isn’t what people normally look at when they look at splits, but I wanted to be consistent. I still like Marte, Beimel, and Ohman.

by aNdrOss on Sep 15, 2008 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that's actually a very good way to look at splits

ERA split is worthless and OPS-against is pretty volatile for loogy’s, though I guess FIP would be too.

I can’t see the Dodgers letting beimel go- he’s kind of a fan favorite- but I love watching him pitch. I’m really surprised that his FIP is so low, given his low K/9. but I’d love to see him picked up.

Anybody know anything about dennys reyes? I’ve never seen him pitch, but you’ve gotta love a 32yo dude who can throw 50 innings of 504 ERA+ baseball (2006), especially if he’s a type B. Then again, he’s been pretty awful in the past as well, and he’s coming off a good year so he won’t be cheap (currently earning $1M).

"All I am saying is give Freese a chance!" -- nmstar

by SleepyCA on Sep 15, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How Much

Is it possible in today’s market to sign a free agent LH reliver to a 1yr deal, or maybe 1yr with a 2nd yr option? If the answrer is NO, then what is a comfortable length of time the Cards Mgmt would be willing to go to?

Can the cards sign any of these guys for less than 2yrs @ $4M per yr? (my three favorite on the list)

2008 Money:
Will Ohman $1.6M
Joe Beimel $1.925M
Jeremy Affeldt $3M

by Knighttime on Sep 15, 2008 7:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i do have a gut feeling that it will be

beimel. we need someone with a jersey # in the high nineties that make the fans inexplicably giddy.

Amaury translates into "Punisher of Spheroids" in the lost tongue of Atlantis. Marti means "Belgian Waffle." www.futureredbirds.net

by erik on Sep 15, 2008 11:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he's got good splits vs. lefties

and a K rate Duncan and LaRussa love

by chuckb on Sep 17, 2008 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a clarification

“And, if Ohman does continue to stay out of the type B range, he does seem to be the best option, though. Solid strikeouts, kind of young. He’ll probably cost some money, but we do have some to play with this year.”

We wouldn’t give up a pick to sign a type B – it would just mean the other team getting a supplemental pick.

On a completely unrelated note, was anybody else really surprised to realize Darren Oliver was still pitching? I wouldn’t have had any idea what team he even played for if I hadn’t been to a game in Anaheim this year.

by Phizzle on Sep 16, 2008 5:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Shouse is deadly against lefties

and horrid vs. righties. He’d be OK if used correctly. I still like Ohman the best and wouldn’t be opposed to signing Alan Embree on a 1 year deal. Just say no to any type-A lefty reliever — that means you, Brian Fuentes.

by chuckb on Sep 16, 2008 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Isn't Embree basically already signed for next year?

His option is a good deal for Oakland. I doubt they’ll pass on him, even for that B pick.

Space.

It's a problem we face.

So we never go anywhere.

We just stay in one place.

by hazel on Sep 16, 2008 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Option

Oakland has a $3M option on Embree for 2009

by Knighttime on Sep 16, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why hasn't Rhodes been a Card yet?

more importantly why is his name never brought up?

by Harknights on Sep 16, 2008 6:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

His name was certainly brought up...

around the trade deadline. I was one of those on here saying the Cards should make a move for him…Marlins picked him up for a C (maybe B) prospect I believe. I’d like to see him on the 2009 roster – he has closing experience (something our BP will be lacking next year) and the best FIP on this list. He K’s plenty and doesn’t give up the long ball…he does give a few too many free passes but not in the same zipcode as what Villone and Flores divvy out. Plus he’s a type B free agent – won’t cost anything.

by cardzfanbub on Sep 17, 2008 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

to a certain extent

the loggy issue pre-supposes LaRussa is still at the helm. He seems to have a maniacal insistence on it. We need relief pitchers who can get people out; if they are all right-handed, so be it.
For the record tho, I am in favor of Beimel. Anyone named Joe gets my vote.
{{ except for Morgan, of course }}

by the Tewk on Sep 17, 2008 2:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs