Pirates Interested in Jeff Francis

Francis and Aaron Cook. Always exciting to see your team bottom-feeding. But, hey, they'll be cheaper than Paul Maholm. And Francis' fastball averaged darn near 85 mph this year (84.7 to be exact).

6 months ago WTM 13 comments 0 recs |

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Sanserino just tweeted that an industry source is saying the Pirates interest in Francis is “inaccurate”. I feel like some writer source whatever is just trolling us lately

by Mingy on Dec 5, 2011 12:49 PM EST reply actions

and it's KLaw

SALE THE MCCUTCHEON

by Mingy on Dec 5, 2011 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

Called this when they declined Maholm's option

Better Francis than Cook I guess.

A rotation featuring Karstens, Francis and Wada would be interesting. With room to quibble, at this stage of their careers, they’re all basically the same guy.

Jose Tabata is the truth

The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.

by Raybin on Dec 5, 2011 1:20 PM EST reply actions

Wada would be a nice addition at the right price.

We have to remember, though, that he’s never started more than 26 games in a reg. season. If we get him and use him as a starter, we need to be a bit careful with his innings over the longer MLB season.

It would also be good to allow him to follow more of his Japanese-style throwing program between starts since that is what he is accustomed to.

Also, if the Bucs sign him, they’d better make use of Masumi Kuwata to help mentor Wada through at least spring training.

パトリック

by patthatt on Dec 5, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Since you know much more than any of us

about the NPB, who would you rather see the Bucs go after, given the difference in cost, Chen or Wada?

by nycbucsfan on Dec 5, 2011 3:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I don't think I know very much, especially after being out of Japan for a couple years.

I saw a figure of $20 million spread out over 4 years for Chen on one link posted here by brakeman. This scares me in terms of total dollars and the length of contract. If, as has been reported, Chen had some leg issues that cut into velocity last year and he should be healthy and throwing better next year, I’d like the Bucs to take a shot at him. (Also, let’s remember that Chen basically disappeared for injury reasons for 2 years-‘06/’07. The Pirates need to be very careful in evaluating his health.)

I prefer Wada over Chen, all things considered, and view him as a solid lefty out of the ’pen who could give multiple innings when needed and also some spot starts over the long season, somewhat similar to what Hisanori Takahashi did for the Mets 2 years ago. (If his success in NPB could translate to full-time starter status in MLB, even better.)

パトリック

by patthatt on Dec 5, 2011 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

Maholm

I find it interesting that Maholm has not been mentioned at all that I have seen. I wonder if he is viewed as better or worse than guys like Francis and Capuano.

by ballparkfranks on Dec 5, 2011 1:41 PM EST reply actions

Right now Maholm's in that mid-tier of starters...

…too expensive for teams cruising around picking up scraps (AAV of $5MM or less on tracts) and not good enough to be in the feeding frenzy at the top (CJ Wilson, Mark Buehrle, Yu Darvish). It’s a similar reason you haven’t heard much about Edwin Jackson being pursued, even though he’s a lock to land a good deal somewhere.

Jose Tabata is the truth

The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.

by Raybin on Dec 5, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

Pirates interested in every terrible player from one of Hurdle's Colorado teams

Just go with this headline and we’ll only have to have one story instead of 20.

by ElDuce on Dec 5, 2011 3:41 PM EST reply actions

I don’t think Francis deserves to be made fun of so much. He’s got no velocity, sure, but he’s been a sturdy 2-4 WAR pitcher his entire career. He also throws with his left hand, which is nice.

No jinx no jinx no jinx.

by Suffering Buc on Dec 5, 2011 4:18 PM EST reply actions

Right

In 2011 Francis pitched 180+ innings with an xFIP of 4.29 earning a WAR of 2.6. Maholm 160+ innings with an xFIP of 4.03 earning a WAR of 2.1. Career numbers are pretty similar too, and of course Francis has pitched in more challenging environments, namely Colorado and the American League. So, he’s not terrible, and he’s not a Cy Young candidate either.

Viva Clemente!

by Roberto on Dec 5, 2011 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

Tell me why this is stupid (besides being a waste of time that won't happen...)

Not worthy of a FanPost, thought I’d sneak this thought in here…

I am a fan of Ryan Madson. Think the the Phils were crazy to choose Papelbon over him for more money. Regardless, I don’t think a reliever is ever worth 10 million + (unless they reach icon status like Mo Rivera) and obviously the Bucs model can’t go there anyway.

I haven’t read it anywhere (in the case of Madson), but I generally get the sense and have read often that relievers would rather start. I wonder what Madson would think of a 3 yr., 25 million dollar contract with a 3-4 mil./yr. incentive bonus for 30 starts (and staying healthy) type offer.

His first, failed attempt at being an MLB starter was foiled by the failure to develop a 3rd pitch. At that time (2006), he was trying to work in a curve to add to his good fastball and plus change. The curve bombed and so did he. Since then, he has worked a cutter into his repertoire and it is reported to now be above average.

Obviously, I like that he has very good control and is an extreme ground ball pitcher that has not only survived at Citizens Bank Park, but thrived – in a variety of roles out of the pen, including long man.

I don’t like that, if memory serves, he seems to be good for at least one DL stint a year (which pretty much dashes my plan immediately).

Pie-in-the-sky horse shit, but everyone seems to get at least one of silly these ideas on record before they’re thrown to the wolves. Discuss, por favor.

by Hit'EmAllDock17 on Dec 5, 2011 6:43 PM EST reply actions