04-22-2010, 07:53 AM
<!--quoteo(post=91986:date=Apr 22 2010, 12:43 AM:name=bz)-->QUOTE (bz @ Apr 22 2010, 12:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->According to Boers and Bernstein (whom I have serious issues with) they said that the best reliever in baseball last year's value is equivalent to a mediocre 3rd starter to 4th starter. So if Z is lights out as a reliever he is still only being valued as a Gorz or Silva. The replacement level pitcher for Zambrano is no one we have in the rotation.
Zambrano will always be a frustrating pitcher. He pitches to contact sometimes and pitches to K sometimes. His career BABIP against is around .270. His career whip is around 1.3. He'll walk guys, he'll give up a few hits, he'll "beat himself", but he'll also be lights out. His career quality start % is 62 (for comparison's sake, from 21 to Z's current age Halladay had a career 64% in QS.) A quality start gives a team a 75% change of winning a game. Zambrano is crazy, emotional and paid a lot. But any given day start he can be the best pitcher in baseball. You don't take a guy with that potential out to pitch a third of his usual innings.
You want your best hitters to get the most at bats in a season. Wouldn't you want your best pitchers to pitch the most innings as well?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Everything you just said, x10. Perfect.
Zambrano will always be a frustrating pitcher. He pitches to contact sometimes and pitches to K sometimes. His career BABIP against is around .270. His career whip is around 1.3. He'll walk guys, he'll give up a few hits, he'll "beat himself", but he'll also be lights out. His career quality start % is 62 (for comparison's sake, from 21 to Z's current age Halladay had a career 64% in QS.) A quality start gives a team a 75% change of winning a game. Zambrano is crazy, emotional and paid a lot. But any given day start he can be the best pitcher in baseball. You don't take a guy with that potential out to pitch a third of his usual innings.
You want your best hitters to get the most at bats in a season. Wouldn't you want your best pitchers to pitch the most innings as well?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Everything you just said, x10. Perfect.
Cubs News and Rumors at Bleacher Nation.