The Master Batters have sent ace SP Dan Haren ($23) to WinOrLoseHitTheBooze for SP Matt Garza ($11) and RP Francisco Cordero ($12).
Haren, 29, is the definition of an ace starter. He is durable (5 straight years of 33 starts or more), effective (career 3.61 ERA 1.18 WHIP) and improving. According to FanGraphs.com, Haren has improved his K/9 IP rate over each of his seven big league seasons:
2003 - 5.33 K/9If Haren can ever find a way to make his Post-All Star stats (4.21 ERA and 1.32 WHIP) look more like his Pre-All Star stats (3.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP) he will solidify himself among the top 5 starters in the game.
2004 - 6.26 K/9
2005 - 6.76 K/9
2006 - 7.10 K/9
2007 - 7.76 K/9
2008 - 8.58 K/9
2009 - 8.75 K/9
The Master Batters receive a younger and cheaper, but less developed starter in Tampa Bay's Matt Garza. Garza posted an 8-12 record in 2009 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.26 WHIP to go with a 189/79 K/BB ratio.Garza was originally selected by the Minnesota Twins, 25th Overall in 2005. Making his debut in 2006, Garza skyrocketed through the Twins system and made 9 starts in the Majors the same year. Garza split a solid 2007 season between AAA and the big club but was traded to the Rays after the season.
According to FanGraphs.com, Garza dramatically improved his K/9 rate in 2009. It jumped from 6.24 the year before, up to 8.38. Expect that number to come down a bit and settle somewhere slightly above his career average of 7.29 K/9 IP.
The second player acquired by the Master Batters will help strengthen the bullpen. RP Francisco Cordero has had two strong seasons since signing with the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 2008 season. Last year he racked up 39 saves, pushing his career total to an even 250. He also had nice peripheral numbers with a 2.16 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Although his K rate dropped in 2009, he has more than a strikeout per inning in his career.
No comments:
Post a Comment