Jamie Moyer and 4 Starting Pitchers Who Should Call It Quits After 2012

Pitching has always been the hardest commodity to come by for MLB teams. Starting pitching is an even rarer find. 

With 30 teams fighting for arms, pitchers are likely to get numerous chances, regardless of how poor their performances have been.

The expectations for fourth and fifth starters has become so low that it is only a matter time before a club tries to roll out a pitching machine to save a few dollars and a roster spot.

At 49-years old, Jamie Moyer's inclusion in the Colorado Rockies' rotation was surprising. He deserves credit for his perseverance, but under no circumstances should he be allowed to continue pitching beyond this season.

He is not the only hurler who should call it quits after 2012. Here are a few starting pitchers in MLB who should retire at the end of the season. 

Jamie Moyer's Last Hurrah

There is something unsatisfying about Jamie Moyer still being able to make a MLB rotation at the age of 49.

This is not a slight to Moyer, who is one of the nicest guys in the game and deserves his spot, but it speaks volumes about the talent pool that he can still find a position at the highest level.

It is easy to see why teams make moves like this. The culture of baseball dictates that experience is always preferred over the unknown. The Rockies know what Moyer will give them.

A decent pitcher. Nothing more and nothing less.

Colorado played it safe. Any of the other pitchers vying for the last spot in the Rockies' rotation could have flamed out, but each also had far more upside.

Moyer should retire after this season. There is no doubt he could keep pitching until he is dead, but it would serve no purpose other than to break age-related records.

There are other players capable of producing at the same level as Moyer, so it is not as if any team needs him. All he is doing is preventing a younger player from having a spot in the major leagues. Let someone else enjoy the dream.

At least Moyer still looks relatively good for his age. Anyone who got stuck with Charlie Hough's baseball card from the late '80s-early '90s knows how creepy it is to have a man who looks like your grandfather in your card collection.

Barry Zito Just Needs to Make His Retirement Official

Some will argue Barry Zito retired the minute he signed that contract with the San Francisco Giants in 2007.

It is a fair assessment. Zito has been a huge bust for the Giants, who are so burdened by his contract that they are more or less obligated to let him start.

Zito would be best served to walk away from the game after this year. Unlike most players, he has plenty of career options once he does call it quits.

Actor, musician, yoga instruction and stuffed animal collector are just a few trades he could take up. Giants fans would be happy for him to pick any other job other than pitching at AT&T Park.  

When Zito was on his game he was arguably the best pitcher in baseball. His curveball is still a sight to behold, but everything else is brutal to watch.

Zito's retirement after 2012 would be the best thing for all parties involved. 

Derek Lowe Should Quit While He Is Ahead

Derek Lowe has had a very nice career. He has won a few games, got a World Series ring and will always remembered for throwing the first no-hitter Fenway Park had witnessed in decades.

He has also had a few low points as well. The DUI last season, losing his closing gig in Boston to Ugueth Urbina and a panache for being shelled on an epic level every once in a while will probably follow him around too.

That is why Lowe needs to retire after 2012. Last season was one of Lowe's worst. He looked like a man who had no business throwing little league batting practice let alone playing in the majors.

He should redeem himself in Cleveland this season and walk away before he ruins it.

Putting up respectable numbers for the Indians will not be that hard, and doing so would help him retire with the knowledge he could still produce.

It may not be going out on top, but it is as close to the top as Lowe will ever be again.  

Carlos Zambrano Can Make It Two Retirements in Two Years

Technically, Carlos Zambrano has already retired once, but that one didn't really stick.

The man who once proclaimed he wanted to be a Cub for life is now part of the Miami Marlins revolution. This will only end poorly.

Zambrano is a man who cannot get his act together. Every quality start is proceeded by an abomination of performance and every temper tantrum is followed by a magnificent outing.

If he was consistent, Zambrano could be well on his way to a Hall of Fame career. Instead, he is simply known as a loose canon. 

It is hard to see things working out well in Miami, mostly because he seems to find something to complain about everywhere. The Marlins will have some growing pains as they adjust to a new ballpark and a revamped roster, and Zambrano is not a man known for his patience. 

Another Zambrano retirement after this season would certainly be good for some entertainment value even if he still makes it back to pitch in 2013.

Carlos Silva Is Best Suited for Retirement

Carlos Silva is still a free agent after being released by the Red Sox in March, but some team will take a flyer on him before the season is out.

That should be the last chance Silva gets in the MLB.

Silva has been awful since 2008 and would be doing the world a service by hanging up his cleats. There is not a fan of any team that would want to see Silva take the mound for their club.

It may seem harsh but that is just how bad Silva has been. The only reason he is still hanging around is because he was kind of decent for the Twins six years ago.

That time is gone, and now Silva looks like that out-of-shape guy who eats all the cake at an office party. There is no reason he should pitch beyond 2012.