5 Sleeper MLB Free Agents That Will Make Big Rotation Impact
Now that the MLB teams and players have had a few weeks to feel out the free-agent market, expect the action to heat up this week.
The San Francisco Giants made the offseason's biggest pitcher signing so far on Monday when they inked Tim Hudson to a two-year deal worth $23 million, per Alex Pavlovic of the Bay Area News Group. In essence, Hudson did more than just secure himself a deal, as he set a benchmark for other potential pitcher deals this winter.
There are plenty of big-name targets available like Matt Garza, Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez; however, there are some lesser-known pitchers who could have major roles with their new respective teams in 2014. Not only that, but it could come at a fraction of the price of the other marquee arms on the market.
Let's take a look at five of the top pitchers on the market this year who may be overlooked but are capable of making big impacts next season.
Freddy Garcia, RHP
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Freddy Garcia is by no means the same pitcher he was during his heyday with the Chicago White Sox, but the 37-year old wrapped up 2013 strong and likely earned himself a bigger paycheck this winter.
Garcia began the year with the Baltimore Orioles but was sent to Triple-A in June before being shipped to the Atlanta Braves for cash two months later. It proved to be a bargain for the Braves, as Garcia posted a 1.65 ERA in six appearances (three starts) in September.
But he saved his best for the playoffs, going toe-to-toe with Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw for six innings in Game 4 of the NLDS before the the Atlanta bullpen eventually lost the game and the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the NLCS.
It's a small sample size, but Garcia's ability to pitch under pressure and deliver makes him an attractive, relatively low-cost option for the many teams who would like to add to the rotation. By swallowing his pride and making 14 Triple-A appearances in 2013, he's proved that he still has the passion for the game. Not to mention he pitched all year and stayed healthy.
Garcia has never been a power pitcher, so he doesn't need to alter his game much entering the twilight of his career. He's definitely worth a one-year deal and could end up being a steal.
Jeff Karstens, RHP
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Jeff Karstens missed the entire 2013 season due to shoulder issues, problems that eventually caused him to have season-ending rotator cuff and labrum surgery in June.
There are always red flags when a player misses an entire season, but Karstens is just 31 years old and had showed promise as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation before his setback in 2013. His best year came in 2011, when he went 9-9 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 30 outings (26 starts) for a team that finished with a 72-90 record.
Durability is the biggest concern for Karstens, who also dealt with a series of nagging injuries in 2012 that limited him to just 19 games (15 starts). His career high for innings pitched is 162.1 (2011), so all of the injury questions don't make him worth much more than a low-risk, one-year deal at this point.
But if Karstens is able to recapture the form that allowed him to post a combined 3.59 ERA during the 2011-12 seasons, he would be welcome on almost any pitching staff. The Pirates signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million deal last year, so look for his price to drop this offseason.
Paul Maholm, LHP
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Paul Maholm didn't enjoy much overall success in 2013, but with his track record he figures to have some suitors this winter.
According to Jordan Hall of CSNPhilly.com, Maholm could be a good fit for the Philadelphia Phillies as they search for depth behind Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels in the rotation. Hall also compares Maholm to fellow crafty southpaw Jason Vargas, who figures to receive a larger multiyear deal this winter, even though the two could have similar numbers in 2014.
Maholm, 31, finished the 2013 season with a 10-11 record, 4.41 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 153 innings as he dealt with issues in his pitching elbow and wrist. It marked the lowest innings pitched total for Maholm since his a rookie year in 2005.
Innings eaters are always welcome in the clubhouse and Maholm tossed at least 162 innings in each season from 2006-12. Through he regressed a bit last year, he still has a combined 3.89 ERA over 504.1 innings of work since 2011.
Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com speculates Maholm could earn a one-year deal in the neighborhood of $7 million this offseason. While that's still a considerable price tag that may put him out of reach for smaller-market teams, it will be a bargain compared to the three-year contract Vargas seeks.
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Bruce Chen, LHP
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Bruce Chen may be getting ready for his 16th MLB season, but the southpaw can still navigate his way around a lineup.
Chen turned in one of the best years of his career in 2013, going 9-4 with a 3.27 ERA, the lowest mark of his career for any season when he made at least nine appearances. Chen also enjoyed unprecedented success in the WHIP department (1.18), an indication that he can still be a tough customer on the mound.
The 36-year-old began the year as a long reliever but finished as a starter for the Kansas City Royals, who led the American League with a 3.45 team ERA. As a starter, he went 6-4 with a 3.61 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 15 outings.
Near the end of the season, Chen lobbied to stay with Kansas City as he wrapped up a two-year, $9 million deal. While Chen said he wants to play "four or five" more years, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, a one- or two-year deal seems more likely at this point.
The Royals, or any other team for that matter, should take a long look at trying to add a veteran southpaw like Chen who won't break the bank.
Ryan Vogelsong, RHP
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Just like the rest of his 2013 teammates on the San Francisco Giants, Ryan Vogelsong would like to quickly turn the page on a disappointing season.
San Francisco followed up its second championship run in three years by going 76-86 and tying the San Diego Padres for third place in the NL West. Vogelsong, meanwhile, dealt with a bevy of issues that hindered him all season long.
He struggled out of the gate, and by the end of the season said that participating in the World Baseball Classic may have led to his demise. Vogelsong suggested the added innings on top of a late 2012 October run could have been to blame as he posted a 2-4 record with a 7.19 ERA and a .318 batting average against in nine starts to begin the year.
Just as Vogelsong was in the midst of his best start of the year on May 20 he was hit by a pitch and broke his hand, keeping him sidelined until August. He finished the year with a 4-6 record, 5.73 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. It was a far cry from the combined 27-16 record, 3.05 ERA and 1.24 WHIP he posted from 2011-12 after reinventing himself following four seasons out of MLB.
It appears Vogelsong has two suitors in the Bay Area, as the Giants and Oakland A's have both reportedly shown interest. Vogelsong is 36, but 2013 could be viewed as an aberration, and I suspect he'll be an effective, low-cost option who could be a No. 2 in some rotations.
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