So, no Peavy or Oswalt and now there's some whining about no-trade clauses? Probably the same folks who whine about player movement and teams NOT being able to keep their core together because of free agency. Sorry, folks, you can't have it both ways.
When players choose to "stay at home" with their original clubs, it usually means for a lesser dollar amount than the open market of free agency would bring. In both of these cases that rings true.
When players choose to "stay at home" with their original clubs, it usually means for a lesser dollar amount than the open market of free agency would bring. In both of these cases that rings true.
If Jake Peavy would have signed the deal he agreed to with San Diego WITHOUT a no-trade clause, he would have been traded the day after the signing to the highest bidder offering prospects. It's a give-and-take process to insure the home town team is serious about building a club around their star players.
And why the hell would a National League pitcher WANT to come to the AL right now? The gap of talent between the leagues seems to be increasing as we speak! There aren't any offensive lineups in the National League that would even break into the mix of the top 12 AL squads.
Add to that fact the difference the DH makes and switching leagues is almost as dire as choosing to pitch in Colorado.
Add to that fact the difference the DH makes and switching leagues is almost as dire as choosing to pitch in Colorado.
You see, the DH is not a one player difference in a lineup, i.e. pitcher replaced by the DH. In a National League lineup, your No. 8 hitter must expand his strike zone several times to avoid having the pitcher come up in a big run scoring opportunity.
That already makes it a two player difference between the lineups of the two leagues. Add to that, the starting pitcher will more than likely HAVE to come to bat 2 times during the game, at least one pressure / problematic situation will be absolutely wiped away from a starting pitcher's list of troubles during EVERY GAME!
Why would these guys WANT to change leagues? They aren't scared folks, just smart.
That already makes it a two player difference between the lineups of the two leagues. Add to that, the starting pitcher will more than likely HAVE to come to bat 2 times during the game, at least one pressure / problematic situation will be absolutely wiped away from a starting pitcher's list of troubles during EVERY GAME!
Why would these guys WANT to change leagues? They aren't scared folks, just smart.
8 Comments
kswissreject said:
It's certainly understandable that Peavy/Oswalt/any other NL pitcher would want to stay in their league, both for comfort's sake and due to the talent disparity. But I suppose the question is whether they're looking for a challenge?
Much like Japan's stars want to prove themselves in MLB, I'm sure there are a fair amount of good NL pitchers that would relish the chance to prove themselves in the AL. Of course, the difference betweeen Japan/MLB is much greater than NL/AL, but I think it's a similar concept. Not all Japanese players want to play here (Yu Darvish, it seems, is one of those, at least for now).
Someone like CC Sabathia, for instance. I mean, he went for the money, but I can easily see him being up for the challenge. Yes, he spent the first part of his career in the AL, but after experiencing the dominance he had in the NL, could easily have decided to stay there for the numbers. Not to mitigate the money factor, but more than Peavy/Oswalt, he seems to really have that drive. Everyone calls Peavy a bulldog, but I think a real bulldog would welcome the challenge.
You just have to wonder how much of a drive Peavy (and Oswalt) has pitching for a team with no shot in the immediate future.
Jack McDowell said:
You are correct on many items. Some folks go for comfort and some go for the money. But it doesn't always have to do with "the challenge." Some guys don't give a crap about the challenge and will just get the highest dollar amount. But that doesn't guarantee a chance to win any more than playing for the hometown team does. Yankees anyone? And why wouldn't Peavy, as a bulldog, not see it as a challenge to win with a small market team, whom he has already helped to the playoffs a couple of times. it's just tough to truly know what goes through guys heads!
BDSCPA68 said:
I can give you $22M reasons why Peavy should want to go to the AL!!!
Jack McDowell said:
$22 M and his ERA goes from the 2's to the 5's!
BDSCPA68 said:
Not being a major leaguer, all-star and Cy Young award winner, I guess it is easy for me to say take the money. I suppose not performing in the AL might tarnish his legacy.... but then again, what kind of legacy does he leave now? If he accepts a trade to an NL city which is not in a serious playoff scenario (LA, NY), he will look like a goof.
Jack McDowell said:
The key is...he's not going ANYWHERE. Legacy or no legacy, he took less money to stay there and from what I hear...he's stayin!
BDSCPA68 said:
I can give you $22M reasons why Peavy SHOULD want to play for the White Sox!
Murph said:
Im glad Peavy turned us down, I hated to have to give Richard up, I think he will have a long career with us, and Peavy would be gone at the end of his contract. Like you said Jack, he may have gotten to the AL and ended up with an ERA near 5
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