Slogging through the effects of hurricane Sandy here in the Boston area I was jolted to spring training mode getting the info that Scott Baker's 2013 option was declined by the Twins. This makes Mr. Baker a free agent. He will be 30 for the 2013 season and is coming off of Tommy John surgery in April of 2012, but I'm willing to put him under the microscope because of his affordability (due to TJS) and skill profile. Of course, the Twins still have time to negotiate with him before free agency opens but here's hoping that doesn't happen. Let's investigate using the same process I used to come up with Anibal Sanchez, Francisco Liriano and Carlos Villanueva earlier this week. Thanks again to baseball reference and Baseball HQ for the stats.
Innings K K/9 WHIP Ground Ball % Innings/Start
2007 144 102 6.4 1.329 35% 6.26
2008 172 141 7.4 1.178 33% 6.14
2009 200 162 7.3 1.190 33% 7.14
2010 170 148 7.8 1.344 36% 5.86
2011 135 123 8.2 1.173 34% 6.43
Baker has a lot going for him. His K/9, WHIP, and Innings/Start are all very attractive. He is a fly ball pitcher, but his K ability and WHIP show he keeps the ball in the park, and he can really shorten a bullpen. He's coming off injury, but 10-12 months is seen as the recovery time for TJS, and his recovery appears to be on track for spring training in 2013.
Add Mr. Baker to the group of three I mentioned earlier in the week as the best potential targets for the Red Sox. Again, non of these guys are a slam dunk. These are merely my choices as the best free agents available in a cost effective environment. Scott Baker might have a setback, then again he has the skills to win 15-20 games. Here's hoping the Orioles also do the Sox a solid and decide $11 M is too much for the perfect fit for the open 1B position Mark Reynolds.
Until next time,
The SAHD
P.S. Remember you heard these things here first. Saw Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe tweeting about Anibal Sanchez as a fit for the Red Sox during his Game 3 World Series start on 9/27. I gave a much deeper insight into why Sanchez would be a good fit 3 days earlier. I posted Tim Thomas should be traded for Alexander Semin on 2/12/12. Thomas didn't play after April 26 last year and is now sitting out this non existent NHL season and even Semin's inconsistent scoring would've been welcome in last year's playoffs. Just sayin's all.
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