30 year-old righty Justin Duchscherer hadn’t started regularly since 2003. He made the switch this year, and the result has been the best ERA in baseball (1.96) and an All-Star appearance. Granted, that ERA isn’t sustainable (nor is a .227 BABIP or 5.7% HR per flyball rate). Still, he’s having a fantastic year any way you slice it.
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Duchscherer hopes to sign a three-year extension to stay in Oakland. That’d cover his last two arbitration years and one of free agency. GM Billy Beane implied that he’d prefer to pursue a deal in the offseason, after Duchscherer completes a healthy season. Over the last few years, he’s dealt with a biceps strain, hip surgery, and elbow tendinitis.