While the most attractive free agent starting pitchers are now off of the market, there are still some notable names searching for a home in 2010. One such pitcher is Braden Looper.
For the Brewers in 2009, Looper posted a 5.22 ERA with 4.6 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 while eating 194.2 innings. While standard pitching metrics were less than kind to the 35-year-old, xFIP portrayed him in a better light as he recorded a 4.90 – his best since becoming a starter in 2007.
In September of last year it appeared as though Milwaukee would exercise their side of Looper's $6.5MM mutual option for 2010. Instead, GM Doug Melvin went in a different direction, choosing to buy out the option for $1MM. Although he did not rule out a return at the time, Melvin filled the void by inking Randy Wolf and Doug Davis to help augment the rotation.
In December, Looper made it known that he would like to pitch for the Cubs as his three children attend Chicago-area schools. The Dodgers seemed like a possible fit for the righty until financial troubles limited their spending this offseason. We're now one week into February, and Looper is still without a job.
What teams should look into signing Looper? In a market where an effective (yet, injury prone) Erik Bedard just received $1.5MM guaranteed for 2010, what kind of a deal will Looper be able to land?
there is a reason he isnt signed… he was horrible last year
Last year LOL? Except one year of dave Duncan magic, he’s been pretty bad his whole career.
I think the Brewers should pay Looper $1M to pitch for the Cubs
there is a reason he isnt signed… he was horrible last year
Considering he gave up 39 home runs last year I’d think the Cubs want to avoid him like… well I used the drunk fat girl in a bar simile yesterday.
Yeah you can’t use that metaphor again.
I think since he lead the league in home runs given up he would do well on the Mets. But the Mets would rather be the house on the side of the road and watch him go by (Ernie Harwell’s saying).
Also, I think that if Braden labeled himself as a reliever, not only would he get a job quicker but the Cubs may jump in.
Yeah, I’m not feeling creative tonight.
Tomorow’s another day. And even though Baseball fans such as myself know that Baseball is 365 days a year, in about 2 hours it’s officially BASEBALL TIME!!!
But as I said. It’s always Baseball time. Including right now.
Tomorow’s another day. And even though Baseball fans such as myself know that Baseball is 365 days a year, in about 2 hours it’s officially BASEBALL TIME!!!
But as I said. It’s always Baseball time. Including right now.
Yeah, I’m not feeling creative tonight.
Yeah you can’t use that metaphor again.
I think since he lead the league in home runs given up he would do well on the Mets. But the Mets would rather be the house on the side of the road and watch him go by (Ernie Harwell’s saying).
Also, I think that if Braden labeled himself as a reliever, not only would he get a job quicker but the Cubs may jump in.
Considering he gave up 39 home runs last year I’d think the Cubs want to avoid him like… well I used the drunk fat girl in a bar simile yesterday.
he should go back to the bullpen… he had some really good years coming on in relief if you look at his stats
he should go back to the bullpen… he had some really good years coming on in relief if you look at his stats
You could do a lot worse than looper as your 5th starter. How about phillies. P.S my cable is out, what’s the superbowl score?
Damn that sucks, 10 to 6 Colts
Damn that sucks, 10 to 6 Colts
10-6 Colts.
10-6 Colts.
yea but you still have internet if you’re commenting on this websites… that means you can go to other websites and follow the game…
yikes
yea but you still have internet if you’re commenting on this websites… that means you can go to other websites and follow the game…
yikes
Braden Looper would do terrible in Philadelphia. The guy NEEDS to be in a pitchers ballpark. He led Major League Baseball in home runs given up.
Braden Looper would do terrible in Philadelphia. The guy NEEDS to be in a pitchers ballpark. He led Major League Baseball in home runs given up.
philly has better defense so the ERA should drop or atleast stay the same, besides a person who won 15 games last season and ate up 200 innings, what more could you ask for in your number 5 starter?
oh and miller park is also hitters friendly so its not much of a change..
Come on, everyone knows wins are a bogus stat.
Come on, everyone knows wins are a bogus stat.
You are completely avoiding the topic. This isn’t a sinker-baller we are talking about. Defense doent’t matter at all when we talk about Braden Looper. He led the Majors in home runs given up. Ibanez, Victorino, and Werth won’t do a better job pulling the ball back in to the ballpark than Braun, Cameron, and Hart. His E.R.A. was miserable and if he was on the Royals he would have gone 4-18.
You are completely avoiding the topic. This isn’t a sinker-baller we are talking about. Defense doent’t matter at all when we talk about Braden Looper. He led the Majors in home runs given up. Ibanez, Victorino, and Werth won’t do a better job pulling the ball back in to the ballpark than Braun, Cameron, and Hart. His E.R.A. was miserable and if he was on the Royals he would have gone 4-18.
philly has better defense so the ERA should drop or atleast stay the same, besides a person who won 15 games last season and ate up 200 innings, what more could you ask for in your number 5 starter?
oh and miller park is also hitters friendly so its not much of a change..
You could do a lot worse than looper as your 5th starter. How about phillies. P.S my cable is out, what’s the superbowl score?
Orioles were interested in him last year. Not sure where he would fit in their rotation but no team should have to pay more than 2M for him. No point in giving him incentives, he can pitch about 190 innings, but they will be crappy ones. Take what you can get.
Livan Hernandez type – won’t break down, but a lot of times you wish he’d end up on the DL.
He was pretty unremarkable here in Milwaukee. Just a guy.
Livan Hernandez type – won’t break down, but a lot of times you wish he’d end up on the DL.
He was pretty unremarkable here in Milwaukee. Just a guy.
Orioles were interested in him last year. Not sure where he would fit in their rotation but no team should have to pay more than 2M for him. No point in giving him incentives, he can pitch about 190 innings, but they will be crappy ones. Take what you can get.
The Nationals should look at him, another veteran starter wouldn’t hurt them.
The Nationals should look at him, another veteran starter wouldn’t hurt them.
Come back to the Cards we still love you!
No we don’t š
He’s a better option than Hill, Garcia, or K-Mac for the right price.
Not unless he learned to be ambedrextrous and can be a lefty starter.
Not unless he learned to be ambedrextrous and can be a lefty starter.
not really.
someone in the Hill/Garcia/KMac/Boggs/Hawksworth combo can be above replacement level.
Looper is just plain bad. Unless the price is league minimum or close to it, he’s 100% not a better option.
not really.
someone in the Hill/Garcia/KMac/Boggs/Hawksworth combo can be above replacement level.
Looper is just plain bad. Unless the price is league minimum or close to it, he’s 100% not a better option.
He’s a better option than Hill, Garcia, or K-Mac for the right price.
No we don’t š
Come back to the Cards we still love you!
He takes the ball every 5 days and you know your proably going to get 6 innings and 4 runs allowed. For a decent offensive club he will keep you in the game. There are alot of fifth starters in the league right now he is better than, heck there are alot of fourth starters worse than him. You know what your getting with him and someone looking for stability should sign him up for 2 years $6 million maybe.
He takes the ball every 5 days and you know your proably going to get 6 innings and 4 runs allowed. For a decent offensive club he will keep you in the game. There are alot of fifth starters in the league right now he is better than, heck there are alot of fourth starters worse than him. You know what your getting with him and someone looking for stability should sign him up for 2 years $6 million maybe.
Wonder if the Pirates would be interested in him. They have been connected to him in the past. He could compete for the 5th starters or go to the pen. I’d rather have him in the pen and have Daniel McCutchen be the 5th starter
Wonder if the Pirates would be interested in him. They have been connected to him in the past. He could compete for the 5th starters or go to the pen. I’d rather have him in the pen and have Daniel McCutchen be the 5th starter
Didn’t Looper win 15 games last year? Thats more wins than a guy like Lackey who got 80+ million. I think this is a no brainer signing for someone like the Mets.
So what………….???
Didn’t Dice-K go 18-3 one year?
Looper had a good record, not a good year.
What is this about looper being an innings eater. He has a 5.22 era. You can get your best triple A pitcher to do that and he is more likely to improve.
I have to agree with MattHolliday and I’m a Brewers fan. The Cardinal rotation lacks depth.
Hill’s a head case and while not a bad gamble, he’s certainly not a guy you can rely on. They lack much else for 5th starters.
With their lineup, Looper could easily win another 12-14 as their 5th starter.
The Cardinal bullpen is a bigger problem though.
I agree Looper could probably post a good record with 15 or so wins with an atrocious ERA. I’d rather sign Mike MacDougal to shore up the bullpen if we’re going to sink something into a pitcher.
I think the Brewers should pay Looper $2M to pitch for the Cubs
We’ll take that. Remember,we’re the guys who traded a good, young prospect and paid millions of dollars for Kevin Gregg.
Look around the N.L. You can do much worse than Looper.
He’ll be somebodies 5th starter/long relief guy.
Nats GM Mike Rizzo is on the record saying he’s still looking for pitching, and Looper is just about the last (potentially) worthwhile starter out there. It just depends on whether he’s willing to play in D.C.