Five teams have watched Justin Duchscherer throw this winter, and the Orioles will be the sixth when Duchscherer throws a bullpen session for the club on Friday. The right-hander tells MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli that his choice will likely hinge on whichever team gives him a chance to start games next season.
"I just don't feel like with the injuries I've had, I don't think that would be beneficial for my career to be [a reliever] for a team," said Duchscherer. "For me it's black and white. I want to start, that's the whole mindset I have. I haven't even thought of being a reliever….I want a team that's going to be honest with me and say, 'If you're healthy, you are going to start.'"
After missing the entire 2009 season due to an elbow injury, Duchscherer pitched just 28 innings for Oakland last year before undergoing hip surgery. With this injury history and his fairly limited starting experience (just 32 of his 224 career Major League games have been starts), a bullpen stint wouldn't be out of the question, but Duchscherer has drawn interest from enough teams that it appears he'll find a starting spot somewhere.
Duchscherer is two weeks ahead of his usual offseason training schedule due to his abbreviated season last year, and he described his health as "pretty much 100 percent."
"I'm doing [these bullpens] as a precaution, so I know how I feel," the right-hander said. "And so far everything has gone good."
The Athletics, Pirates, Red Sox and Yankees have all shown some interest in the right-hander this winter. Duchscherer dismissed the idea that his past issues with depression would keep him from playing in the pressurized New York market. Over 34% of MLBTR readers polled feel that Duchscherer is the best free agent starter still on the market.
Jon Heyman just said he signed with Scott Boras….and signed with the Yankees for $5M.
well he can “pretty much” sign a minor league deal
I had no idea the Duchscherer was so eloquent. Frankly, given his career, I would just be happy to be on a 40 man roster with an invitation to spring training.
“I want to prove to you that I can start by throwing a bullpen session … but bullpen work would be bad for my arm. So please pay me as a starter and we’ll go from there.”
Signed,
JD
Sign him up for the O’s. He’s an ace when he’s on. The O’s are “pretty much” Ace-less.
What about Brian Matusz? In the second half, he looked good against the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox.
Yeah def. He certainly could & most likely will be. No doubt in my mind he will be. They have a lot of good young potential.. Guthrie could very well be too. Gutz did very well this year b/c he didn’t have to face all the other teams aces. They had Millwood to go against them. You saw his record lol. I’ve been rooting for Duchscherer for a while, as should everybody. He is as good as anyone when healthy.
Did someone really “like” this? Millwood gave up over 5 runs per 9 innings pitched. That’s why his record is bad. Where is the evidence that he faced “aces” and how would that affect how well he pitches?
So…….. when will he be in NY for his physical with the Yankees?
Would make sense for the A’s to fill out their rotation. McCarthy/Harden/Outman is much more attractive as depth than battling for the 5th spot.
I agree with you, omazing. When the Duke is on, he’s on. I hope he stays in Oakland for another year. Billy Beane should sign him for a $1M base/$200K per start salary. The A’s have reportedly “had interest” in the Duke this off-season, too. I mean, we seem to be “going for it” this season, the money is in the bank, and the 5th starter position is very much up for grabs (not to mention with this Fragile Four it might be 5th starter by committee).
If each one of those guys can start 5 good games this year (which they can), then we just got ourselves 20 more wins. Get it done, Billy.
Generally I sympathize with Brian Cashman a lot when it looks like he has lied or said something deceiving. Even with the Soriano fiasco, I think what he said on Michael Kay today makes a lot of sense. He had to publically state he was against the deal so other GM’s wouldn’t think he was a liar. Which essentially means he was telling the truth.
Anyway, if he doesn’t make this signing, it is nothing but a lie Andy Pettitte is not effecting this offseason. If you sign Deuch and Andy then Nova is insurance and the Yankees have a ton of depth for the rotation (especially with three or four other high ceiling options in the minors). If Andy doesn’t come back, you have the next best thing considering the circumstances.
Cashman HAS to make a deal.
Adding to the point. They were prepared to give Lee, what? 23 million? Right now both Pettitte and Vazquez cancel that out. Signing Martin and Jones was part of the budget because the Yankees knew they had those needs. That leaves all of the other money off the books (Johnson, Thames, Aceves, Berkman, Wood) for Soriano….Which means they should still have enough money for one low priced starter.
The Yankees always have enough money. “Budget” is not in their vocabulary.
I think a wild card in this will be the White Sox, they have a need for the 5th starter to allow Sale to either a) be a fixture in the bullpen b) give competition/insurance for the 5th starter spot or c) be groomed for starting in the minors. I think this could be a good “get us through” signing for the all in White Sox, that is…only if he can be had for around 3 million with incentives. What are your non-yankees thoughts?
but he is pretty sure 100% he wants to start. Meaning yes right off the bat he would be a nice fit for the whitesox. But once peavy comes back he will be moved to the pen. Yes when JD is 100% healthy he is awesome but he has not been 100% healthy in years now. And there is no way when peavy comes back we trade jackson/floyd just because we have the duke….if he is willing to come off his high horse(which im wondering where it comes from, he has not been effective in a long time and even longer in a starting role) if he is will to accecpt that then yeah sign him make him the 5thuntill peavy is back and move him to the pen to be an emergency starter/ mop up guy
I guess I should have said something about him only being able to, realistically, make it through May so the time line with Peavy is ideal and if, IF, he is still healthy see what you can get on the open market or he is forced to the bullpen.
Duke, if he’s healthy, is absolutely filthy. I saw him play for the A’s and his stuff, is just outstanding. He’s as good as anyone when he’s on. Someone will get quite a deal if they sign him and he actually can start all season.
Jays should get him, that would great.
I’d give my life savings to have this guy in my rotation!!- Hank Steinbrenner
Please.. PLEASE sign with the Pirates!!
I agree, J.D. would be a good fit for the Pirates system