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Here's a peek at 28 pitchers available on the free-agent market. Though it leaves off such players like hometown loyalist Roger Clemens and reclamation projects like Hideo Nomo and Shane Reynolds, and of course doesn't consider players available in trade, it still should give you a good idea of what's out there.
SNLVAR is a Baseball Prospectus statistic that measures the team wins the pitcher provides in comparison to a replacement-level pitcher, accounting for the quality of the batters faced by the pitcher.
| Player | R/L | Age | IP | H | BB | SO | ERA | SNLVAR | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Alvarez | L | 34 | 120.2 | 109 | 31 | 102 | 4.03 | 1.1 | Still a top swingman |
| Kris Benson | R | 30 | 200.1 | 202 | 61 | 134 | 4.28 | 2.9 | This guy was a primo July trade target? |
| Paul Byrd | R | 33 | 114.1 | 123 | 19 | 79 | 3.94 | 1.8 | Has his good moments and his injured ones |
| Matt Clement | R | 30 | 181 | 155 | 77 | 190 | 3.68 | 3.2 | Good numbers, still underrated |
| Shawn Estes | L | 31 | 202 | 223 | 105 | 117 | 5.84 | -0.1 | Somehow survived Colorado, somehow only 31 |
| O. Hernandez | R | 35 | 84.2 | 73 | 36 | 84 | 3.30 | 2.9 | Best-looking potential bargain? |
| Al Leiter | L | 39 | 173.2 | 138 | 97 | 117 | 3.21 | 4.6 | Better version of Ishii: high walks but low hits |
| Cory Lidle | R | 32 | 211.1 | 224 | 61 | 126 | 4.90 | 1.3 | Durable in '04 – that's about it |
| Jon Lieber | R | 34 | 176.2 | 216 | 18 | 102 | 4.33 | 2.6 | Improved as season went on in comeback |
| Jose Lima | R | 32 | 170.1 | 178 | 34 | 93 | 4.07 | 2.7 | You're paying for spirit and magic, here. |
| Esteban Loaiza | R | 32 | 183 | 217 | 71 | 117 | 5.70 | 1.5 | Probably not salvagable |
| Derek Lowe | R | 31 | 182.2 | 224 | 71 | 105 | 5.42 | 0.7 | Postseason success obscures truly lousy year |
| Pedro Martinez | R | 33 | 217 | 193 | 61 | 227 | 3.90 | 5.5 | Still freaking good if not great, asking for moon |
| Kevin Millwood | R | 29 | 141 | 155 | 51 | 125 | 4.85 | 0.5 | Recovery potential, will poor 2004 lower price? |
| Eric Milton | L | 29 | 201 | 196 | 75 | 161 | 4.75 | 1.4 | Also gets Ks, but pricy and hittable (43 HR) |
| Matt Morris | R | 30 | 202 | 205 | 56 | 131 | 4.72 | 1.8 | Inconsistent |
| Russ Ortiz | R | 30 | 204.2 | 197 | 112 | 143 | 4.13 | 3.9 | Long overrated, people may be catching on |
| Carl Pavano | R | 28 | 222.1 | 212 | 49 | 139 | 3.00 | 5.6 | Control good, Ks average. Too hip a choice? |
| Odalis Perez | L | 27 | 196.1 | 180 | 44 | 128 | 3.25 | 5.0 | Stats similar to Pavano's |
| Brad Radke | R | 32 | 219.2 | 229 | 26 | 143 | 3.48 | 6.9 | Best season of 10-year career |
| Glendon Rusch | L | 30 | 129.2 | 127 | 33 | 90 | 3.47 | 2.1 | Hmm … an older Odalis or younger Alvarez? |
| Ismael Valdez | R | 31 | 170 | 202 | 49 | 67 | 5.19 | 0.2 | Cue the talkshows if he signs. Ug-lee K numbers |
| Ron Villone | L | 34 | 117 | 102 | 64 | 86 | 4.08 | 0.4 | Reliever who could spot start |
| David Wells | L | 41 | 195.2 | 203 | 20 | 101 | 3.73 | 4.2 | Wily and wooly - great control gets him by |
| Woody Williams | R | 38 | 189.2 | 193 | 58 | 131 | 4.18 | 2.4 | Another oldie but somewhat goodie |
| Paul Wilson | R | 31 | 183.2 | 192 | 63 | 117 | 4.36 | 2.6 | Mediocre |
| Jamey Wright | R | 29 | 78.2 | 82 | 45 | 41 | 4.12 | 1.6 | Decent season in pitcher's park possible |
| Jaret Wright | R | 28 | 186.1 | 168 | 70 | 159 | 3.28 | 4.1 | Another Leo Mazzone success – great comeback |
Here are, in alphabetical order, the best-looking targets:
Top targets, regardless of salary
Matt Clement
Jon Lieber
Pedro Martinez
Carl Pavano
Odalis Perez
Brad Radke
Woody Williams
Jaret Wright
Top bargain candidates
Wilson Alvarez
Orlando Hernandez
Glendon Rusch
There really isn't enough pitching to go around, is there?
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