I'm glad we passed on Maholm

[Hollyw00d]

Dude is getting blasted.....in the NL West

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=8678&position=P

[tdawg87]

That's a clean peanut shell with a turd inside.

[Inside Pitch]

Phil Hughes... 3.15 ERA.   129 ERA+

Tim Hudson... 2.09 ERA.   159 ERA+

 

The two buy low peanuts.

[xboom28x]

Our starting rotation seems to be doing just fine.

 

Queue Wilson blowing out his elbow tomorrow

[OregonLAA]

Every year there are about 10 names that float around this site in the offseason and a lot of people seem to want them. Then they sign elsewhere and people scream at Dipoto. And then by the end of the year only one of those names ends up being any good.

Hudson was signed too early for us to even have a chance.

Our rotation is doing just fine so there shouldn't be any complaints.

Hughes, Haren, Maholm, Scott Baker, Garza and Santana were a few of the names I remember being thrown out there. About half of those guys are doing good, but like I said, we don't seem to need pitching at the moment

[eaterfan]

Every year there are about 10 names that float around this site in the offseason and a lot of people seem to want them. Then they sign elsewhere and people scream at Dipoto. And then by the end of the year only one of those names ends up being any good.

Hudson was signed too early for us to even have a chance.

Our rotation is doing just fine so there shouldn't be any complaints.

Hughes, Haren, Maholm, Scott Baker, Garza and Santana were a few of the names I remember being thrown out there. About half of those guys are doing good, but like I said, we don't seem to need pitching at the moment

 

That's why I don't have as big a problem with the Hanson and even Blanton signings as most. We will hit on some risks (like Skaggs or if we would have signed Hudson or Hughes) and we will miss on some. That is what happens when you shop in the bargain bin. The key is not making a big enough commitment to the bargain bin players to be stuck with them. I actually prefer this because some high end players can turn out to be duds too.

[Inside Pitch]

That's why I don't have as big a problem with the Hanson and even Blanton signings as most. We will hit on some risks (like Skaggs or if we would have signed Hudson or Hughes) and we will miss on some. That is what happens when you shop in the bargain bin. The key is not making a big enough commitment to the bargain bin players to be stuck with them. I actually prefer this because some high end players can turn out to be duds too.

 

While I disagree in the sense that the thought processes used to target Huddy and Hughes also tended to steer a person away from Blanton and Hanson, you're right in saying the key is in identifying how much $$$ to risk.

 

That's why I don't have a problem with them passing on Huddy, he ended up costing more (12 Mil) than I felt he would end up getting or would have spent in the first place..  But Hudson and Hughes are shining examples of why people should keep from using ERA to predict future results.  Also IMO the narrative that our pitching is fine so there was no need to add them is short sighed.  Injuries happen all the time, and we are not fine if that happens.

 

Ultimately the front office went into the offseason with a plan A, plan B, plan C, and let the situation play out.   The Trumbo trade remains a masterpiece even with Santiago struggling early on.

Edited May 22, 2014 by Inside Pitch

[Richard]

You look at his home/away splits(near 6 era on the road), awful post all star numbers, and you could see this would have been a disaster signing. 

[Docwaukee]

I was big on this guy:

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hammeja01.shtml

[Inside Pitch]

I was big on this guy:

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hammeja01.shtml

 

 

Yep, you were banging that drum by yourself for the most part.  Good call.  He has rebounded nicely and he was a significantly better buy low candidate.

[Chuck]

I was not on Phil Hughes but he seemed to have turned it around after a few bad starts to start the season. He's doing really well now since for the Twins. 

[Hollyw00d]

Phil Hughes needed to get out of that wind tunnel in new York

[Inside Pitch]

I was not on Phil Hughes but he seemed to have turned it around after a few bad starts to start the season. He's doing really well now since for the Twins. 

 

Well, you were all over the "NO to Maholm" ticket -- Win some lose some, plus you like a lot of people were hoping for more than a back end starter if the Angels were going to spend money..  BTW, you notice Wade LeBlanc is pitching like he forgot he is Wade LeBlanc in SLC? 

Edited May 22, 2014 by Inside Pitch

[xboom28x]

Give Hughes time... I expect him to revert to his inconsistency shortly.

[nate]

Never understood why anyone wanted Maholm.

[ScottT]

I don't think anyone wanted to give him a rotation spot.  6th or 7th guy, maybe.  Fortunately, the Angels rotation has been healthy.  

[Spirit]

Thanks Jerry!!!

[Tyler]

I remember people wanted Capuano more than Maholm.

 

Any Cap updates?

[nate]

Cap has been solid as a reliever for Boston.  But yeah I didn't get the lust for either of them.

[Tyler]

I think it was for depth purposes. Considering what they each signed for, not that big of a risk.

[Splint7438]

I am just sorry Mulder didn't work out. Would have been great story. I am loving that Shu doesn't looked scared. Would like to see a few more innings out of a five but I love his results and apparent growth so far.