How long do you give a pitcher? (1 Viewer)

[weisguy0831]

I've owned Jeff Francis for two-plus seasons and I'm thinking the time is coming to cut him loose.

He's had 3 bad starts (4 if you count the opener that was rained out). He gets to pitch at Petco next time out, so he gets at least 1 more start for me. I've always been rash with these decisions in the past so I'm trying to exercise some patience.

How long do you wait for a guy in a similar situation?

 

[MAC_32]

Entirely depends on the pitcher and the reasons why they're struggling, in Francis' case I never would have drafted him. I do not think he is roster worthy in a standard 12 teamer or less.

If we're talking a CC or Oswalt type their leash is extended deep into May.

If we're talking a popular semi-sleeper in the mold of Bonderman, McGowan, Good Weaver, etc. the trigger finger is a little more itchy, like late April.

Good pitchers have bad outings, good pitchers can have a string of bad outings. If their velocity is down, their control is off, or they are having problems making pitches they normally do I become especially concerned and tend to make quicker decisions rather than waiting it out.

 

[pantagrapher]

Entirely depends on the pitcher and the reasons why they're struggling, in Francis' case I never would have drafted him. I do not think he is roster worthy in a standard 12 teamer or less.

If we're talking a CC or Oswalt type their leash is extended deep into May.

If we're talking a popular semi-sleeper in the mold of Bonderman, McGowan, Good Weaver, etc. the trigger finger is a little more itchy, like late April.

Good pitchers have bad outings, good pitchers can have a string of bad outings. If their velocity is down, their control is off, or they are having problems making pitches they normally do I become especially concerned and tend to make quicker decisions rather than waiting it out.

I'm in a 14-teamer and he's on the wire. There's not really anything to wait for with Francis. He doesn't have a whole lot of potential to do much more than he's doing.

 

[Wrigley]

Very good points

I go out of my way NOT to draft any COL pitchers(You are only asking for trouble if you do.)

 

[Buckfast]

Entirely depends on the pitcher and the reasons why they're struggling, in Francis' case I never would have drafted him. I do not think he is roster worthy in a standard 12 teamer or less.



If we're talking a CC or Oswalt type their leash is extended deep into May.

If we're talking a popular semi-sleeper in the mold of Bonderman, McGowan, Good Weaver, etc. the trigger finger is a little more itchy, like late April.

Good pitchers have bad outings, good pitchers can have a string of bad outings. If their velocity is down, their control is off, or they are having problems making pitches they normally do I become especially concerned and tend to make quicker decisions rather than waiting it out.

I'm pretty sure that CC's leash is longer than late May.

 

[eagles2007]

wow. i want some of you in my leagues.

i guess i should have mentioned, its nl-only.

FWIW, Francis was 17-9 with a 4.22 ERA last year and 13-11 with a 4.16 ERA two years ago. I mean, not a lot of pitchers can match those numbers from last year and two years ago was pretty damn solid too.

Just because he pitches in Colorado doesn't make him unownable. I would argue that its no worse than Philly at this point.

 

[Wrigley]

wow. i want some of you in my leagues.

i guess i should have mentioned, its nl-only.

FWIW, Francis was 17-9 with a 4.22 ERA last year and 13-11 with a 4.16 ERA two years ago. I mean, not a lot of pitchers can match those numbers from last year and two years ago was pretty damn solid too.

Just because he pitches in Colorado doesn't make him unownable. I would argue that its no worse than Philly at this point.

This is a huge point.He is however unownable(at least for me) in mixed league play.

The wins are nice, but low K rate added with high ERA/WHIP won't help your team much

 

[MAC_32]

wow. i want some of you in my leagues.

i guess i should have mentioned, its nl-only.

FWIW, Francis was 17-9 with a 4.22 ERA last year and 13-11 with a 4.16 ERA two years ago. I mean, not a lot of pitchers can match those numbers from last year and two years ago was pretty damn solid too.

Just because he pitches in Colorado doesn't make him unownable. I would argue that its no worse than Philly at this point.

This is a huge point.He is however unownable(at least for me) in mixed league play.

The wins are nice, but low K rate added with high ERA/WHIP won't help your team much

Agreed on all accounts. Guys with low K rates rarely find their way onto my teams, guys with avg ERA's and poor WHIP's go on the do not draft list. If I am in a league without IP limits I'd rather stream below avg starters with higher K rates and look for hot streaks and good matchups. If I'm in a league with IP limits low K rate guys like Francis can kill a team.

 

[shadyridr]

I think you should wait as long as it takes you to pay off your debts.

 

[weisguy0831]

in years past, i would have panicked. but having had him for 2 full seasons, i stuck with him and was rewarded thursday.

now i hope he keeps it up.