Posted: Tuesday December 04, 2001 11:04 AM Updated: Saturday December 22, 2001 8:56 PM
CNNSI.com's John Donovan examines 10 pitchers sure to attract plenty of suitors in the offseason. Click here for a look at the position players.
Career
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
37 43 4.04 581.1 581 261 484 .260
2001
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
12 8 4.33 166.1 172 54 141 .267
Selling points: A good, young setup man turned starter with a fastball that reaches into the upper 90s.
Caveat Emptor: Can he be an effective starter? And with Dreifort-type career numbers, what's the cost?
The Latest: Seattle, among others, is looking at him as a starter.
Career
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
103 96 4.50 1,742.2 1,798 572 1,366 .269
2001
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
8 14 5.09 169.2 181 54 144 .276
Selling points: A good strikeout pitcher who, at 31, probably still has plenty of life left in his arm.
Caveat Emptor: But it's that bad shoulder that limited him to four starts in Houston that is a concern.
The Latest: The Astros bought out his option, but still might take him back at a bargain-basement price.
Career
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
141 119 4.23 2,293.2 2,465 603 1,535 .276
2001
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
12 12 3.04 219.1 187 70 187 .230
Selling points: Third in the NL in ERA, Burkett had one of the lowest hits per nine innings (7.67) mark in the NL in '01.
Caveat Emptor: He's 37 and coming off arguably the best year of his career. Last gasp or lots left?
The Latest: The Boston Red Sox agreed to terms with Burkett on a two-year contract worth $11 million. "We like John Burkett's durability and leadership ability. The last couple of seasons he transformed himself into a complete pitcher," GM Dan Duquette said.
Career
G IP K BB HR SV BS ERA
211 499.1 376 215 42 76 16 4.13
2001
G IP K BB HR SV BS ERA
65 71.1 74 23 5 34 9 2.65
Selling points: A closer who relies on a mid-90s fastball, he's proven himself one of the best in the AL.
Caveat Emptor: But he'll cost you at times. His nine blown saves in '01 tied for most in the major leagues.
The Latest: Isringhausen turned down a more lucrative deal with the Rangers to sign a four-year, $27 million deal with the Cardinals.
Career
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
82 71 4.05 1,348.2 1,162 612 1,432 .231
2001
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
13 10 4.50 198 171 96 220 .231
Selling points: A sometimes overpowering starter, he led the AL in strikeouts per nine innings (10.0), fifth in hits per nine (7.77).
Caveat Emptor: He can be streaky (5-0, 3.00 ERA in July; 2-6, 5.68 ERA after). And few see him as No. 1 material.
The Latest: The Boston Globe reports the Yankees may want him. Nomo's old team, the Dodgers, are also interested in him.
Career
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
80 54 3.80 1,183.2 1,001 560 1,098 3.80
2001
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
15 11 3.50 234 183 91 218 .216
Selling points: A workhorse with electrifying stuff at times, he has never had a losing season in the majors.
Caveat Emptor: The price tag ($14 million-plus). Some wonder whether he has the mettle to be a No. 1.
The Latest: The Rangers grabbed the best arm in the free agent market, agreeing to a five-year, $65 million with Park. He joins a Texas team that had a major league-worst 5.71 ERA.
Career
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
56 54 4.50 949.2 984 405 728 .268
2001
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
13 7 4.07 150.1 138 61 142 .244
Selling points: A hard worker with a good fastball, he was 7-1 with a 3.39 ERA after escaping Pittsburgh.
Caveat Emptor: He's had shoulder problems and may be asking for better than $10 million a year.
The Latest: Giants did bring him back into the fold, signing him to a four-year, $31 million contract.
Career
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
107 68 4.33 1,466.1 1,580 548 1,082 .275
2001
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
15 5 3.60 215 216 51 114 .261
Selling points: A solid middle-rotation guy who has won 19, 18, 17 and 15 games the past four years.
Caveat Emptor: Four straight 200-plus inning seasons and past injury problems put up a red flag.
The Latest: The Mariners have no intention of re-signing him.
Career
G IP K BB HR SV BS ERA
633 848 545 234 91 203 51 3.54
2001
G IP K BB HR SV BS ERA
77 74.2 58 18 10 43 9 3.62
Selling points: Top 10 in saves since '97 (second in '01), he can dominate with fastball, split-finger.
Caveat Emptor: He's given thought to retirement, he'll be 36 in July and he wants to work near his Ohio home.
The Latest: The Reds, Shaw's old team, is interested in bringing him back.
Career
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
160 116 3.35 2,473.1 2,145 784 2,155 .233
2001
W L ERA IP H BB K Avg.
3 3 3.36 59 53 10 57 .238
Selling points: Good heater, just one blown save in 11 tries with a 1.59 ERA as Braves' new closer in '01.
Caveat Emptor: Missed '00 after elbow surgery, said he wanted to be a starter again.
The Latest: Braves win, signing him to three-year, $30 million deal.
Photos: Adams (Jeff Gross/Allsport), Astacio (AP), Burkett (Chris Stanfrod/Allsport), Isringhausen (Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport), Nomo (Ezra Shaw/Allsport), Park (Jeff Gross/Allsport), Schmidt (Harry How/Allsport), Sele (Danny Moloshok), Shaw (Harry How/Allsport), Smoltz (Brian Bahr/Allsport).
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