No matter the circumstances, the most essential position in baseball is the pitcher. Nowhere is that more true than in Major League Baseball, where the world’s best hitters reside.
In MLB, the difference between a shutout and getting pulled in the first inning is razor thin. If a manager has only one good pitcher in a five-man rotation, he’s already in good shape. That’s why so many teams covet elite starting pitchers more than other players.
Three of the league’s best pitchers have been in the headlines since the Jan. 19 arbitration deadline, when teams could begin extending offers to eligible players.
The first signee was right-hander Felix Hernandez. Hernandez inked a five-year, $78 million contract, which features a yearly bonus that balloons to $20 million bonus in 2014. “King Felix,” 23, is coming off a 19-5 season in which he posted a 2.49 ERA and 217 strikeouts in 238 innings (34 starts).
The Detroit Tigers began negotiating with right-handed ace Justin Verlander shortly thereafter. Talks started at five years, $75 million — similar to Hernandez’s deal. On Feb. 3, Verlander and the Tigers agreed to terms on a five-year, $80 million dollar contract that includes a $20 million bonus for the final three seasons.
Verlander dominated American League hitters last year, going 19-9 with a 3.45 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 240 innings (35 starts). Verlander has won at least 15 games in three of his four full seasons in MLB.
Finally, there’s right-hander Tim Lincecum. He’s been the boldest of the three, so it’s no surprise that he has yet to settle with the San Francisco Giants.
Lincecum has been pushing to receive a record $13 million in arbitration. The Giants have offered $8 million. Both sides appear to want a short-term agreement.
Lincecum’s been hedging toward settling, but a pitcher of his pedigree might actually win arbitration. The 25-year-old right-hander has won two Cy Young Awards, two strikeout titles and 40 games in less than two full seasons.
Teams contemplating contracts of this magnitude need to closely analyze the situation. Regardless of how young and talented a pitcher is, there’s always the risk of injury, especially with the elbow or shoulder. A torn rotator cuff injury could crop up at any time, creating a huge hole in a team’s rotation.
Plus, pitchers sometimes just lose their touch. Pitchers who rely on power more than movement are risky propositions. A pitcher can be throwing 95 mph and suddenly and unexpectedly lose that velocity.
However, if any pitchers are worth the gamble, its Hernandez, Verlander and Lincecum. All three mix up their heat with excellent secondary pitches, and they’ve already established themselves in their mid-20’s.
If the Giants fail to give Lincecum a long-term deal, they would rightly be taken to the woodshed by media and fans. On the other hand, they would be justified in deciding that the risks outweigh the potential benefits.
In the end, it is the organization’s final decision to make. After all, baseball’s can be a business too.
