TwitterWerth and Duchscherer
9 Nov 2010
Word is out that the Red Sox are interested in both Just Duchscherer (WEEI) and Jayson Werth (multiple outlets).
Duchscherer would be a low risk investment coming of yet another injury filled season. When healthy, he is a very effective pitcher having posted a career 3.13 ERA (139 ERA+). But he isn’t healthy often enough to be consider a reliable option. He missed all of 2009 and only managed 28 innings in 2010.
He is probably looking for a fresh start and I’m fairly confident the Red Sox (and several other teams) could have him for low-risk money. I think he’d be worth a shot to either compete for the 5th starting spot or a bullpen spot (he has experience starting and relieving).
As for Werth, his vitals remind me of Jason Bay (to quote Bob Lobel, “why can’t we get players like that?”). He has a decent OBP and SLG. He really broke out in the past 3 seasons and at age 31 he has reached his limit, but his limit isn’t anything to sneeze at. I’m not sure what his hit chart looks like, but perhaps Fenway would be good for him…or not.
Werth will probably command a bit less than will Carl Crawford so that might be the reason the Red Sox are focusing on him. Scott Boras represents Werth, so I really hope the Red Sox don’t go and spend like they did on JD Drew. I don’t care how you slice it, JD Drew isn’t and hasn’t been worth $14mm a year.
Nov 10, 2010 @ 10:52:37
Duchscherer, when healthy, is a top flight reliever. Attempts to make him a starter have failed, but he has terrific stuff. Instead of overpaying for 30-something starters, The Yankees and Red Sox should stock-pile projects like Duchscherer and Bedard.
The odds are that one of these guys will work out. Colby Lewis, Cliff Lee, Ron Guidry, Mike Cuellar, and Sandy Koufax were all, at one point in their careers, projects. Why not try to get these guys cheap when they are in a downpoint in their careers?
As for outfielders, The Yanks and Red Sox will focus their bidding on the younger and more athletic Crawford. But Werth is the better hitter, and the kind of clutch hitter who wins championships.
Nov 10, 2010 @ 11:10:22
Corey, Duchscherer has been an effective starter too when healthy. Not sure if the rigors of starting caused his injuries or if he’d have been injured as a reliever too.
I see him as a reliever as it would seem to be a less demanding role.
Werth is a pretty good defender too, but his age is a negative. He’ll be 32 next year. He has had injuries but has been healthy of late. Because of his injuries, he doesn’t have a ton of miles on his body.
Nov 12, 2010 @ 08:55:30
I’d like to see them go after both Crawford and Werth, put Ellsbury in the middle. Use Drew to provide all of them time off rotating a 4 man outfield. Cameron is odd man out but oh well. Drew and Cameron both come off the books after 2011, sets you up for the next few years in the outfield.
Might free up Nova and McDonald as additional pieces to include in packages to get a 1b/3b option to pair with Youk.