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http://blogs.thescore.com/mlb/2010/12/0 ... thopoulos/

Lots of good insight

AA was on Bob McCown's show this evening. One tidbit that caught my attention is he think Jesse Litsch can replace Shaun Marcum. He pointed out how Litsch's stats previous to last year were like Marcum's last season.

J-Roc wrote:AA was on Bob McCown's show this evening. One tidbit that caught my attention is he think Jesse Litsch can replace Shaun Marcum. He pointed out how Litsch's stats previous to last year were like Marcum's last season.

That says a lot more about what he thinks of Marcum than what he thinks of Litsch. I certainly don't hate Litsch like many but I wouldn't say he can replace Marcum. They may seem similar on the surface, but Litsch relies way too much on his cutter and doesn't have an out pitch like Marcum's changeup. Marcum misses way more bats. Marcum was able to come off TJS strong (the timing helped) so maybe Litsch will too with a full spring training that he didn't get last year.

Paging Mustard...paging Mustard...

The most interesting thing about his interview on the Fan was when he said that he was glad they didnt do a deal for Lawrie last offseason.

My guess is that he thought about trading Cecil for Lowrie.

the most obvious replacement for Marum is Rzep, not that fat **** Litsch. Jessie Litsch is never gonna be a major league quality starting pitcher, its a big question if he ever was even before Tommy John. If Zep can replicate his rookie year for a whole season, he'll already be a better pitcher than Marcum and infinitely better than Litsch. It was only injuries that slowed him down, he was great in september and the stats look great in the AFL, i'm expecting big things from him next year.

Avenger wrote:the most obvious replacement for Marum is Rzep, not that fat **** Litsch. Jessie Litsch is never gonna be a major league quality starting pitcher, its a big question if he ever was even before Tommy John.

Assuming Randle is going to read that above, we might as well change the thread title to 'Jesse Litsch Discussion' now.

if Mustard can honestly intertwine Rogers' cheapness and Litsch being our saviour in one post in this thread, i will buy him a beer

Avenger wrote:the most obvious replacement for Marum is Rzep, not that fat **** Litsch. Jessie Litsch is never gonna be a major league quality starting pitcher, its a big question if he ever was even before Tommy John. If Zep can replicate his rookie year for a whole season, he'll already be a better pitcher than Marcum and infinitely better than Litsch. It was only injuries that slowed him down, he was great in september and the stats look great in the AFL, i'm expecting big things from him next year.

Oh, dude. You are about to get Fangraphed the F*** UP!

Despite what some ridiculous haters might say, Litsch can be a pretty successful pitcher in this league. I have my doubts that he can put up a season like Marcum just did (3.5 WAR), but if he reclaims his 2008 form (2.8 WAR) or anywhere close, he becomes very valuable once again again.

idunno, Moutard...
his stuff's never been killer.
but i admit that i enjoy watching his portly body balance so carefully on the pitcher's mound.

a mound on mound, if you will.

As a back of the rotation starter he's fine, but think he could be more effective as a long reliever.

Litsch was a groundball machine his first two seasons in the league. His problem was injuries, and that while injured he couldn't keep the ball down (in the park).

I should point out that Avenger is completely wrong. Of course he was a major league quality starter. Even if you discount that he uses the defense behind him more that most pitchers and go just by his defense-independent FIP stats, he's still a quality ML starter. A mid-4 FIP in the AL East would also describe AJ Burnett and Javier Vazquez. Litsch also has a 3.83 ERA vs Boston and 3.89 vs Tampa if you're wondering. You're just jealous of that pink, round tub of man who can field his position twice as good as most pitchers.

Hoopstarr wrote:I should point out that Avenger is completely wrong. Of course he was a major league quality starter. Even if you discount that he uses the defense behind him more that most pitchers and go just by his defense-independent FIP stats, he's still a quality ML starter. A mid-4 FIP in the AL East would also describe AJ Burnett and Javier Vazquez. Litsch also has a 3.83 ERA vs Boston and 3.89 vs Tampa if you're wondering. You're just jealous of that pink, round tub of man who can field his position twice as good as most pitchers.

I saw him while eating at Cora's DT one time. Man could he put away some french toast!

It was a really good article - I like Jonah Keri's stuff. Thought the most interesting thing in this interview was if you're not the Yanks or BoSox, pitchers will not sign with you. Wonder if that's why Greinke had Toronto on the no trade list.