Pictured above is one of several pie charts Jeff Zimmerman posted today over at Beyond the Box Score.
Now, the chart certainly isn’t perfect, as there are a number of relevant contextual factors that simply go unstated (e.g., the number of pitchers versus the number of hitters, etc.), but central to the illustration is the dilemma posed when teams pay big dollars for pitching, whether it be for starters or relievers. Pitchers, in general, are seemingly more susceptible to injury, a point that is captured above. Consequently, homegrown, cost-controlled arms are that much more valuable. Hopefully the Yankees will remember this next season, when they will likely be left with two gaping holes in their rotation. Inserting Joba Chamberlain would be an economically efficient way to address this issue, especially if the Yankees also decide to chase after Cliff Lee (spending on one is better than spending on two).
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
4 Responses to Why paying for pitching isn't ideal
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
“Inserting Joba Chamberlain would be an economically efficient way to address this issue, ”
yes it would be economically efficient and joba has to pitch well this yr. Hopefully he can rediscover who he is with some help from his coaches
Um, pitchers make up 12 of 25 players on most teams, but unlike the position players they are all lumped together. If this was simply divided pitcher/non-pitcher, you get a more fair breakdown, and see it roughly 50-50, which is in line with the team’s composition. Yes, it is skewed a little towards pitchers, but not drastically.
It would also be helpful if, instead of just counting WHO went on the DL, they also added HOW LONG they were there. 1 DL trip for a stubbed toe should not be equal to season ending TJ surgery.
On the article is has days and pitchers are around 55% of days.
OK, so that fits the pie chart. Pitchers are a little under half the roster, and account for a little more than half the loss due to injury (both in men and time). This implies pitching is a slightly greater risk, but I’m not sure any greater than being a right fielder.