| Rich Cea. 12th December, 2008 - 9:22 pm
 There are certain players that a team counts on each year to accomplish its preseason goals. These players may be free agent or trade acquisitions, highly rated prospects, or burgeoning stars. We need only look at last year's World Series participants to see how a key addition like Brad Lidge, or a prospect like David Price, can turn the fortunes of a franchise.
Likewise, a team's disappointing season can often be tied to failed campaigns by players for which there were lofty preseason expectations. The following starting pitchers, all of which posted disappointing results last season, need to step up and deliver for their teams in 2009.
Fausto Carmona
2008: After the departure of CC Sabathia, the Indians annointed Fausto Carmona as the new ace of the Indians' staff. After a strong 2007 campaign capped by a near World Series appearance (215.0 IP, 19-8 W-L, 3.06 ERA, 137 K), Carmona had an abysmal, injury-riddled 2008 (120.2 IP, 8-7 W-L, 5.45 ERA, 58 K).
2009 Outlook: Although Cliff Lee stepped up last year to fill the role that had been carved out for Carmona, it will be difficult for Lee to duplicate the strong performance he put forth last season. However, Lee is a great example of a player bouncing back from a disappointing season (the 2008 Cy Young winner was banished to the minors in 2007). The Indians will be counting on Carmona to stay healthy and come back strong. With a contract year looming in the near future, expect a bounce back season for Carmona in 2009.
Erik Bedard
2008: You would be hard pressed to find a team with results more disappointing than those of the Seattle Mariners this past season. After making several off-season acquisitions, headlined by the former Orioles' ace Bedard, the Mariners finished with the worst record in the American League. The lefty Bedard had experienced a strong 2007 campaign (182.0 IP, 13-5 W-L, 3.17 ERA, 221 K), but injuries provided an early exit to his 2008 effort (81.0 IP, 6-4 W-L, 3.67 ERA, 72 K). Bedard's 2008 results were particularly painful for the Mariners because the team had yielded some of their top prospects to acquire him, most notably 5-tool outfielder Adam Jones.
2009 Outlook: Bedard was involved in several trade rumors last year, before shoulder surgery ended his season. It remains to be seen whether he has a role in the future of the organization, but he appears to be on track to make the opening day roster. The Mariners' rotation needs a boost from one of their 2008 acquisitions, and Bedard seems most likely to provide it.
Barry Zito
2008: Baseball wondered if Zito had anything left in the tank after a disappointing 2007 (196.2 IP, 11-13 W-L, 4.35 ERA, 131 K). Unfortunately for the Giants, things only got worse for Zito in 2008 (180.0 IP, 10-17 W-L, 5.15 ERA, 120 K).
2009 Outlook: To be successful in 2009, the Giants need another top pitcher to complement the services of Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum and will look for the high-priced Zito to step up. However, after signing a 7-year, 126 million dollar contract in 2007, the 30-year-old Zito has turned in the first two losing seasons of his career and shows no signs of turning things around.
Phil Hughes
2008: The Yankees believed they had shown restraint in deciding not to trade their top prospects for proven ace Johan Santana in 2008. By allowing him to go to the cross-town rival Mets, the Yankees were trying to break the cycle of expensive starting rotation quick-fixes (such as failures Jose Contreras, Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano, and Jaret Wright) in favor of their young pitching prospects. The leader of this youth movement was expected to be Phil Hughes, who had shown flashes of brilliance, including his relief appearance in Game 3 of the 2007 ALDS. Unfortunately for the Yankees, who missed the post-season for the first time since the strike-shortened 1994 season, his 2008 campaign was disastrous (34.0 IP, 0-4 W-L, 6.62 ERA, 23 K).
2009 Outlook: Last year's failure by the Yankees' young pitchers, including Hughes, has led the Yankees back to their old model of pursuing high-priced free agents. This doesn't mean that the Yankees have given up on Hughes, but they acknowledge that he has been inconsistent and unhealthy the past two seasons. If Hughes can stay healthy, he may be poised for a strong 2009 campaign. However the Yankees' pursuit of high-profile starting pitchers shows that they aren't fully convinced.
Ian Snell
2008: Pirates' fans and fantasy owners alike were hoping that Snell would become a bona-fide ace after his strong 2007 season (208.0 IP, 9-12 W-L, 3.76 ERA, 177 K). As is the case for many young pitchers, matching his impressive stats from the prior year proved to be an elusive goal. Snell's productivity dropped off significantly in 2008 (164.1 IP, 7-12 W-L, 5.42 ERA, 135 K), and the Pirates suffered their 16th-consecutive losing season.
2009 Outlook: For Snell to rebound he must improve his performances away from PNC Park, which were terrible in 2008 (88.1 IP, 4-8 W-L, 6.22 ERA, 79 K). Considering his youth, it's fair to write-off last season as a bump in the road and expect a better performance in 2009. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh fans, even if Snell turns in a quality campaign, the Pirates are likely headed for another losing season. |
