When the question is asked, "Who has the Major League's best pitching staff right now?", several teams come to mind right away.
The Yankees: With 220 million dollars wrapped up in hefty left hander CC Sabathia and talented AJ Burnett, along with highly touted free agent pickup Javier Vasquez, it seems on the outside that the Bronx Bombers are heading back to their roots that won them many championships back in the 1990's. Throw young and talented Phil Hughes and crafty veteran Andy Pettitte into the mix to complete the five man staff and you have the most quality arsenal of pitchers in baseball, right? Maybe.
The Red Sox: Another American League East powerhouse, the Red Sox seem to have one of the best, if not THE best, starting five in baseball. Josh Beckett has been the rotation's ace since 2006 and had several Cy Young worthy years in that time period. John Lackey was the offseason's biggest pickup for the team, and looks poised to become possibly the American League's best number two pitcher. Young phenoms Jon Lester and Clay Bucholz round out the 3 and 4 spots. Either of these two could easily be aces on any other major league staffs. Veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is the fifth man on the staff.
But, if you don't have the luxury of spending $200 million, the future of your favorite team's pitching staff hinges on the draft and on the minor leagues. With that in mind, here is who we, at Field of Dreamz, think will have the best rotations heading into 2012, several years down the road:
Cincinnati Reds: Are you kidding me? General Manager Walt Jocketty's club has a real chance at a championship down the line with a rotation anchored by rookie wunderkind Mike Leake along with Aroldis Chapman, and Johnny Cueto. Add in lefty Travis Wood, whose change-up is considered to maybe be the best in the entire farm system. If Wood can up the velocity on his fastball to around 94 mph, he will be a solid #4 starter. The five spot would then be between southpaw Matt Maloney (acquired in the Kyle Lohse trade), current ace Aaron Harang, or the talented but inconsistent J.C. Sulbaran. Don't forget former top prospect Homer Bailey as well as suspended pitcher and former All-Star, Edinson Volquez, who was suspended after a failed drug test.
San Francisco Giants: This is not a real surprise. The Giants sport the two-time reigning Cy Young Winner Tim Lincecum as well as fellow All-Star Matt Cain. Do not sleep on Jonathan Sanchez, the young lefty who threw a stunning no-hitter last season. His walk to strikeout rate averages out at 9.78 K per 9 innings. So, those three would be enough, right? Yes, well General Manager Brian Sabean has five star prospect Madison Bumgarner. This lefty was the 10th pick in 2007 draft, and he has a potent mid-90s fastball along with an improving curveball and changeup. The back end of the rotation would not be so bad, either. Former Cy Young award winner Barry Zito would fight for the job with 2009 first rounder Zach Wheeler. This righty is only 20 years old, but look for him to be a dominant power pitcher down the road.
Tampa Bay Rays: Although their offense will take a hit next year with the possible loss of both Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena to free agency, their rotation of youngsters Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis, David Price along with vets Matt Garza, and James Shields is elite. Right now, Garza, Shields, and Price are all putting up Cy Young contending numbers, with a combined record of 16 and 4. Price, the former number one overall pick in the Amateur Draft from Purdue, looks to be a perennial All-Star for years to come. Also remember that highly touted minor leaguers Jeremy Hellickson, Alex Colome, and Matt Moore could expand Manager Joe Maddon's rotation to possibly 8 pitchers. That rotation does not include former starter Andy Sonnanstine. All I can say is watch out Boston and New York, because the Rays go five deep.
-JS, DR
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