Would you rather employ Stroman, Tanaka, Porcello, Archer or Cobb?

[TwistedLogic]

Earlier today, I was wondering if Stroman might actually have a claim to being the best starting pitcher in the AL East, and so I thought I'd get some opinions because I feel like it can be a very interesting discussion. The two guys that were head and shoulders above everybody else in the division, Lester (6.1) and Price (6.1), are both gone. The tier below, however, was absolutely packed with several guys very close together, without anyone really separating themselves from the rest of the pack.

 

With Lackey (2.8) gone, Kuroda (3.5) returning to Japan, and Buehrle (3.5) almost guaranteed to regress, the five best names to follow were Stroman, Tanaka, Archer, Porcello and Cobb.

 

Here's how the numbers break down (all stats from FanGraphs):

 

2014 WAR

3.3 - Marcus Stroman

3.2 - Masahiro Tanaka

3.1 - Chris Archer

3.1 - Rick Porcello

2.7 - Alex Cobb

 

2014 RA9-WAR

4.0 - Alex Cobb

3.7 - Masahiro Tanaka

3.3 - Rick Porcello

2.7 - Marcus Stroman

2.4 - Chris Archer

 

2015 Steamer WAR

3.3 - Masahiro Tanaka

3.3 - Marcus Stroman

3.1 - Rick Porcello

2.9 - Alex Cobb

1.8 - Chris Archer

 

2015 Steamer RA9-WAR

3.5 - Masahiro Tanaka

2.7 - Marcus Stroman

2.7 - Alex Cobb

2.2 - Rick Porcello

1.5 - Chris Archer

 

2015 Steamer600 WAR

3.4 - Masahiro Tanaka

3.4 - Marcus Stroman

3.2 - Rick Porcello

3.0 - Alex Cobb

2.0 - Chris Archer

 

Taking everything into account (stats, scouting, stadium, salary, service time, Steamer and stints on the DL), who is your favorite starting pitcher going forward in the AL East?

[Angrioter]

Tany

[Jimcanuck]

Stroman because of his battery mate

[Deadpool]

Stroman, because Blue Jays, duh! (Also, that little f***er is pretty good!)

[GD]

Taking everything into account (stats, scouting, stadium, salary, service time, Steamer and stints on the DL), who is your favorite starting pitcher going forward in the AL East?

 

In this case, Stroman, Tanaka/Cobb, Porcello, Archer. Tanaka's TJS/massive contract kinda weigh him down even though he's the best pitcher of the group. Stroman's youngest and got the most years of control while being probably around 2nd/3rd best. Porcello is expiring. Cobb is good but not outstanding. Archer is meh, never got the big deal with him.

[flafson]

Stroman cause he's much more fun.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Stroman, none of the others know how to blow bubbles! Style points count!

[closetjaysfan]

I like stroman, but I think he is an arm injury waiting to happen. So is Tanaka if he isn't broken already. Leaves me with a coin toss for Archer and Cobb... it came up tails.

[jaysfan2014]

Stroman. Tanaka is an injury away from Tommy John surgery, Rick Porcello will likely regress in Boston, and the Rays pitchers will depend on the roster by the season's start.

[jaysblue]

I think Stroman can be a 20-game winner with Russell Martin behind the plate. So my vote goes to Stroman.

[Cyris]

In this case, Stroman, Tanaka/Cobb, Porcello, Archer. Tanaka's TJS/massive contract kinda weigh him down even though he's the best pitcher of the group. Stroman's youngest and got the most years of control while being probably around 2nd/3rd best. Porcello is expiring. Cobb is good but not outstanding. Archer is meh, never got the big deal with him.

 

Masahiro Tanaka never actually had Tommy John surgery. Which might be just as scary as if he did.

[TwistedLogic]

Including salary it's Stroman. Tanaka is likely the better pitcher though.

 

If they made the same amount of money though, would you take Tanaka over Stroman? I'm not positive that I would; he's three years older and has some serious injury concerns. I'd be a lot more comfortable if he had just gotten the surgery over with.

[Atothe]

doesn't tanaka still have that bum elbow?

[Atothe]

If they made the same amount of money though, would you take Tanaka over Stroman? I'm not positive that I would; he's three years older and has some serious injury concerns. I'd be a lot more comfortable if he had just gotten the surgery over with.

 

Is it for next year only or for the next three years?

Edited December 27, 2014 by Atothe

[Gorlak]

Stroman because of control, health, and cost.

[reedjohnsonfan]

If you're talking same salary... Tanaka and it's not even close. Even at the cost/injury concerns probably still Tanaka. I don't even know why Porcello is being considered for the best pitcher in the AL East here.

[Boxcar]

If they made the same amount of money though, would you take Tanaka over Stroman? I'm not positive that I would; he's three years older and has some serious injury concerns. I'd be a lot more comfortable if he had just gotten the surgery over with.

 

Every pitcher is an injury concern. Same salary, Tanaka because he is a better pitcher and I'm not a homer.

[TwistedLogic]

Is it for next year only or for the next three years?

 

For the entirety of their contracts. If you were the GM of a franchise that is looking at perennial contention and you had your pick of five starting pitchers listed.

 

 

If you're talking same salary... Tanaka and it's not even close. Even at the cost/injury concerns probably still Tanaka. I don't even know why Porcello is being considered for the best pitcher in the AL East here.

 

I thought strongly about leaving Porcello and Archer off the list because I didn't think anyone would vote for them, but decided to leave them up because they were close enough to the rest of the bunch last year.

 

 

Every pitcher is an injury concern. Same salary, Tanaka because he is a better pitcher and I'm not a homer.

 

Sure, that's true. But I just feel more wary of a guy that had a strong possibility of TJS and didn't even go through with the surgery.

 

Tanaka and Stroman were equally valuable in the same amount of innings last year, and one is three years younger and didn't just flirt with a serious pitching injury.

[Gorlak]

Every pitcher is an injury concern. Same salary, Tanaka because he is a better pitcher and I'm not a homer.

 

Or you're a contrarian, Tanaka has a very real chance of pitching less than 50 innings.

[Deadpool]

The big story in here is that Chris Archer got 3 votes. I'd love to hear from those voters as to what their reasoning was...

[Atothe]

Or you're a contrarian, Tanaka has a very real chance of pitching less than 50 innings.

 

Once again I don't believe one can rehab a torn ucl

[Hipfan]

I'd pick Tanaka if not for his elbow. He's bound for Tommy John at some point, probably in the near future. Not being a homer here, but I think Stroman might be be the best pick.

[wamco]

Or you're a contrarian, Tanaka has a very real chance of pitching less than 50 innings.

 

 

Let's hope. I'd also hope CC pitches 200 ip because his era will be close to 5 if he does.

[Nox]

Let's hope. I'd also hope CC pitches 200 ip because his era will be close to 5 if he does.

 

Don't be such a raging homer.

 

Sabathia isn't an ace anymore but he's still a league average starter.

[Jimcanuck]

Don't be such a raging homer.

 

Sabathia isn't an ace anymore but he's still a league average starter.

 

Or he could be done the Halladay way

[Nox]

Or he could be done the Halladay way

 

It's possible, but it's unlikely he'll pitch 200 inning in such a case.

[gbill2004]

Tanaka will be headed for TJS within the first month of this upcoming season.

[Spanky99]

Taking everything into account (stats, scouting, stadium, salary, service time, Steamer and stints on the DL), who is your favorite starting pitcher going forward in the AL East?

 

While having said this, it's easily Stroman. The Yanks should've had him(Tanaka) undergo surgery the minute they found out about the partial tear. He's going to need it sooner or later. He'd have been back after the all-star break. I believe it's up to the player IIRC, Dr. Andrews gave him clearance to rehab it so we'll see how that plays out.

[Spanky99]

If you're talking same salary... Tanaka and it's not even close. Even at the cost/injury concerns probably still Tanaka. I don't even know why Porcello is being considered for the best pitcher in the AL East here.

 

Who's better than Porcello on the Bosox, Miley?

 

lol @ even at the cost/injury concerns, I understand all pitchers are a risk, but Tanaka "DOES" have a tear in his UCL, it's only going to get worse. Tanaka's the better pitcher right now, but that's a huge red flag, meat.

[Spanky99]

Every pitcher is an injury concern. Same salary, Tanaka because he is a better pitcher and I'm not a homer.

 

Same money and health, Tanaka all day, but same money and a UCL tear, Stroman all day, because that injury is a massive deterrent, and I'm not a homer...