The Pitcher's Effect on a Teams' Phyche

Pitchers

As we all sit back and watch Gavin Floyd continue his self implosion, I caught a headline today that not only is Mark Prior not going to make the Cubs rotation, but Kerry Wood is having arm problems again. I started thinking, starting pitchers may only play every fifth day, but they can have a potentially huge effect on the team.

Gavin Floyd dragged down the Phillies for the last several years. It was just his woeful starts in the majors, it was the team longing for what should have been. When a pitcher was struggling, everyone wanted Floyd called up, and wished him the best. But after he kept tormenting us with his inconsistency, we would curse him out, until he showed promise again. The vicious cycle is over. Gavin Floyd was never going to find his niche in Philadelphia, not after the ride he took us on. yet he would probably have remained an outside shot at the rotation every year and a the first guy called from the minors for spot starts. He wouldn't be the worst guy to fill that role, it simply isn't enough from a first round pick.

Mark Prior and Kerry Wood have destroyed the Cubs in similar fashion. You couldn't trade you first born child for either of these guys a few years ago. They came into the majors on blazing fastballs and were supposed to lock down the Cubs rotation for years. Instead, they have the rotation locked up. They come into camp every year with promise, but end up on the DL, leaving the Cubs with more holes to fill. It would literally be better if they just didn't show up in the first place. No one would get their hopes up, therefore eliminating the disappointment and scrambling to find replacements.

On the same token, a true "ace" can do so much more for a team than pitch every fifth day. A guy that proves that he can rise to the occasion and win a big game when he has to or stop a losing streak will also put his team at ease. He may cut the tension that mounts after a few losses, and literally get the team to rally around him just based on the confidence they have in his abilities. The same can be said for a lights out closer. Up by a run or two late in a game, with a shaky bullpen, the hitters will still be pressing to score more runs leading to unproductive atbats. Knowing that the game is all but over makes insurance runs a bonus, not a premium, which ultimately helps the offense relax and puts the pressure on the other teams' pitcher and batters.

Another example can be seen with Eric Gagne. After three straight dominating seasons as LA's closer, Gagne was lost for the year early in 2005. The Dodgers dropped from 1st in their division in 2004 to last in 2005. They rallied in 2006 after losing Gagne again, no doubt more mentally prepared and with a deeper bullpen the second time around. They needed to let him go in order to move on as a team.

What does this all mean? I think getting rid of Floyd will do wonders for the psyche of the team, nearly to the tune of shipping out Abreu. Let the rookies and seasoned guys like Brito provide spot starts and push the incumbent starters. That's what's supposed to happen. But 23/24 year old #1 picks aren't supposed to give you questions, they are supposed to provide answers. Well Gavin, the gig is up. How much longer can Ken Williams feed the media the BS confidence before you find yourself in AAA again with no hopes of getting back to the majors.

Cheaters

Oh, and I HATE Gary Matthews Jr. Can anyone say Brady Anderson? The guy is little better than an average back up his whole career...then in his 30s, he all of the sudden turns into an all star caliber player, doing things his body simply wasn't capable of before? The gig is up on you, too, Gary. After two weeks of self denial, everyone can see through your BS comments. Man up for once, admit you wanted the money and the spotlight, so you cheated. Retire from baseball with the dignity that you were at least honest with yourself. And give the Angels back the outrageously stupid contract they awarded you.