Another arm option: The Duke
Written by Mike Mariano   
Monday, 30 November 2009 09:15

I've talked about starting and relief pitching options this season in past posts but today we're talking about one name I missed.  Justin "The Duke" Duchscherer.  Bleacher Report talks about "The Duke" and his potential fit in Philly and I'm on board with the thought.

Duchscherer's profile is strange one, but that makes him a viable candidate.  From '03 to '07, he was a capable reliever in Oakland with some WHIPs around one.  Then in '08, Duchscherer worked as a starting pitcher putting together a great season over 22 starts.  10-8 record, 2.54 ERA, .995 WHIP.

As you probably noticed, there's nothing strange about that.  The complexity comes from the fact that he didn't throw a major league pitch in 2009.  Duchscherer has struggled with hip and elbow issues off and on throughout his career and had surgery for both injuries in early '09.  Then despite returning to health, he didn't return to the mound.  A battle with anxiety and depression sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

So yes, I'm on board with the signing of an injury-prone depressed guy who hasn't pitched in a year.  That is part of the reason he's a good option, he'll be cheap and with that, low risk.  Other points in favor of "The Duke's" are the fact that he's righty and he'd be coming from the AL to the NL, always good.

Where Ruben stands in this matter, I can't say, but should he target Justin I think the team will benefit from it greatly.



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written by Brian Quinn, November 30, 2009
High upside with little risk. I'd do it.

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