On
Halos Heaven, there is a discussion on how many teams Joe Saunders could start for after Keith Law seemingly dissed Joe by calling him "an up and down guy".
So, I've asked myself what rotation spot Joe Saunders would fill if he were on any of the other 29 teams. This represents my opinion, I'm not going to put him ahead of Johan Santana just because he has a better ERA so far, and I'm not going to put him behind pitchers who I don't think are very good just because they are off to good starts either. I think in a full season, Joe is capable of giving you an ERA between 4.00-4.50 in the American League, and eating some innings, and keeping you in most every game.
AL East:
NYY: #3 after Pettite, Wang
BOS: #5
TOR: #3
TB: #3 - easiest decision since 1 and 2 are really good, and 3-5 are horrible.
BAL: #4 after Bedard, Cabrera, Guthrie. Guthrie is close because his track record coming into the season was not as good as Saunders, but he's been really good this year, and had a win against the Angels until Super Vlad faced Chris Ray.
Central:
CLE: #5 - I'm giving Lee and Westbrook, injured and pitching poorly so far, benefit of the doubt. He and Carmona are both good candidates for #5, Sowers back to the minors.
DET: #4
CWS: #5 - Battle with John Danks
KC: #2 after Meche
MIN: #4
West:
SEA: #3 after King and Wash
OAK: #4 possibly ahead of Kennedy, at least #5
TEX: Ace - Their whole rotation has ERA's over 6. Maybe #2 as Millwood when healthy is better than this, and pitching in front of Kinsler and Young would not be good for Saunders' ERA.
NL East:
Mets: #5
Braves: #4
Phils: #4
Marlins: #3 after Willis, Olsen, #4 if you think Mitre is for real
Nats: ACE - Bergmann and Hill are hurt, track record not great for either anyway.
Central:
MIL: #6 - one of the few teams with as much depth as the Angels. Despite his ERA, I think David Bush can pitch, besides they have Gallardo in AAA and he's a better prospect than Saunders, or pretty much anybody else for that matter.
CHC: #5 - Cubs have had several pitchers in that spot, if they had Saunders from day one Marshall, Guzman, and Miller would never have been asked to make starts.
STL: ACE I'd rather have him than Looper. Others have been horrible, Ace until Carpenter comes back.
PIT: #3
HOU: #2, only Oswalt ahead of him
CIN: Probably #3 after Arroyo and Harang. He might be the best of the group. Those two were better in 2006, but this year they are no better than Kyle Lohse. Weak National League. I know Saunders is better than Lohse
West:
Dodgers: #4 after Lowe, Penny , Wolf
SD: #5 I don't know where Germano came from, but Saunders would have had first crack
AZ: Another tough one to crack. Probably #6 here, might have beat out Owings for #5
COL: #3 after Francis and Cook
SF: #6 Another deep rotation.
So besides the Angels, there are 3 rotations he would not be starting in, and at least 3 teams where he would be the ace, at least with current injuries.