Rank these AL only pitchers for pickup

[Trav The Ump]

Really light in K's, got to fix it before I have to goto drastic measures to fix it. I can freely pickup any of the following for in my mind Braden or Robertson.

Brett Cecil TOR
Justin Masterson CLE
Mitch Talbot CLE
Darren Oliver TEX

[Todd Zola]

Sorry, but I don't see how this fixes a "light in K's" issue. And I don't see how dropping Braden fixes anything.

Braden's peripherals are not outstanding, but they are decent and sustainable. His hit rate is a little lucky, but his HR9 is historically better so that should basically be a wash, suggesting his present numbers are indicative of what to expect from here on out.

Replacing a reliever with a starter obviously helps strikeouts, assuming Roberston is David and not Nate and get to keep his NL stats.

But Talbot only fans guys by accident.

Masterson is interesting as he dominates RHB but gets bludgeoned by LHB. His K9 is great and would obviously help. But he is incendiary to ratios with that walk rate and weakness against LHB. His surface stats are exaggerated due to a bloated BABIP, but even when that corrects, his control is an issue.

Cecil is showing a decent skills growth but we do not know if it is sustainable.

To me, if the object is to improve strikeouts, while neither choice is wonderful (or else they would not be available) Masterson is the riskier, but higher reward choice. His K9 is better and he plays in a better home park.

[Trav The Ump]

Thanks Todd, yes David and not Nate. I've got rzcepzinski coming back too which should help the situation but I think I may have one too many relievers with League, Robertson, Uehara and Soriano all not Matt Thorton-esque. I am really trailing in some K's. At this point I don't think I mind a bit of a gamble in ERA and Whip as that can be fixed later in the season more so than I believe most realize. Looks like Masterson will be joining the squad later today.

[Tampa Bob]

Oh jeepers, Trav, I'm sorry.

I know you said you're heavy on relievers but I think I'd rather go for someone like Bard that gives you 60% of the K's without delivering the ass-whipping to your ratios that Masterson will.

Good luck.

[Trav The Ump]

That would be a good plan TB if any of those types of guys were available. Bard, Thornton et al. are already rostered. I ended up grabbing Cecil and Masterson for Robertson and Jesse Crain. Paid off tonight as Cecil threw a gem. Lol.

[da_big_kid_94]

Really light in K's, got to fix it before I have to goto drastic measures to fix it. I can freely pickup any of the following for in my mind Braden or Robertson.

Bubeleh ..if this is what's in the discount bin, I'd say it's time to execute the drastic measures scenario. Sounds like you have more of a K problem than just one pitcher can fix. And before you get to high on Cecil, remember it's the Tribe he did it against - that barely counts as major league level ball.