Kip Wells

[Mercer Boy]

i've got him down for

200 IP
15 W
3.50 ERA
1.25 WHIP
160 K

which puts him in the top 50 SPs easily. 'course, this is assuming he's healthy, etc.

If he does that...I'll probably need some Depends.

I suppose these numbers aren't too far off from '02 and '03 though...which is a good, good thing. The wins total will probably be high, but who knows - maybe the Pirates will decide to score more this year. I doubt it, but we can hope. I'm going to guess that WHIP will be higher as well. Judging by the IP he had back then 200 isn't a bad guess. We just have to hope he isn't the other guy who needs a Tommy John this year...seems like we get one or two every year, and Van Benschoten already had one.

And best of all - he doesn't have to worry about being the "ace" this year. That could have played a part in what he did last year as well. I think that can have a big impact on your game. I know it doesn't stay that way for long, but he won't have to face as many staff aces this year most likely because he'll be the #2 starter. It seemed like he pitched against Sheets and Oswalt every time we played them.

[George_Foreman]

yeah. that's actually one reason i don't think 15 wins is too outlandish. as you mentioned, he had an absurd number of NDs in 2003, and you've got to figure that at least of few of them would turn in to wins if he's facing #2 pitchers instead of #1s.

his WHIP might climb a little (i mean, it was a victor zambrano-like 1.50 last year), but i definitely think he's worth the risk.

[LBJackal]

Pay for a 4.10 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 12 wins, and anything over that is gravy. He's not as good as most people think. He had a great deal of luck in 2002 and 2003 so don't go thinking that he'll repeat that any time soon.