Josh Beckett or Ollie Perez---which would you rather??

[Guttenburg]

How much should I be reading into Perez's first couple starts?

[pomplona's finest]

Not a whole lot, Perez is a bit off the missed time in spring training. I still view him as a young stud who I would trust a lot more than Beckett. Although Beckett has a lot of potential, his blisters and injury woes have keep him from greatness.

[quicksilver8]

If I owned Ollie Perez, I'd be concerned. Before last year, Perez had a poor track record. The difference between last year and years past was the number of hits he gave up...which partly pitcher, part defense and part luck. His walk rate is up and velocity supposedly is down...I do not see anything near a repeat of 2004 for Ollie.

[tmoney]

Oliver Perez is a young guy, 23 years old. There are a lot of expectations for him to be great this year, or even win the Cy Young. He is probably feeling some pressure, and I am thinking that it might just take him some time to adjust to this new role. It is way to early to tag him as a bust this year. Dont forget that last year Santana had a 5.40 ERA in April, 5.79 ERA in May, and a 1-3 record over those 2 months.

[mikegp]

I'd rather have Beckett. He's only 24 and he doesn't have control problems, he plays on a good team, was an uber-prospect coming up through the minors. Perez has horrible control, is on a bad team, and has a body type/mechanics that will most likely result in some kind of arm injury. In my opinion, Perez has about the same chance of being injured as Beckett, but usually arm injuries will hold a pitcher out of action longer than blisters. Plus overall, Beckett is just the better pitcher. In fact, it's not even close. I have no idea why Perez is going before Beckett in leagues, especially keepers.

[nola]

I own both in a keeper league. Yes, I'm happy (own Johan and Burnett too).

I'm not concerned about Perez. He is a young guy who will have some games where his control is poor. But the stuff is still good- he is still getting more than a K per inning.

That being said, I do think he is far more valuable in a keeper league. Can't wait for the day he isn't a Pirate...

[wrveres]

Beckett

[Woolly]

I would not get too concerned about Perez, but I would rather own Beckett. His team will actually give him run support and get wins.

[afromangettindrunk]

i agree with wrveres. beckett, plain and simple.

[jbones733]

easily Beckett, always labeled an amazing prospect, just had bad luck w blisters, showing what he can do now, gotta think hell be healthy & go with him, much better ball club also