Harden or Volquez?

[oddmanout7]

I would go with Volquez. Harden is money when he pitches, but I find it hard to rely on him for innings given his history. Also given that Volquez is half the price, I think he is the choice here.

[tyler2]

I'd take Harden. These middle-tier pitchers are all about upside, and Harden's upside is the best pitcher in the league. Volquez had a nice ERA and K rate, but his WHIP wasn't good, and his K/BB wasn't particularly impressive. He's got control problems. If he gives up even a few more homers, that ERA will jump through the roof. Volquez gave up only 14 homers in a homer-friendly park last year. For reference, the best Reds pitcher the last few years (Harang) gave up between 22 and 28 homers in his good years at the GAB.

Additionally, there's not a big age difference between the two - Volquez will be 25 next year, Harden will be 27. And while I won't argue that Harden's not a bigger injury risk, it's not as if Volquez carries no risk at all - he jumped from 120 to 200 IP over a 2 year period. That's a red flag for a young pitcher in my book. I just don't trust Dusty to take care of him.