FBC Community Top 20 Ranking - SP #18 Cliff Lee

[bigh0rt]

Cliff Lee is arguably a top 10 SP. No doubt he is choice here. I could maybe understand someone voting for Gallardo though as he has the most upside of the group.

Rich Harden's upside says hi.

and then tweaks a muscle and hits the DL.

I was talking strictly upside. As I said, the answer here is Lester followed almost immediately by Greinke.

[auclairkeithbc]

I guess you could consider either Harden or Gallardo as the higher upside guy. The health upside or the breakout upside. As far a reasonable upside goes, I'd take Gallardo over Harden, but if i knew they would both pitch as well as they possibly could and both get 35 starts, I'd take Harden (over Lincecum/Santana/Sabathia/whoever).

My pick here is Cliff Lee just like last time. Greinke seems to be getting a lot of early votes, but I'd take several guys from this list over him. Is anyone really predicting him to even match last years totals in any category? (Obviously no one is predicting Cliff Lee to match any of his totals either, but he can drop off a ton and still be an easy top 10 SP).

[horatio]

Yeah I would definitely roll the dice on Cliff Lee before any of these other guys.

[KHI]

Where's Ricky Nolasco?

Better numbers than Shields, did it for 1 year like E. Santana.

[BitterDodgerFan]

finally some love for the cy young. although i'm being cautious...keeps reminding me of esteban loaiza...

[Inukchuk]

Greinke, although if faced with the choice, I might go Gallardo. I love him...

[kentx12]

I went with Greinke with Harden a close 2nd.

[Omaha Red Sox]

Went Lester here. Probably the best BOS pitcher last season.

[Bloody Sox]

I don't really see the argument for Greinke over Lester... Lester was better and more consistent last year, and while Greinke will get you a few more Ks, Lester will likely make up for that with more wins (given the better lineup and bullpen). Both had big IP jumps last year, so Lester is no more risky in terms of injury IMO either. Just curious why a lot of you think Greinke is better.

[J35J]

I don't really see the argument for Greinke over Lester... Lester was better and more consistent last year, and while Greinke will get you a few more Ks, Lester will likely make up for that with more wins (given the better lineup and bullpen). Both had big IP jumps last year, so Lester is no more risky in terms of injury IMO either. Just curious why a lot of you think Greinke is better.

To me, Lester was only slightly above avg until he gained the few mph on all his pitches he did last year. I want to see if he maintains that along with his control. I feel I know what Greinke can do and what he is capable of and I'm not completely sure what Lester is at the moment....though he isn't far behind.