JAN
22
Wallowing in Agony - 2007 Season in Review Part II
Posted January 22nd ago via Bugs and Cranks
The following is a portion of the full post
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As promised, it is now time for more critiquing of players, though these should be decidedly less harsh considering how much better San Diego's pitching was than their hitting last season… and well, pretty much every season. Now, like we always do about this time.

STARTING PITCHERS

Jake Peavy (19-6, 2.54 ERA, 240 Ks)

The National League's best pitcher in 2007, bar none, Peavy rightfully ran away with the Cy Young Award and cashed in with a three-year extension worth north of $50 million. It was nice to see the Pads actually pay someone as opposed to their usual strategy of dishing out one-year contracts to a bunch of over-the-hill retreads. Peavy should be the anchor of the staff through the duration of his contract, and his amazing season shouldn't be tarnished by his poor performance against the Rockies in Game No. 163. Grade: A+

Greg Maddux (14-11, 4.14 ERA, 104 Ks)

The cagey veteran fit into San Diego's one-year contract structure I alluded to above, but he showed he is anything but over-the-hill last season by serving as San Diego's second-most reliable starter. I don't think there is any question that his arrival and Peavy's leap from good pitcher to dominant ace weren't coincidental. Having Maddux on the team is like having an extra pitching coach, except this one can still win you more than a dozen games a year and enjoys giving rookies golden showers. Grade: A-

Chris Young (9-8, 3.12 ERA, 167 Ks)

Young had a tough year in 2007 as injuries limited him to 30 starts. Plus, he was absolutely dreadful in September (0-3, 6.27 ERA) when the Padres allowed the Rockies to catch them. In fact, he only won one game following the Midsummer Classic. Despite his struggl...

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