He is a good guy but he is washed up. He has one job, to get lefties out and he can't even do that. He has only retired 4 of 8 lefties he has faced. I can't believe I would say this but Mike Gallo is better than him. Now I know why Mets fans were happy to see him go.
Astros signed Tom Martin to minor league contract today, he pitched great for us in 1997 but he also is washed up.
Hmm. 34, a lefty, sub-4.00 era the last two years, he can't be any worse than Franco. An extra lefty in the pen can't hurt either way.
Let's take the over-the-hill lefty solution one step further. Anyone have Joe Sambito's phone number?
I really don't see how a decent right hander could do worse than a bad lefty. It's not like any left handed batter in the league has hit over .400 for generations. Just put your best available pitcher against the hitter. Why do teams insist on having left handed specialists even if they suck? It must be nice to be a lefty that stinks but can throw over 90mph with an era over 5.00 and still make millions over the course of their career, wheras a righty would never make it out of spring training.
You don't want a pitcher who sucks, but a lefty pitcher has a definite advantage pitching to a lefty hitter. It's harder to pick up the ball and harder to determine the spin coming from a lefty. In a close game, gaining a platoon advantage can be critical. Some hitters have small platoon splits, some (like Chipper early in his career) can't handle lefties at all. Just having the lefty available can force an opposing manager's hand, such as being unable to bring in his best pinch hitter, etc. Lefties also control the running game better, because they're looking at first instead of third, which can be critical in the small-ball context of a late inning game. John Franco is old, but he's lasted for years because he's still effective getting out lefties. It's a nice job if you can get it.
With this guy, you gotta look past the numbers. Ignore the 3.60 WHIP. Ignore the fact that he comes into games to face lefties, but ends up leaving after surrending a hit to the one guy he is supposed to get out. Overlook all of that. Lets look at the real numbers... 1) 1.2 IP and 2 K's What does this tell us? 11 K's per 9 innings pitched, thats what it tells us. Thats better than Randy Johnson. Better than Roy Oswalt, his own teammate. You get the point, his strikeout per inning ratio is off the hook. 2) 1.2 IP and 2 Holds Amazing. He doesnt even need a full inning to capture a hold. He can do it in less time, like in 5/6 of an inning. Tom Gordon who? 3) Intangibles The guy is going to turn 45 before the season is over. You have to have confidence, resilience, determination, etc... to be able to go on that long without quiting. He doesnt give up, keeps fighting. Gotta reward him for his inability to let go and move on. Okay, nevermind. He sucks monkey balls.
I understand all this and your totally correct. But if you've got righties that get lefties out better than your lefty specialist, you use the right handed pitcher or get a better lefty.
And I completely agree with that. But this is a John Franco thread, and Franco limited lefties to a .173 batting average last year. If the lefty can't even get other lefties out, then he's got to go.
I know we could get someone is a trade (where are you Hunsicker?) but the way it is going and the way Gallo is getting rocked at roundrock, I would not mind have Carlos Hernadez as my lefty off the bully plus long relief duties. It has be said that his arm may not be suited for that but how bad can it really be? IIRC Carlos can get lefties out consistently. Right now Franco, a great guy nonetheless, is occupying unnecessary space on our roster.
Actually, Carlos did better against righties than lefties for whatever reason. Lefties hit .280 against Carlos.
Kevin Duck is the A-Hole that needs to go. He sucks it, hard. We go nowhere with that bozo in the rotation. FACT!
The Astros did a terrible job of rebuilding the bullpen since last season. I can't believe we even picked up Franco to begin with. I was in shock and dismayed. He's past his prime and everyone knows it.
