Duckworth DFA'ed

by Cleveland on Jan 24, 2008 11:43 PM EST

From the KC Star (buried news):

Royals pitcher Brandon Duckworth was designated for assignment on Wednesday, the corresponding roster move to make room for Brett Tomko.

Duckworth has 10 days to decide but likely will accept the assignment, as choosing free agency would mean walking away from the $600,000 guaranteed major-league contract he signed in December. He will be invited to big-league spring training.

Duckworth, who turned 32 on Wednesday, was 3-5 with a 4.63 ERA in 26 appearances and 46 2/3 innings last year.

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Damn...

I love Tomko and Duckworth...guess I can't have 'em both...UNLESS...spring training gets crazy

Don't be lonesome for your heroes. Be your own hero.

by PhattStairs on Jan 24, 2008 3:13 PM EST reply actions

Tough decision for Ducky

Would you walk away from $600K and an invite to ST? Or take your chances late in the winter with a team that needs pitching?

Duckworth is probably good enough to make a staff but there is no guarantee. He also doesn't have a track record. Just a journeyman looking to catch on as a non roster invitee.

KC's pitching depth allows them to DFA Ducky. Things are changing in for the Royals. 5 years ago this would have happened

by daveyork on Jan 24, 2008 3:18 PM EST reply actions

very tough call

$600,000K might be a lot to risk, but I think Ducky would be better served by trying to earn a big league roster spot, becuase he's not going to get his next payday based on what he does in Omaha

losing 300,000 K this season might earn him more down the road

by Freneau on Jan 24, 2008 4:21 PM EST reply actions

The thing that baffles me

Is that Tomko and duckworth are essentially the same pitcher, yet we're paying one $3.5 million and releasing the cheaper option.

"I'm tired of all these stupid a$$ questions every day. Why the f**k would I hit Brett for Miller?" The rest is history.

by DC Royal on Jan 24, 2008 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

True, statistically...

But Tomko has better stuff. I've seen him pitch (on TV), and he misses bats a lot more than his numbers show. He just doesn't finish off hitters well. Hopefully, good coaching can address that problem, in which case he'll be better than Duckworth.

I agree $3 million is a lot to pay for that uncertain difference, though. If the Royals skimp on the draft in June, I'll be pretty upset about signings like this.

by Melchizedek on Jan 24, 2008 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

Same pitcher?

I don't think there is a good statistical argument that Duckworth and Tomko are the same quality of pitcher. You have to look at more than just 2007. Tomko has been a regular major league starting pitcher for many years, putting up near average or better numbers in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Duckworth has been and continues to be a marginal major leaguer, barely able to make a major league roster and not worthy of anything more than a spot start when he does. So how are they basically the same pitcher?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 24, 2008 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

They may be a lot closer in actual

pitching ability than they were, say, five years ago. However, the point is rendered moot by the fact that Ducky really can't stay healthy long enough to make a good case for being more than the 11th/12th man in the 'pen. This is a good case of "health is a skill."

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jan 25, 2008 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

It may not be Duckworth's decision.

If another team claims him he will have to report or give up that contract. I think there is a reasonable chance he will be claimed.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Jan 24, 2008 5:38 PM EST up reply actions

Keep in mind

that GMDM is on record as saying you need 8-9 starting pitchers, and 10-12 relief pitchers, available for any given season.

Considering that the 40 man roster, problematically, only allows you to carry roughly 20 pitcher, it stands to reason that a prudent GM might try to "stash" some experienced ML pitchers, such as Duckworth, on a minor league contract, just in case.

The reason for this? Well, included in the 40 man, which will usually be 20 pitchers, will be such prospects as Carlos Rosa and Julio Pimental, who are good enough to protect, but most likely not candidates to contribute yet in 2008. So realstically, GMDM may only have 17 or 18 true candidates to pitch in KC this year. Given the tendency for pitchers to get hurt, that may not be enough!

Doing the math, stashing a Duckworth in Omaha is a great move, if he clears waivers. Tomko, on the other hand, would most likely not accept a demotion, and would also most likely be claimed by somebody.

by loyal2s dad on Jan 28, 2008 4:55 PM EST reply actions