best pitcher in baseball...

[Hobbes 1]

Santana is the best. Here are some other names I'd throw out for recognition...Roy OswaltChris CarpenterRoy HalladayPedro MartinezJake PeavyTim HudsonCarlos Zambrano

[milestodavid 0]

This is a tough one, but we have to look at consistency when it somes to a topic like this. So if he is coming back next year, Roger Clemens. If he is not back next year then it would be Santana. Best inconsistent pitcher would have to be Josh Beckett. Have you seen that curve bend? It's a 12 to -6 curve ball, purely disgusting.

[mk 11]

I don't think Mark Buerhle is better than Santana at all, but he deserves a mention in this thread. Dude is rock solid.

We'll mention him when we create a "7th best pitcher in baseball thread." Seriously though, he's pretty good.

Meh. Best pitcher on the best staff in baseball. (National League teams don't count because they get a free out every 9th batter.)

[MapleLeafs 142]

Now: Johan Santana. It really bugged the shit out of me when the Twins were using him as a spot starter 2 years ago when one of their regulars were hurt. It was obvious he was the best pitcher on that staff and now everyone knows he's the best in baseball.In 5 years: possibly Mark Prior if he can ever get his arm healthy, Felix Hernandez is a lock to win Cy Youngs for the next 15 years, Francisco Liriano in Minnesota is gonna team up with Santana and make that staff truly scary, Jered Weaver on the Angels has Prior like stuff, Verlander on the Tigers could be one to watch.

[Hobbes 1]

Now: Johan Santana. It really bugged the censored out of me when the Twins were using him as a spot starter 2 years ago when one of their regulars were hurt. It was obvious he was the best pitcher on that staff and now everyone knows he's the best in baseball.In 5 years: possibly Mark Prior if he can ever get his arm healthy, Felix Hernandez is a lock to win Cy Youngs for the next 15 years, Francisco Liriano in Minnesota is gonna team up with Santana and make that staff truly scary, Jered Weaver on the Angels has Prior like stuff, Verlander on the Tigers could be one to watch.

King Felix if the Mariners can find a way to keep him healthy and their track record suggests otherwise. Mark Prior has had more fluke injuries than regular pitcher injuries, so that may actually be a long-term benefit because it has kept Dusty's arm-killing strategy away from him. Agree with Liriano too, he could be a great one.

[Longshanks 0]

Mark Prior is turning into the bust Kerry Wood was, crazy talent but right now underachievingand I dont think we can compar relievers and starters, Mariano Rivera and Santana have completely different roles

[Hobbes 1]

I don't think Mark Buerhle is better than Santana at all, but he deserves a mention in this thread. Dude is rock solid.

We'll mention him when we create a "7th best pitcher in baseball thread." Seriously though, he's pretty good.

Meh. Best pitcher on the best staff in baseball. (National League teams don't count because they get a free out every 9th batter.)

Then you can't count all the White Sox games against the Royals 'cause that's a free out every other batter. POW! ZING! WHAMMY! Just kidding Koop...

[Longshanks 0]

[milestodavid 0]

:cry: The day that pitching staff was torn apart is a day that will live in infamy.

[MDXS 0]

Yeah...not much to argue here unless we work down the depth chart. Santana's the best....no question. Clemens has had the best career. No question. Pedro Martinez had the best peak. Randy Johnson gets honorable mention.

[MapleLeafs 142]

You may have lost 2 of those guys, but you've got a stud that'll be better than any of those 3

[Hobbes 1]

:cry: The day that pitching staff was torn apart is a day that will live in infamy.

Those were good trades. In fact, I wouldn't mind trading Zito either...

[Longshanks 0]

Harden needs to stay healthy, he will be a stud but that injury last season killed us, im sure the trades will end up being ok but still, you never want to see a stud like hudson leave, or a lefty like mulder go

[mbreon 0]

Absolutely it's Johan Santana (who is 26 by the way, KK)....

[KowboyKoop 0]

Now: Johan Santana. It really bugged the censored out of me when the Twins were using him as a spot starter 2 years ago when one of their regulars were hurt. It was obvious he was the best pitcher on that staff and now everyone knows he's the best in baseball.In 5 years: possibly Mark Prior if he can ever get his arm healthy, Felix Hernandez is a lock to win Cy Youngs for the next 15 years, Francisco Liriano in Minnesota is gonna team up with Santana and make that staff truly scary, Jered Weaver on the Angels has Prior like stuff, Verlander on the Tigers could be one to watch.

Noone is a "lock." He has tons of potential...but let's not get carried away.

[KowboyKoop 0]

I don't think Mark Buerhle is better than Santana at all, but he deserves a mention in this thread. Dude is rock solid.

We'll mention him when we create a "7th best pitcher in baseball thread." Seriously though, he's pretty good.

Meh. Best pitcher on the best staff in baseball. (National League teams don't count because they get a free out every 9th batter.)

Then you can't count all the White Sox games against the Royals 'cause that's a free out every other batter. POW! ZING! WHAMMY! Just kidding Koop...

I'll give you props on that one. Nice job. High-five. Seriously though...saying NL pitchers don't count is just stupid..yes, adjustment is necessary when comparing the two leagues, but it ain't like pitchers are always automatic outs.

[lvpro 0]

Roy Halladay

I was going to say this.Somehow last year, my fantasy baseball pitching staff ended up dominating the league when I ended up with Johan Santana, Roy Halladay, and Dontrelle Willis.

[mk 11]

Seriously though...saying NL pitchers don't count is just stupid..yes, adjustment is necessary when comparing the two leagues, but it ain't like pitchers are always automatic outs.

Didn't think I needed to add the sw to that one.

[nopunk 0]

I don't think Mark Buerhle is better than Santana at all, but he deserves a mention in this thread. Dude is rock solid.

We'll mention him when we create a "7th best pitcher in baseball thread." Seriously though, he's pretty good.

Meh. Best pitcher on the best staff in baseball. (National League teams don't count because they get a free out every 9th batter.)

Then you can't count all the White Sox games against the Royals 'cause that's a free out every other batter. POW! ZING! WHAMMY! Just kidding Koop...

I'll give you props on that one. Nice job. High-five. Seriously though...saying NL pitchers don't count is just stupid..yes, adjustment is necessary when comparing the two leagues, but it ain't like pitchers are always automatic outs.

See: Mark Mulder.310 BA.326 OBPDon't look at his pitching stats, though. Don't do it.Don't.

[allinbluff35 0]

Now: Johan Santana. It really bugged the censored out of me when the Twins were using him as a spot starter 2 years ago when one of their regulars were hurt. It was obvious he was the best pitcher on that staff and now everyone knows he's the best in baseball.In 5 years: possibly Mark Prior if he can ever get his arm healthy, Felix Hernandez is a lock to win Cy Youngs for the next 15 years, Francisco Liriano in Minnesota is gonna team up with Santana and make that staff truly scary, Jered Weaver on the Angels has Prior like stuff, Verlander on the Tigers could be one to watch.

I doubt Liriano is in the starting rotation on Opening Day.

[Shimmering Wang 1]

I'm kinda surprised Dontelle Willis hasn't gotten much love here.And I think if we based on performance over the last 2 years, it's Clemens/Santana, then everyone else.Clemens is probably done, but as of last year he was still in the top tier of pitchers in baseball. His numbers last year made me puke.I got a question for you guys...Considering all the pitchers that had dominant seasons during the last 10 years, if you had to pick ONE pitcher to win ONE game, and you KNEW he was going to come out with the A+++ stuff, who would it be?Basically, which pitcher had the best peak, consistency aside?I think for me, the list would look something like:1) Pedro2) Randy JohnsonWang

[MapleLeafs 142]

Now: Johan Santana. It really bugged the censored out of me when the Twins were using him as a spot starter 2 years ago when one of their regulars were hurt. It was obvious he was the best pitcher on that staff and now everyone knows he's the best in baseball.In 5 years: possibly Mark Prior if he can ever get his arm healthy, Felix Hernandez is a lock to win Cy Youngs for the next 15 years, Francisco Liriano in Minnesota is gonna team up with Santana and make that staff truly scary, Jered Weaver on the Angels has Prior like stuff, Verlander on the Tigers could be one to watch.

I doubt Liriano is in the starting rotation on Opening Day.

I doubt he will be too, but in 5 years, there's a great chance he'll be the #2 behind Santana.Forgot to give a 5 year shoutout to Scott Kazmir. If he can keep the wear and tear of his tiny frame to a minimum, he can be great in a few years.

[MapleLeafs 142]

I'm kinda surprised Dontelle Willis hasn't gotten much love here.And I think if we based on performance over the last 2 years, it's Clemens/Santana, then everyone else.Clemens is probably done, but as of last year he was still in the top tier of pitchers in baseball. His numbers last year made me puke.I got a question for you guys...Considering all the pitchers that had dominant seasons during the last 10 years, if you had to pick ONE pitcher to win ONE game, and you KNEW he was going to come out with the A+++ stuff, who would it be?Basically, which pitcher had the best peak, consistency aside?I think for me, the list would look something like:1) Pedro2) Randy JohnsonWang

I'd go with Pedro too, with a very close second to Roger Clemens. When Clemens had his split finger dialed in, he was nearly unhittable.

[Hobbes 1]

I'm kinda surprised Dontelle Willis hasn't gotten much love here.And I think if we based on performance over the last 2 years, it's Clemens/Santana, then everyone else.Clemens is probably done, but as of last year he was still in the top tier of pitchers in baseball. His numbers last year made me puke.I got a question for you guys...Considering all the pitchers that had dominant seasons during the last 10 years, if you had to pick ONE pitcher to win ONE game, and you KNEW he was going to come out with the A+++ stuff, who would it be?Basically, which pitcher had the best peak, consistency aside?I think for me, the list would look something like:1) Pedro2) Randy JohnsonWang

Unit's peak was Koufax-ian good. Pedro's was even better. Nobody can touch Pedro at his peak. Dontrelle had a very good year last year, but before that he was up and down. I think his future is bright and he'll be near the top (probably not in wins and losses with that offense though).

[MDXS 0]

If I need to win one game, 2000 Pedro's my man. 18-6, 1.74 ERA, 284 K, 32 BB...and the most disgustingly good stats: .737 WHIP; 285 ERA+It was the biggest treat to watch him every fifth day back then.