Bobby Beat 2000 v3: Jan $tarr... actually worth the money??

[jiminyhopkins]

Washington, DC --

It was one of the first major trades of GM Sean Marko's MBBA career.

Just 2 weeks before spring training began, Duane Ward and Jack Johnson were traded to Birmingham for none other than SP Jan $tarr, the 15 million dollar man.

It was this deal, along with the trade for Pio Vallejo and the offseason signing of J.F. Kellogg, that signalled Washington's intent to contend immediately, just months after Marko was hired. In the interim, both Vallejo and staff ace Ken Howell were lost for the year around midseason, while Joshua Francis Kellogg spent two months on the DL and has yet to get back on track.

So whither Jan $tarr? As it turns out, all he has done is become the most consistent pitcher on the team and compile a 13-8 record with a 3.79 ERA and 186 strikeouts. Not exactly ace numbers for most clubs, but he has been a godsend to the 'Whites beleaguered staff. He has been an anchor in the rotation, a title he assumed after a particularly impressive complete game, 1 hit, 12 K shutout he recorded early in the year.

So while he may not be worth 15 million dollars, right now he is invaluable as just about the only arm the team can count on as the season winds down.

[recte44]

Starr obviously makes too much money, but the Bobbies needed pitching and that's the way it is.

[aaronweiner]

And honestly, they were one of the few teams where it made sense to take him on - even with the extensions there's still a ton of cap space available in 2002 and beyond.

[Shugi]

generally i would say hes worth his money, especially since hes the ace of the team. Only thing that would worry me considering the contract are his post-season stats, no matter how small the sample size.

[jiminyhopkins]

generally i would say hes worth his money, especially since hes the ace of the team. Only thing that would worry me considering the contract are his post-season stats, no matter how small the sample size.

I would be thrilled to see how well Starr pitches in the post season. If I ever get there

[Shugi]

He's signed through 2003 ... guess if you find some starting arms beside him which are able to clearly stay below an ERA of 5 we might see him in the postseason