Asking price for starting pitching coming down

There have been a lot of hot stove rumors about starting pitchers in the last few months, but not a ton of action. That’s probably because starters such as Roy Oswalt, Edwin Jackson and Hiroki Kuroda have been way too high.

But, ESPN‘s Buster Olney says that’s changing. We’re roughly a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training and teams would like to get their rosters nailed down. And these pitchers would like to know what the deal is so they aren’t twisting in the wind in February. So, it looks like they are willing to be more reasonable in terms of pay.

“The asking prices have come down significantly for veteran FA starters: Oswalt (said to be at $8m), Kuroda (10-11m), Edwin Jackson,” Olney tweets.

Jackson was supposedly looking for some $15 million per year. Really? $15 million for 12-9 with a 3.79 ERA? And no one lined up to sign him immediately?! Christ, what is this world coming to?

Oswalt had back trouble (again) in 2011, but at $8 million, he’s worth a gamble. When he’s healthy, he’s still as sharp as ever. I have a feeling he’s got “Washington Nationals” written all over him, but that’s just a guess.