Which pitcher? Topic

I'm in a progressive and we're up to the 1964 draft.  Who would you take: Tiant or Cuellar?
9/8/2010 4:28 PM
Couple of thoughts. First, I'm the kind that likes to build for a great year. If you're going to have a really strong '66 or '69 go Cuellar, and a strong '68 is Tiant. Don't think further.

Outside of that, I'd say Cuellar's the stronger long term option. I'm guessing you're rebuilding with the high '64 pick. So Tiant's early good seasons (64'-66') aren't really of much use. Better to wait out Cuellar's early slump now than Tiant's slump later.

In the early going, Tiant forces you to build a great roster by '68, then he falls off the map for three years when you probably have a good core. Cuellar gives you an extra year to build for his ace season (69), then gives you a solid chuck of three great years and three more years as a useful inning eater, always over 250 IP. So that's seven straight years of use on a championship caliber team. Bonus point for being a lefty.

Tiant, after his '69-'71 useless seasons, gives you two great years (better than Cuellar, but not by much). Also one of those is only 188 IP. After that he's an inning eater for three years and finishes with two more decent years, but at only 200IP each. I'd rather have the consistent 250 IP seasons from Cuellar.

Overall, it depends where your roster is at, as these guys are on rather different clocks. End of the day, I'd go Cuellar.
9/8/2010 8:10 PM
Great insight and thought teal, I'm with you on this.  I was a late entry last year in an established league (2years) but caught a terrific break with the #1 pick last season (they do a lottery.) and picked up Rose.  I'm thinking at least 2 to 5 seasons out so I agree with your thoughts on Mike.  I actually took him with the third pick (Dick Allen and T Oliva went 1-2, little surprise Tiant didnt go early.)  Lucky again this year with #3 pick.  Thanks.
9/8/2010 9:27 PM
I'm in the same league and would tend to agree Cuellar over Tiant.

But then again, I was pretty thrilled that Tiant was still around when the #7 pick came up (me).  He will fit nicely in my 1968 rotation with Bob Gibson....
9/8/2010 9:34 PM
Which pitcher? Topic

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