Tanner Roark Appreciation Thread (2016 version)

[3bside]

He has a better career ERA than Strasburg, and he's only making $543K.

[Monarch]

MLB Network projecting him as the #7 Cy Young Candidate.  Not bad for a league minimum kid from rural Illinois...

He'll turn 30 years old just days before his first 2016 NLDS start...

You failed to mention who they said is #1 - http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v1166101683/the-mlb-tonight-crew-discusses-nl-cy-young-candidates/?c_id=mlb

[varoadking]

You failed to mention who they said is #1 - http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v1166101683/the-mlb-tonight-crew-discusses-nl-cy-young-candidates/?c_id=mlb

Wrong thread... 

[Slateman]

He has a better career ERA than Strasburg, and he's only making $543K.

Sounds like an excellent move by Mike Rizzo

[Minty Fresh]

Why?

Why not?

Cut Gio.

[BrandonK]

Why not?

Cut Gio.

Because he's cheap as freak and there's no reason to pay him?

[Baseball is Life]

I don't think I've ever underestimated a pitcher as much as I have Roark. I was completely wrong about him. Kudos to those who saw more in him than I did.

[Slateman]

Because he's cheap as freak and there's no reason to pay him?

Bingo. Frankly, Gio isn't that much, considering. And we really don't have enough pitchers for next season.

[Minty Fresh]

Because he's cheap as freak and there's no reason to pay him?

Yabut but if you can get rid of Gio and get someone to take his salary you can pay Roark and keep him around long term.

[BrandonK]

Yabut but if you can get rid of Gio and get someone to take his salary you can pay Roark and keep him around long term.

Sure, you could. I have no problem waiting till year 2-3 of arb to wait to talk to Roark about an extension (if they want to then). I've said it too many times now -- just not a fan of long-term SP deals. Here, you have a controllable guy throughout his prime (till age 32!). Good business says to NOT sign him after that, but we'll see.

[Slateman]

Yabut but if you can get rid of Gio and get someone to take his salary you can pay Roark and keep him around long term.

So ... what . . . another 15-20 million a year pitcher over the age of 30?

[Minty Fresh]

So ... what . . . another 15-20 million a year pitcher over the age of 30?

With a better track record than the current one?  Yes.

[whytev]

Love Roark. Really do. But the fate of the late bloomer is to have way less leverage because they peak at league minimum. It is what it is.

If Clint hit 50 homers next year he still wouldn't get an offer. He would clean up when arbitration comes round, as Roark also will.

[whytev]

With a better track record than the current one?  Yes.

We needed to pay Strasburg and Scherzer to get them for those years. We don't need to pay Roark.

[NatsAllThe Way]

He has a better career ERA than Strasburg, and he's only making $543K.

And always healthy.

[Slateman]

With a better track record than the current one?  Yes.

Tanner doesn't have a better track record than Max . . . ?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

If I were Roark's agent, then I might propose to the Nats some lifetime indentured servitude arrangement - reasonably priced buyout of 3 years of arb plus one year of free agency, with a couple of options that become guaranteed with a certain amount of innings.  Something like 600 IP over years 1 - 4 (and 170 in year 4) and the option becomes a player option; anything less, then a decent buyout and it is a team option.

[NJ Ave]

He's under control through 2019! The  only thing I would do is offer him three years guaranteeing his arb salaries - say 3/$36 million or so, with two team option years at $20 million per. Maybe you let him counter one of the team options into a vesting option.

But come on. You wouldn't extend a late-20s pitcher 3.5 years early under any other circumstance. You just feel bad he hasn't made much money yet.

[Slateman]

If I were Roark's agent, then I might propose to the Nats some lifetime indentured servitude arrangement - reasonably priced buyout of 3 years of arb plus one year of free agency, with a couple of options that become guaranteed with a certain amount of innings.  Something like 600 IP over years 1 - 4 (and 170 in year 4) and the option becomes a player option; anything less, then a decent buyout and it is a team option.

That sounds good. I really like Roark, but I'm really hesitant to sign pitchers to long deals after age 30.

[NJ Ave]

If I were Roark's agent, then I might propose to the Nats some lifetime indentured servitude arrangement - reasonably priced buyout of 3 years of arb plus one year of free agency, with a couple of options that become guaranteed with a certain amount of innings.  Something like 600 IP over years 1 - 4 (and 170 in year 4) and the option becomes a player option; anything less, then a decent buyout and it is a team option.

Hahahaha great minds

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Hey, try some Gil Meche numbers - 4 years, $51MM, with 2 options at $16MM and $18MM, with a team buyout at $4MM, converts to a player option if he hits 600 IP in any 4 consecutive years.

[Smithian]

If I'm the Nats I don't offer him anything right now. It's a business and we have his arbitration rights. I think he'll be a solid starter for the next few years but would anyone be shocked if he turned into John Lannan? Okay, not good? No. Take him to arbitration. If he is still kicking ass in 2019 and forces the Nats to pay him some big bucks then that is a good problem to have.

[whytev]

Tanner doesn't have a better track record than Max . . . ?

Vark batsignal alert!

[sportsfan882]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/tanner-roark-has-been-washingtons-kyle-hendricks/

[WhiteWhale]

Dude throws an amazing game, with the only run coming when Stanton gets ahold of one, and gets no run support. You know, no biggie, just another 7 innings one run performance.

Ace