John Lannan?

The starting pitching depth on this team is quite scary. With the most recent news about Baker, the concerns grow by the day. What are peoples thoughts on John Lannan? He's been demoted to AAA because of the depth of the Nationals starting rotation.

-He's not going to be a superstar, or even above average but he provides much needed depth.
-27 years old
- The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore reports Lannan is the highest-paid player ever optioned to the minors prior to the end of spring training.
- $5 million salary, final year of contract

Is he really much of an improvement over Liam Hendricks and Swarzak? I don't think a trade for Lannan makes sense because of his contract and because it seems like the Nationals want a MLB player or prospects - the rumor about Chicago's interest included Marlon Byrd. Seems like he doesn't justify the cost. Would it make any sense for the Twins to trade Span or Revere? The Twins can't fill the desired need of the Nationals without creating another weak spot for themselves, so I don't think it will happen.

It be kind of fun to collect as many old Nationals players as possible. We've got Capps, Carroll, Willingham, Marquis, & Pavano pitched with Montreal--why not Lannan too?

Oh yea, I know why not Lannan...he's not good.

I don't think that it would cost much to get Lannan from Washington, but I would want them to eat about $4 million of his contract.

Is he better than hendriks... maybe... is he better than Swarzak... certainly.

I think it's a good idea to consider, but again, I wouldn't give up much for him. He's like Pavano, Marquis, Blackburn... except he's a lefty. Very consistently average.

Lannan does not strike me as the type of pitcher who would have success in the American League.

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Originally Posted by Seth Stohs

Is he better than hendriks... maybe... is he better than Swarzak... certainly.

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Not really. His Career numbers are: 1.423 WHIP, 4.7 K/9 and 1.4 K/BB in the National League facing pitchers.
Swarzak's as a starter are: 1.451 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 2.12 K/BB in the American League.
even Duensing as a starter has 1.381 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 2.33 K/BB

Do you remember Perkins as a starter? Even he was better than Lannan (and he was awful).
So the Twins have many more internal options. I suspect I'd rather see Lannan than Diamond, but that's about it...

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Originally Posted by Nick Nelson

Lannan does not strike me as the type of pitcher who would have success in the American League.

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Yeah, I'd pass on him too.