Meet Jorge de la Rosa.
Jorge is a left handed starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. His fastball resides typically in the low 90's. His off-speed offerings include a plus change and slider. His curveball has potential if he can fix its release point. He strikes out over a batter per inning and costs only ("only" used loosely) $2 million.
Why is de la Rosa so available? Well he is 5-7 with a 5.14 ERA and the Rockies fifth starter.
He's Coors Field's latest victim. At home he sports an ERA of 6.49, while maintaining a solid 3.89 on the road at parks that are less evil to pitchers.
This is also in line with his 2009 FIP. FIP is kind of like a "true" ERA which only measures walks, strikeouts, home runs allowed, things that the pitcher has control over. His FIP, even at Coors, is 3.81
Put him in a pitchers park like Milwaukee's Miller Park, Seattle's Safeco Field, Los Angeles's Dodger Stadium, or New York's Citi Field, and you have a mighty fine lefty pitcher.
Teams like the Brewers, Dodgers, Mariners, Mets, Braves, and Cardinals, who all have legitimate pitcher's parks (and are contenders) should seriously push for de la Rosa.
The Rockies are in it, but not because of their bullpen. They're rumored to want a power arm and de la Rosa might be the piece that gets them it. They know he is a good pitcher, just not at their home park and unfortunately for them, his 5.14 ERA isn't going to fetch much for the Rockies.
I'd say a groundball throwing power pitcher and maybe a B prospect could get you de la Rosa.
So buyers, buy smart. Look beyond the surface numbers before you destroy your future.
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