Better Career, Wilson or Wright?

[Aristotelian]

I'm not trying to take anything away from The Moose, I'm a huge fan. Maddux and Martinez were just beyond top shelf.

I agree. I don't know how Mussina gets such a high WAR total, but Pedro and Maddux were on another level. Mussina never got a Cy Young, and was really only close once, whereas Pedro had 3 Cy Youngs, and Maddux 4. The only other guy I would put on that level is Big Unit (5 Cy Youngs, 104 WAR).

And to me, peak Pedro (1997-2003) was on an even higher plane of existence than even Maddux and Johnson.

[DrungoHazewood]

When in doubt always take the guy with the higher strikeout rate. So Wright. Wilson's K rate through 103 MLB innings is something like 60% of the league rate. That's essentially unsustainable, and K rate stabilizes very quickly.

[ArtVanDelay]

I agree. I don't know how Mussina gets such a high WAR total, but Pedro and Maddux were on another level. Mussina never got a Cy Young, and was really only close once, whereas Pedro had 3 Cy Youngs, and Maddux 4. The only other guy I would put on that level is Big Unit (5 Cy Youngs, 104 WAR).

And to me, peak Pedro (1997-2003) was on an even higher plane of existence than even Maddux and Johnson.

Clemens was better than all of them.

[Three Run Homer]

There's a better chance that Wright will improve his command and maturity than that Wilson will add MPH to his fastball.

For this year, I'd rather have Wilson as my #5 starter, but long-term I prefer Wright. The state of the O's rotation right now means that there's room for both.

[DrungoHazewood]

I agree. I don't know how Mussina gets such a high WAR total, but Pedro and Maddux were on another level. Mussina never got a Cy Young, and was really only close once, whereas Pedro had 3 Cy Youngs, and Maddux 4. The only other guy I would put on that level is Big Unit (5 Cy Youngs, 104 WAR).

And to me, peak Pedro (1997-2003) was on an even higher plane of existence than even Maddux and Johnson.

Maddux has an fWAR of 116, Pedro 85, Mussina 82. Maddux had 5000 innings, Mussina 3500, Pedro 2700. So Mussina and Maddux were comparable per inning, but Maddux pitched many more innings. Pedro was clearly the best per inning, but pitched the fewest innings.

[DrungoHazewood]

Clemens was better than all of them.

Yes, Clemens has a reasonable case as the best pitcher ever.

[Sanfran327]

I think Wilson is on MUCH thinner ice, stuff wise. But having a million dollar arm is meaningless if you have a 10-cent head.

This is a really good question. I'd lean slightly towards Wright, only because he's got the MLB "stuff" profile.

[Redskins Rick]

I agree. I don't know how Mussina gets such a high WAR total, but Pedro and Maddux were on another level. Mussina never got a Cy Young, and was really only close once, whereas Pedro had 3 Cy Youngs, and Maddux 4. The only other guy I would put on that level is Big Unit (5 Cy Youngs, 104 WAR).

And to me, peak Pedro (1997-2003) was on an even higher plane of existence than even Maddux and Johnson.

Because he earned it.

He had a high of 8.2, along with a 7.1 and 2 6s and 6 in the 5s.

Remember, like Maddux and Pedro, he pitched in the steroid and live ball era.

[DrungoHazewood]

I think Wilson is on MUCH thinner ice, stuff wise. But having a million dollar arm is meaningless if you have a 10-cent head.

This is a really good question. I'd lean slightly towards Wright, only because he's got the MLB "stuff" profile.

I don't know... there are Hall of Famers with 10-cent heads. Rube Marquard is weak HOFer, but still a HOFer, and he literally had to be escorted to the ball park so he wouldn't go chasing fire trucks and miss the game.

[Redskins Rick]

Yes, Clemens has a reasonable case as the best pitcher ever.

I have to go with Sandy K or Bob Gibson as the two best pitchers that I was privileged to watch.

[sportsfan8703]

I'd say Wright, because I think he could be dominant as a reliever. A potentially dominant set up man is more valuable than a swing man type.

[brianod]

Wright. I'll always take the guy with the better stuff. People are talking about Wright the same way there were talking about Jake before he was traded.

[brianod]

Yes, Clemens has a reasonable case as the best pitcher ever.

I'd rank them

Pedro

Maddux

RJohnson

Clemens

Moose somewhere around 10 in the modern era

[jabba72]

When in doubt always take the guy with the higher strikeout rate. So Wright. Wilson's K rate through 103 MLB innings is something like 60% of the league rate. That's essentially unsustainable, and K rate stabilizes very quickly.

Wilson's minor league K numbers are very similar to Wrights, so I think he still has more potential than what he's shown yet.

[DrungoHazewood]

I have to go with Sandy K or Bob Gibson as the two best pitchers that I was privileged to watch.

Imagine Pedro or Clemens on a 20" mound in Dodger Stadium with a knees-to-shoulders strike zone facing Ray Oyler.