Jeff Suppan

Suppan continued his role as rotation albatross in 2009 by earning $12.5 million for a 5.29 ERA in 161.2 innings. The Brewers are on the hook for one more year of Suppan and there's not much that they can do about it. He'll start the season in the rotation and the Brewers will hope for the best. It wouldn't be shocking to see him not finish the season in Milwaukee.

Suppan finished 2008 with his highest ERA since 2003 at 4.96 and was completely undependable by the end of the season. The Brewers are still on the hook for two more years of an almost unmovable contract so he'll be part of the rotation again in 2009. He may get you 10 wins, but it will come with a hefty price in ERA and WHIP.

While some people were disappointed with Suppan's 2007 season, his numbers were as good or better than his 2006 season with the Cardinals. He allowed fewer HR/9, fewer BB/9 and had more K/9. So how did his ERA go up a half run to 4.62? Most likely it had to do with an increase in his BABIP to .324, which is probably directly related to the poor defense behind him. That defense may not change much in 2008, but the Brewers have a good enough offense to get him another 12-15 wins.

Suppan’s overall 2006 numbers hide the fact that he was one of the National League’s best pitchers in the second half and postseason. After the break, he was 6-2 with a 2.39 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, including one August-September stretch in which he gave up only four runs in six starts. Although it’s doubtful he’s as bad as he was in the first half or as good as he was in the second half, Suppan is a solid starting pitcher capable of putting everything together for 15-20 wins with a can’t-hurt-you ERA and mediocre WHIP. Still, he won't have the same high-caliber infield defense behind him after signing with Milwaukee this winter.

Suppan was his usual consistent self in 2005. He was unhittable down the stretch, with a 2.78 ERA in the second half, including a 1.93 mark in five September starts. While his stuff is far from nasty, Suppan will consistently out-think opposing hitters with a bevy of pitches.

Typical Suppan. He throws the game of his life in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Astros, moving the Cardinals onto the World Series. Then, gets crushed in Game 3 as the Red Sox brutalized him with eight hits in four innings of work. Suppan has flashes of brilliance, where it looks like he could be a Cy Young candidate at some point. He struck out seven batters three times in 2004 but also walked 10 in a start against Cincinnati. He's a gamer, though, which is probably why he gets so many chances to succeed and fail. He eats innings like no other, falling short of 200 in 2004 not based on health but based on Tony LaRussa's quick hook. It was the first time since 1998 he hadn't topped 200 innings. Suppan would do well to continue the trend toward becoming a groundball pitcher, especially with the defense behind him.

Suppan pitched well while in Pittsburgh then promptly laid an egg in Boston during the playoff race. The Cardinals inked Suppan to a two-year deal based on his solid numbers with the Pirates, particularly against the Cardinals.

He fell one win shy of 10 and a few innings shy of 200, but he's still one of the most consistent pitchers in the majors. Ten wins and 200 innings have become the norm for him. When he jumped out to a great start in 2002, the law of averages sent him through a 0-9 stretch. Death, taxes and Jeff Suppan wading in mediocrity. The Royals aren't going to pay for that level of consistency.