Josh Towers?

Question

Should he be given another chance at being starter. I personally think he can be the best but I would like to hear opinions.

Answer 1

Josh Towers is my favourite baseball player. I know he was horrible in 2006 going 2-10, however I believe he can rebound next season given a chance.

The way it looks now, Towers will be given every oppurtunity to win back his spot in the rotation. So far, only Halladay, Burnett, and Chacin are locked, which leaves two spots open. Towers must have a decent spring training to win his spot back. If that happens, Toronto will use him as their 5th man. Towers is scheduled to make $2.8 million next year. The Jays do not want to pay him that amount to pitch in Triple A, or coming out of the bullpen as a long man.

Consider the market for starting pitchers this off-season. Look at the contracts given out to medicore pitchers who have been nothing better than 4th starters in their career, like Gil Meche, Ted Lilly, Miguel Batista, Adam Eaton, Vicente Padilla and Jason Marquis. They are making close to between $8-$10 million each annually.

The remaining starters on the market are not even any better. Jeff Weaver, Tony Armas, and Mark Redman etc. Those remaining starters would not be a difference maker for the Jays, it wouldn't make them any better.

Josh Towers can be better than any of those pitchers mentioned above. Look at what he did in 2005. Two years removed from his best season, Towers made 33 starts going 13-12, posting a 3.71 ERA, logging 208.2 Innings, alongside with 112K/29BB. That season Towers, was the Blue Jays best pitcher throughout the whole season (Halladay made only 21 starts due to injury).Towers tied Chacin with the lead in wins (13), posted the lowest starter ERA (3.71), and led the team in innings (208.2). Must I add an interesting stat. Out of all starting pitchers in 2005, from the AL East, Towers posted the lowest ERA.

That season Towers recorded 12 staright quality starts from the middle of July to end of the August. Also, he could have had more wins, if recieved more run support.

Ted Lilly, Gil Meche, Adam Eaton, Armas have never even pitched 200 innings in a single season before. Lilly, Meche, Armas, Eaton, Weaver, have never even posted an ERA below 4 over a full season. Consider, Redmans best season was 4 years ago in 2003 with the Marlins, pitching half his games in a pitcher-friendly stadium and in the National League. Batista is also 4 years removed from his best season, and has proved he cannot pitch in the AL, while also not having a solid season last year pitching in the NL with Arizona. Marquis posted a 6.02 ERA last year pitching to weak NL lineups. Judging stats, Padilla seems the most decent; however is he really worth that money after posting a 4.50 ERA in the AL last year. Might I include, pitching in the AL East would even make him look worse.

Towers will be given a shot to redeem himself. There is a high reward, if he repeats his 2005 stats. Compared to other starters, your better taking a risk on Towers, rather than blow $10 million on a 4th starter.

Overall, I think Josh Towers should be given another shot. I believe he can overcome a horrible 2006 season, and prove everbody wrong in 2007.

Answer 2

There's a chance he can still make it as a starter. The rotation thinned out after the loss of Ted Lilly and lots of interviews following Lilly's signing with the Cubs had team officials stating that they may just find a new starter from within, perhaps giving a shot to some of those who have been in the mix before.

I'd expect Towers to be given a run at the rotation in Spring Training. The kid has some good stuff and if he can get it back together, he can definitely contribute to the team as a starter.

Answer 3

I really dont think he should be given a chance unless he really shows something at spring training. Even though I think he still will be given a chance because we have 4 pitchers (Halladay, Burnett, Chacin, Marcum) but no one else. I say that because I think Mcgowan is bust at this point, Purcey's stuff isnt very good and Romero is not ready yet. Its basically between Janssen and Towers for the fifth spot IMO.

Answer 4

I like him a lot too man but unfortunately it isn't going to happen. After a 1-10 season management has to be leary about starting him again. Plus with minor leaguers such as Marcum, Jansen, and McGowan it looks like it will be hard for the guy

Answer 5

He should be given another chance, but possibly in Triple A or with another club. Toronto should trade him for a reliever or a prospect.

Answer 6

I always enjoy it when he starts against the Red Sox....