Big Z or Peavy - Who Will Have More Wins In 2010?

Earlier today via FB, I had a discussion with a friend (and Sox fan) about who would end the 2010 season with more wins - Carlos Zambrano or Jake Peavy.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, at the beginning of last year and even up until the trade deadline, this would have been a win-win situation. If you remember, rumors were flying that the Cubs would be Peavy's new home after needing to be traded out of San Diego. But then it turned out that he was dealt to the South Siders, only to then learn that Peavy evoked his no-trade clause and refused the trade. After a little bit of negotiations, the Sox were finally able to land Peavy just before the trade deadline. Arm intact, but still ginger, Peavy pitched for only three games with the Sox.

Today, Big League Stew took to breaking down what kind of difference Peavy will make for the Sox this year. One of the concerns is obviously his health. Peavy has made only 43 starts over the past two seasons. He also benefited from pitching in the friendlier Petco Park, which may skew his stats. A stat-fag figured out that if Peavy would have pitched at the Cell last year, rather than in San Diego, he would have had a 4.22 ERA and 5-5 record, which makes him more of an average pitcher than a great one.

So what can be said about Big Z? Coming off the worst year of his career since becoming the Cubs ace, Carlos has also had his share of injury problems as of late. There was also speculation that the Cubs were looking to deal the hot-headed pitcher elsewhere during the trade deadline and even Carlos himself joked about retirement. Fortunately, Zambrano is still a Cub, and he has come into camp trimmer and with a fresh attitude. He claims to have changed his ways mentally and physically, although this isn't a new story for El Toro Loco.

As the Cubbie Doctor's Examiner points out, Carlos has a knack of making bold predictions for the year (claiming the Cy Young a couple times), but then falling short during the season. While health was a major concern for the pitcher last season, one thing that can't be overlooked is the lack of run support Zambrano got last year. That, coupled with the stress of being the Cubs go-to pinch hitter, led to more than a couple blow ups on and off the field, so much as the Cubs forcing an early retirement for it's new Gatorade machine.

So the question is, can both pitchers stay healthy, and if they can, who will be more effective? To most occasional fans, wins and losses determine a pitcher's worth. To a more experienced fan, we look at stats like ERA, innings pitched, WHIP and OppBB. So who is to say who will have the better record? There are plenty of variables outside the control of each pitcher that will determine who has a higher number in the "W" column at the end of the season. Regardless, I think both pitchers are more worried about putting a "W" in their team's record, rather than their own.

Go Cubs!


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