Scouting Report Jason Marquis

Jason Marquis
32 years old
12th major league season
Bats L/Throws R

Jason Marquis begged the Mets to sign him before last season, but the Mets held steadfast, so he signed a 2-year, 15 million dollar contract with the Nationals instead. In 2009, he had a very good year, participating in the All-Star game, and leading the Rockies to the playoffs. Well the Nationals were rewarded last year with a 6.60 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, and a bill for an elbow surgery to remove bone chips, all the while not pitching for the Nationals from the middle of April to the beginning of August. For his career, he's 96-92, 4.55 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, which is what he is: a league average pitcher, who's being paid 7.5 million dollars. He made $53,000 for each inning he pitched between 2008-2010, which was in the top 50 of all starting pitchers.

Marquis is a four pitch pitcher: fastball that sits at 90 mph, a slider (85 mph), cutter (87 mph), and a change-up (83 mph). He had been successful in prior years with his slider and cutter, but none of his pitches have been plus pitches the past two years, with his fastball being his worst pitch. He throws his slider the most with 2 strikes. He doesn't get swing and misses (7%), which leads to not being able to strike hitters out (4.7 K/9 last year, 5.2 K/9 for his career). In order for him to be successful, he needs to minimize home runs (0.63 HR/9 in his career year of 2009, but regressed back to the mean last year) and induce a lot of ground ball double plays.

During his 11 year major league career, he's 6-7 versus the Mets (23 games, 16 starts), with a 4.65 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. He didn't face the Mets in 2010 due to his injuries, but was 0-2 in 2009, with a 5.73 ERA, 1.73 WHIP.

In his first start this year versus the Marlins, he went 6 1/3, let up 2 runs (1 home run), 6 hits, 0 walks, and 2 k's.

Mets should load up the line-up with lefties, as he lets up more walks (5.2 BB/9 last year) and home runs (2.3 HR/9 last year)