Who would you rather build your franchise around, Kershaw or Timmy?

[dlunc3]

[LT Profits]

They have basically the same skill set (e.g., you can't go wrong either way), but I lean ever-so-slightly toward Kershaw only because he is a lefty. He does also seem a tad more durable.

[YorkHunt]

The way lincecum throws...within the next 2-3 years his fastball will lose velocity, his power will lessen. He extends his effort into pitches more than he has too.

[Tech N9ne]

Timmy

[Powderguy]

Kershaw

[broadway6]

do you guys remember last year when Timmy had a dead arm and was horrible? then he tore it up August and September. Be prepared for that again. That being said, Timmy has pitched a lot of innings since he's been in the majors. You take Kershaw with no hesitation.

[dlunc3]

Agreed... I also think the age factor (kershaw 23, timmy 27) would play a big part in my decision..

[dlunc3]

Is there any pitcher that you would take over kershaw?

[LT Profits]

The way lincecum throws...within the next 2-3 years his fastball will lose velocity, his power will lessen. He extends his effort into pitches more than he has too.

do you guys remember last year when Timmy had a dead arm and was horrible? then he tore it up August and September. Be prepared for that again. That being said, Timmy has pitched a lot of innings since he's been in the majors. You take Kershaw with no hesitation.

Right, basically what I was touching on when I said Kershaw seems more durable.

[yisman]

Clearly Kershaw.

[freeVICK]

Is there any pitcher that you would take over kershaw?

Maybe a dude name Roy halladay???

If we are talking about young guys then I'd take Hanson over kershaw

[MendozaLine]

Kershaw. Hell, I would take Cain over Lincecum

[hugh_morris]

kershaw by a nose hair...he has a little more longevity, barring any injuries of course..

[VegasInsider]

I'll take Kershaw due to his age and Timmy's unorthodox delivery. I think Timmy will start breaking down sooner rather than later, plus Kershaw is a lefty.

[King Mayan]

Kershaw is King of LA...

[rm18]

Josh Johnson #1

[tcmoody99]

timmy id burn with em before every start

[Redscot]

Kershaw being a southpaw is a plus, Kershaw gets the lean on ease of delivery and oddometer. Lincecum big game tested.

I lean Kershaw mostly for durability concerns. Lincecum is a flexible freak though so who knows....

[doublej95]

Kershaw, got to go with the lefty.

[pacocn]

coin toss

[TobiasFunke]

Kershaw is a stud...

[Br0nxer]

thats a tough one

maybe kershaw

timmy has a lot of miles and very small guy

eventually he might break down

[Brian891]

jair jurrjens.

[gryfyn1]

I want to say The lefty that four years younger, but Lincecum has been better over the past few years and is only slightly behind Kershaw this year.

I do have two concerns over Kershaw,

first he's cut his walk% from 13.8 >9.6>6.8 over the last three years with out sacrificing the ability to get swinging strikes. and Im not sure how much of that is variance and will regress back toward 9-10% going forward.

second, he throws alot of sliders (23.5% this year), pitchers who throw alot of sliders are slightly more prone to have elbow issues, although the difference is much smaller with starters as opposed to revilers.

[tatddy]

The way lincecum throws...within the next 2-3 years his fastball will lose velocity, his power will lessen. He extends his effort into pitches more than he has too.

This couldn't be more wrong.

[LT Profits]

I want to say The lefty that four years younger, but Lincecum has been better over the past few years and is only slightly behind Kershaw this year.

I do have two concerns over Kershaw,

first he's cut his walk% from 13.8 >9.6>6.8 over the last three years with out sacrificing the ability to get swinging strikes. and Im not sure how much of that is variance and will regress back toward 9-10% going forward.

second, he throws alot of sliders (23.5% this year), pitchers who throw alot of sliders are slightly more prone to have elbow issues, although the difference is much smaller with starters as opposed to revilers.

Or can it be that his control has improved as he has matured? He is still young enough where that is a real possibility. I buy more into the variance theory later in a guy's career when he deviates from his established norms.

[face]

def big time timmy jim. two cy youngs for a reason: awesome variety of pitches.

[Redscot]

I want to say The lefty that four years younger, but Lincecum has been better over the past few years and is only slightly behind Kershaw this year.

I do have two concerns over Kershaw,

first he's cut his walk% from 13.8 >9.6>6.8 over the last three years with out sacrificing the ability to get swinging strikes. and Im not sure how much of that is variance and will regress back toward 9-10% going forward.

second, he throws alot of sliders (23.5% this year), pitchers who throw alot of sliders are slightly more prone to have elbow issues, although the difference is much smaller with starters as opposed to revilers.

I look at the walk rate as maturity and confidence, refining his craft and mastering his arsenal. He came up so young. The slider issue could definitely have some bearing but being a southpaw I think mitigates it some. The natural movement of a leftie helps offset the need to over rotate (supinate) the forearm causing stress on the elbow that a righty needs.

Did I just say supinate, wtf, I don't know what has become of me. . End of the day, they both are the shiznit.

[yisman]

Kershaw's control has improved. He's on Lincecum's level as a pitcher right now.

[WeinketoWarrick]

definitely kershaw. lefty and more likely to stay elite longer.

[frizzelli]

Neither who the fuk would build their team on a player who only plays every 5th fukkin game. Dumb thread.

[gryfyn1]

Or can it be that his control has improved as he has matured? He is still young enough where that is a real possibility. I buy more into the variance theory later in a guy's career when he deviates from his established norms.

its certainly possible and it looked like it last year when he dropped his BB% from 13% to 9.5% with only a small decrease in k% from 26.5 to 25. It just that dropping his bb% to 6.8% and increasing his k% to 28% is another huge step.

like I said its still a bit a question and if this is truely him progressing his is clearly better.

[sweethook]

They have basically the same skill set (e.g., you can't go wrong either way), but I lean ever-so-slightly toward Kershaw only because he is a lefty. He does also seem a tad more durable.

100% , kershaw