I volunteered to do the 5 questions again this year, but I've been busy and hadn't got to it yet. Thought yunz might be willing to help me out. Here's four questions I have thought of, and also need answers. I'm perfectly willing to write it up as a community effort, giving BucsDugout credit in the article.

1. Which Pedro Alvarez shows up this year?
2. Can Jose Tabata stay healthy as a leadoff hitter and GG quality OF?
3. Will Andrew McCutchen still be around when (and if) Cole and Taillon lead the staff?
4. Bedard & Burnett - low risk, but how much reward can we expect?

Feel free to suggest any other questions, and to give your answers. Thanks

Here is a list of this winter's free agent starting pitchers.They are ranked by WAR, from The Hardball Times Projections. 2011 ERA is a component, park adjusted ERA, that attempts to show how well each pitched. Proj is the projected ERA for 2012. Those who have signed already have their teams, years and dollar amounts listed, to help estimate how much similar pitchers will be valued. With the exception of CJ Wilson and Mark Buehrle, every other pitcher who has signed has received $4m to $6m per year. Yu Darvish is not a free agent, but is listed to show how he ranks vs the other pitchers.

With the Orioles signing Wada to a 2 year contract for $8.15m, I would expect Wei-Yin Chen to be in the same range, although possibly for more years.

2011 Proj WAR Age Name
2.39 2.57 7.1 25 Darvish
3.22 3.49 4.5 31 Wilson LAA 5/77.5
4.09 4.09 3.4 34 Oswalt
3.86 3.79 3.3 37 Kuroda
3.57 4.01 2.9 36 Vazquez
3.89 3.85 2.9 27 WChen
3.42 3.85 2.9 31 Wada BAL 2/8.15
3.92 4.28 2.7 33 Buehrle MIA 4/58
4.41 4.29 2.6 28 Jackson
3.76 3.95 2.3 33 Bedard PIT 1/4.5
5.05 4.33 2.0 33 Pineiro
3.81 4.45 1.9 30 Maholm
4.31 4.51 1.8 35 BChen KCA 2/9
4.67 4.48 1.6 31 Francis
4.50 4.63 1.6 37 Livan
4.35 4.51 1.4 32 Garland
4.07 4.73 1.4 31 Saunders
4.03 4.61 1.5 32 Wang WAS 1/4
4.01 4.37 1.2 39 Colon
4.32 4.55 1.2 35 Garcia NYY 1/4
4.71 4.64 1.2 33 Marquis
5.31 4.79 1.0 33 Cook
4.75 4.96 0.9 37 Millwood
4.39 4.97 0.8 45 Wakefield
4.95 4.99 0.8 34 Harang LAN 2/12
4.95 4.87 0.7 30 Harden
5.01 4.99 0.7 29 Duke
5.41 5.02 0.6 34 Penny
4.25 5.12 0.4 30 Willis
5.22 5.24 0.2 29 Sonnanstine

Jay Jaffe of Baseball Prospectus tweeted this about 11 pm Friday night, but didn't see any mention here nor have I been able to confirm by Googling

 

jay_jaffe Jay Jaffe Rays trade Jennings to the Pirates for Lyle Overbay, and Upton to the Mariners for Miguel Olivo. Pretty sure that's it. about 5 hours ago jay_jaffe Jay Jaffe Every time Desmond Jennings spends too long in the john, 10% of my feed says they're pretty sure he's getting the call this time

about 5 hours ago