Tomko redux

Count me as one that believes Horacio Ramirez has a spot in the rotation already locked up. While I would like to think Ramirez was brought in to add competition in spring training there unfortunately are a couple things that won't let me believe this is true. The first one is that we've seen this before, Tomko (I still refuse to use his first name) was signed for the 2008 season based on 27.1 innings for the Padres late in 2007. Ramirez is getting 1.8 million based 24.1 innings with KC last year. It does make me wonder if DM really looked that closely into Ramirez' stint with the White Sox. Now I know it was only 13 innings but looking at his 2007 season (98 IP 7.16 ERA) it shouldn't have come as a surprise how truly awful he was.

But back to Tomko, I think it was largely his K/BB rate with San Diego that intrigued Moore and got him the contract.
Here is Tomko's 2007 stats.

Team	Record	IP	ERA	ERA+	K/BB	WHIP
Dodgers	2-11	104	6.30	67	79/42	1.59
Padres	2-1	27.1	4.61	88	26/6	1.13

Now look at Ramirez 2008 stats.

Team	Record	IP	ERA	ERA+	K/BB	WHIP
Royals	1-1	24.1	2.59	165	11/1	0.90
White Sox	0-3	13	7.62	60	2/8	2.46

Tomko of course reverted back to his pre-Padres form and put together a 2-7 6.30 season before being released mid-season. Unfortunately KC had signed him to a 3 million dollar contract (?), a move I immediately blasted. The talk last year much like this season with Ramirez is that Tomko was brought in just for added competition and would have to earn a rotation spot in ST.  He responded by giving up 21 hits and 12 earned runs in 10.2 innings (10.13 ERA) and somehow still won the job. Like I said this all a little too familiar.

Another reason I think he will be starting is because KC seems to have plenty of left handed bullpen options and all are better than Ramirez - and yes that does include Jimmy Gobble. While there are certainly some questions in the pen I don't think Ramirez would be a viable answer to any of them.

Moore wanted a left handed starter so he went out and signed one. He just didn't sign a good one.