tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195084204316698108.post1197377154496082598..comments2024-02-19T07:12:32.248-06:00Comments on Baseball Outsider: COPOP III: The injury factorEdward Thomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10769979703606661737noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195084204316698108.post-60875747454082191892012-03-30T16:58:57.270-05:002012-03-30T16:58:57.270-05:00I think the key to Blackburn's career was the ...I think the key to Blackburn's career was the knee injury he sustained in the minors that required surgery.<br /><br />My theory:<br /><br />He starts out relatively sound each season health wise but over the course of a long season his knee eventually bothers him & Nick loses it physically each year. It resulted in arm/shoulder woes from 2010 and his sinker flattening out /elbow problems in 2011. It all stems from his knee barking at him each season.<br /><br />He is not a good risk health wise. Poor gamble to lock him up for 4 seasons back in 2010. It is not like he has outstanding stuff to start with. If ever there was a pitcher to go year to year with it was him. He doesn't miss bats.<br /><br />Maybe if he starts out strong this season they can flip him and get out from under that crappy contract before he breaks down again. If the Red Sox are looking at Blanton and his 8M from the Phils maybe Nick's $4.75 million in '12 and $5.5 million in '13 will not scare them off if they get desperate. Hendricks should be getting those innings that are being wasted on Blackburn and his limited ceiling.bob gorinskinoreply@blogger.com