Starting pitcher Brett Myers and his role with the Indians

Cleveland Indians pitcher Brett Myers

Brett Myers signed a 7 million dollar contract with the Indians on New Years' Day this off season, with a vesting option of 8 million dollars if he pitches over 200 innings for the 2014 season.  Myers was brought in because of his consistency to keep teams in ball games, his ability to be an "innings eater," and his veteran leadership.  How has that gone, you ask?  Let's take a look. 

In Myers first start against the Blue Jays, he was rocked for five runs, and received the loss.  If you ever wanted to see batting practice thrown in a game, this would have been your best bet.

In Myers second appearance, he made a relief appearance after Carlos Carrasco was ejected from the game for intentionally throwing at Kevin Youkillis after giving up a home run (surprise here), Myers then came in and pitched the last 5 and a 1/3 innings, and was rocked again for three home runs while surrendering seven runs. 

In Myers third appearance and second start, he pitched significantly better, but the long ball still hurt him, as he gave up six hits and another home run to Paul Konerko, thus giving him his second loss of the year from the Chicago White Sox.  Myers went six innings.   

In Myers fourth appearance against the hopeless Houston Astros, he once again let the long ball hurt him again, while giving up a pair of homers and three runs over five innings. 

So, in four appearance this season, Myers has a dazzling 8.02 ERA, has given up 10 home runs, struck out 12, walked 5, and sits at an 0-3 record.  Myers is currently on the 15 day disabled list with elbow issues. In his place, Corey Kluber got the call as a replacement against the Kansas City Royals and threw seven innings while giving up two runs, and getting the W.  

It looks as if this signing has not turned out exactly how the Indians wanted to so far.  Myers was brought in for consistency, and the things consistent about his game is giving up at least one home run per game.  Myers has always prided himself on being an innings eater, but he hasn't been able to give his team a win.  

Instead of signing Myers to a $7 million contract, that's $7 million that we could have thrown to someone who is a much better pitcher, in Kyle Lohse, who eventually signed with the Brewers this off season.  Lohse was considered (behind Zack Greinke) one of the top free agents on the market after his stellar season with St. Louis in 2012.  Lohse was originally pursued by the Indians, but after the Nick Swisher, Brett Myers, Mark Reynolds, and the Michael Bourn signings, the Indians felt their roster was good enough and passed on Lohse.  Lohse did not sign until half way through Spring Training, and his final signing price?  3 years, $22 million.  The Indians could have used that money to try and lure Lohse into coming to Cleveland, where he would make a much better number 2 or number 3 pitcher than Ubaldo Jimenez or Brett Myers ever could. 

Brewers pitcher Kyle Lohse, who the Indians
pursued in the beginning of the off season

The Brett Myers acquisition so far has been, at the very least, unsuccessful.  Either these up and coming pitchers (Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco) are going to have step up and make sure Myers does not re-enter the rotation, or be prepared to watch batting practice for a bit longer this season.