FanPost

Duchscherer--- should he be signed to a multi-year contract?

It seems to me that in all the talk of Zito or Kotsay being traded or signed long term, we've overlooked how valuable Justin Duchscherer is to the A's.  So, I was just wondering about his contract status.

He is arby eligible for a few years to come, but I was wondering, why not do as we did with Crosby and lock him up for a couple of years so those arbitration numbers won't skyrocket.

Just think about what he's been to us over the past two years:

  • Effective long reliever
  • Effective setup man
  • Effective stopgap closer
  • Most consistent of any A's pitcher for the past two years
  • This year, he's learned how to get a K (nearly 1 per inning)

On the other hand, as ColoradoFan points out (thanks CoFan), he is not FA eligible until 2010. Also, Haren may be a priority to be locked up first. Plus relievers don't get paid as much as starters and everyday players. So, locking him up past arbitration years may not save much money.

What do you think?