Steroids talk aside:
Very discouraged by what Hochevar showed last night. He was not pitching inside at all - which, coupled with throwing his slider more often, was a key to his second-half success in 2011.
Even in the disaster inning against Cleveland, Hochevar was working the ball inside and trying to move the hitters off the plate.
If he does not move hitters off the plate, he is not an effective major league starter, plain and simple.
Hopefully, last night was an anomaly. But something to watch for moving forward.
I almost posted this link yesterday, but here's a link to 2013 FAs (including pitchers). IT seems highly appropriate now.
2013 FA
Pitchers of note (ones I would like to see the Royals chase - and think they actually might - in bold):
Shaun Marcum
Gavin Floyd
Zack Greinke
Cole Hamels
Danny Haren (has a $15.5 million team option, not sure if the Angels pick it up)
Edwin Jackson
Brandon McCarthy
Jake Peavy ($22 million club option that won't be picked up, I don't think)
Anibal Sanchez
Ervin Santana
Carlos Zambrano
Marcum is a KC guy and likely wouldn't be extremely expensive. He's an innings eater, and a guy who is highly effective despite not having overwhelming stuff. Would be a really nice fit.
I don't think they bring back Greinke, though I think it's worth kicking the tires.
A combo of Marcum and someone like Anibal Sanchez or Brandon McCarthy would improve the rotation tremendously.
Sanchez
Marcum
Duffy
Hochevar
Chen
Would look much better to me, and it gives you Paulino/Montgomery (who had another effective, low-walk start last night)/Lamb/Odorizzi all lurking in the wings, trying to chip into a spot.