Jamie Moyer Returns!

YES! After sitting out all of last year recovering from Tommy John Surgery, 49 year old starting pitcher Jamie Moyer is now back after signing a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies for an invite to Spring Training

Did I mention that Jamie Moyer is 49 years old? 

I don't know about you but I am very excited by this news. Years ago I was rooting hard against aging, hoping for Julio Franco to play at 50 years old but he had to hang up his cleats after the 2007 season at age 48 when he had little left as a pinch hitter (although he did steal 2 bases so maybe the Mets and Braves just weren't taking full advantage of his skillset). Now, I'm rooting for Jamie Moyer to pitch well enough this year so that he can come back next year and pitch at 50 years old. 

The real question now is, what can we expect out of Moyer this season if he makes the team? I wish I had a good answer but unfortunately there just aren't too many people to compare to Jamie Moyer, a/k/a 49 year old pitchers coming off of Tommy John Surgery. Over his last three years (2008-2010) Moyer had a 4.40 ERA over 470 innings pitched with a pretty darn impressive 97 ERA+ given the circumstances (you know, his age). I'd obviously hesitate to project near league average production from Moyer next year in Coors Field. 

I'm not sure where to put this tidbit so I'll just randomly put it here: In 2010 Jamie Moyer's average fastball velocity was 80.2 MPH. Has there ever been a non-knuckle baller that averaged less than 80 MPH on their fastball? And, will Moyer be the first, or will the Tommy John give him more arm strength like some people claim? Is it possible Moyer will be throwing 90 MPH darts? I doubt it, but I also would have doubted I'd ever see a 49 year old pitching in Colorado. 

Finally, because I sometimes can't let things go: 

Player A:

267 wins, 104 ERA+, 47.3 rWAR

Player B:

254 wins,  105 ERA+, 39.3 rWAR

Explain to me this, why is Jack Morris gaining momentum in Hall of Fame voting again? He's Player B.