Jeff Francis

Last year was not a good one for Jeff Francis. His numbers were not up to his standards, a 4-6 record and an ERA of 5.00.
He missed the entire 2009 season due to shoulder surgery.
If I were a team looking for a lefthanded starter, I would definitely give free-agent Francis a look.
I like pitchers the second year after arm surgery. The first year off surgery is frequently a year to build up arm strength and endure the rigors of pitching. The second year is when many pitchers truly make it back.
That is why I would take a chance on Francis. If healthy the guy could be a key contributor. If I were the Rockies I would try to lure him back.
A rotation of Ubaldo Jimenez, Jorge de la Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin, Jason Hammel and a healthy Jeff Francis wouldn't be bad at all. You could throw Aaron Cook into the mix as well. A one-time all-star, it would be nice if Cook, who has a year left on his contract, could get back to being his normal, sinkerballing self. I like guys in the last year of a contract. It's called motivation.