Jnai said:
I don't want to derail the thread here, but as KG says, it's an industry term. "Ace" is what most baseball people mean when they say "#1". I don't know how you can think they're wrong. It's vocabulary.
Because I see a difference, and I'm perfectly fine if I'm in the minority on this (wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last). You can be a #1 starter on a team - a guy that team looks at as their best pitcher, the one they'd rather have get the ball in a big game, etc. - but clearly not be an "Ace", a guy who is in the CYA conversation.
In other words, saying that Porcello is not getting paid like a #1 and then citing the contracts of the elite of the elite pitchers (who have hit FA at least once) is a little unfair to the conversation. People were citing Clayton Kershaw's contract (to highlight that this is a good deal for Porcello), for crying out loud, as if the two are in any way remotely comparable pitchers.
Look at the pitchers making more than him, per the list cited above:
Kershaw $31M/year: ages 26 - 32
Scherzer $30M/year: ages 30 - 36
Lester $26M/year: ages 31 - 36
Verlander $26M/year: ages 27 - 36
Hernandez $25M/year: ages 27 - 33
Sabathia $24M/year: ages 28 - 35
Greinke $24M/year: ages 29 -34
Lee $24M/year: ages 32 - 36
Tanaka $22M/year: ages 25 -31
Cain $21M/year: ages 25 - 32
Hamels $21M/year: ages 28 - 34
Wainwright $20M/year: ages 32 - 36
Porcello $19M/year: ages 26 - 30
I mean, Kershaw, Scherzer, Felix, Verlander, Lester, Sabathia (before he got old and bad), Greinke, Lee....goodness, these guys are - or were, when they signed their contracts - the very definition of "Ace" in every way. Total studs. I'd hesitate a little to put that label on Lester, but his postseason success obviously factored in huge with him.
Porcello's resume doesn't touch those guys'. Perhaps he'll be worth it - I sure hope so, and I am glad he's on the team and look forward to him pitching for the Sox. But man, he's definitely getting #1 money. He's #13 on that list. Is he really the 13th best SP in baseball?