MLB Rankings: Starting Pitchers

Over the next couple weeks or so The 1 Constant will be ranking the starters, closers, catchers, infielders, and outfielders in the "2nd Annual '1 Constant' MLB Pitching and Positional Player Rankings."

Note: These rankings are not solely based on the 2009 Major League Baseball(MLB) season but rather previous seasons leading up to this past season as well as the player's current stature in the game today and where I think the player's career is headed.

The 1 Constant will also be ranking the players that are available this Hot Stove League season and predicting a destination for said player at the time of the ranking as well.

With all things considered such as talent, intangibles, reliability, and statistical data to back it up these are the Top 10 Starting Pitchers in MLB today...

Starting Pitcher Rankings (Last Year's Ranking)

1. Roy Halladay RHP (1)

2. Tim Lincecum RHP (3)

3. CC Sabathia LHP (4) and Johan Santana LHP (2)

5. Zack Greinke RHP (NR)

6. Felix Hernandez RHP (NR)

7. Chris Carpenter RHP (NR)

8. Justin Verlander RHP (NR)

9. Cliff Lee LHP (9)

10. Adam Wainwright RHP (NR)

*(NR) = Not Ranked

**For a 2009 statistical comparison click here.

Just short of "Top 10" stature: Josh Beckett RHP, Matt Cain RHP, Dan Haren RHP, Ubaldo Jimenez RHP, John Lackey RHP, Jon Lester LHP, Jake Peavy RHP, and Brandon Webb RHP 

Rising Star(s): Tommy Hanson RHP, Josh Johnson RHP, Jair Jurrjens RHP, Clayton Kershaw LHP, and Rick Porcello RHP

Top 5 Hot Stove Starting Pitcher Rankings

Free-Agents (Acquiring Team Prediction)

1. John Lackey RHP (Seattle Mariners)

2. Randy Wolf LHP (New York Mets)

3. Aroldis Chapman LHP (New York Yankees)

4. Rich Harden RHP (Milwaukee Brewers)

5. Ben Sheets RHP (Texas Rangers)

Other notables: Erik Bedard LHP, Doug Davis LHP, Justin Duchscherer RHP, Kelvim Escobar RHP, Randy Johnson LHP, Jason Marquis RHP, Pedro Martinez RHP, Brett Myers RHP, Carl Pavano RHP, Brad Penny RHP, Andy Pettitte LHP, Joel Pineiro RHP, John Smoltz RHP, and Jarrod Washburn LHP

Trade Candidates

1. Roy Halladay RHP

2. Javier Vazquez RHP

3. Jonathan Sanchez LHP

4. Derek Lowe RHP

5. Gil Meche RHP