It’s been a slow, strange offseason, with dozens of free agents still unsigned. Even with spring training just four weeks off, numerous teams’ depth charts and rotations remain far from settled.

Most clubs, including a few contenders, lack five dependable starters, so it’s surprising to find several pitchers still awaiting deals at this juncture. None are front-line starters, most are league-average types, and the best of them come with some risk. All are looking for a big payday and the waiting game goes on.

Left-hander Andy Pettitte could provide the biggest return, and in light of his annual flirtation with retirement, is probably looking for just a one-year deal. He reportedly turned down a $10 million offer from the Yankees near the start of the new year, which would have been a substantial pay cut, so he’ll most likely command an eight-digit salary when a deal is struck. He’s worked at least 200 innings in each of the last four seasons, but he was 4-7 (5.35 ERA) in the second half of 2008 after winning 10 games before the break. Would he return to Houston and offer a hometown discount?

Another workhorse is right-hander Jon Garland, who has pitched more than 190 innings in each of the last seven seasons. He’s posted double-digit wins in each of those years, though with an ERA that has been near league average. Garland was 14-8 for the Angels last season, but posted a 4.90 ERA that was his highest since his rookie year in 2000. The Angels didn’t even use him in their four-game Division Series with Boston. Undoubtedly the 29-year-old veteran is looking for a multiyear package, but he may have to sign a one-year deal and look to have a better season in 2009.

The best of the lot has to be former Brewer Ben Sheets, but he comes with the most risk. In the last five seasons, the 30-year-old right-hander has missed substantial time for a viral infection, a torn back muscle, shoulder tendinitis and a middle-finger sprain. He was en route to his first 200-inning season since 2004 when he tore a muscle near his throwing elbow in late August. Sheets finished 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA that was his lowest since ’04, but he wasn’t available for Milwaukee’s first playoff appearance since 1982. Reportedly the Mets have been showing interest in recent days.

Then there’s Oliver Perez, another high-risk investment. The southpaw’s success each summer has hinged on the severity of his gopheritis. After going 12-10 with a 2.98 ERA for the Pirates in 2004, the 27-year-old Perez grooved too many longballs and posted ERAs of 5.85 and 6.55 the following two seasons. He turned things around with the Mets in 2007, going 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA. He wasn’t quite as effective last season, when he was 10-7 (4.22) but walked 105 batters in 194 innings. Reportedly the Mets are dangling a three-year deal worth close to $30 million, so a signing may be imminent.

Also available are Braden Looper, Randy Wolf and Odalis Perez. All three had decent seasons last year, but none is certain to build on his 2008 performance. There’s also former Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez, though his showing in 2008 suggests the end is near.

As is true with a majority of free-agent signings these days, the payoff is rarely worth the payout in the long run. As vital and in short supply as starting pitching is, however, it’s hard to understand how the likes of Pettitte, Garland, Sheets and the others have yet to find a home.