Sanchez & Pelfrey to the 'pen; keep the rookies in the rotation
In 2013, Max Scherzer won the Cy Young Award. But before that, there was a time when you had no idea which Scherzer was going to show up for the start: the good Scherzer (who was excellent) or the bad Scherzer (who was terrible). Bottom line is, you can't trust a pitcher like that.
Anibal Sanchez won the ERA title a few years back. He has struggled since. This season, lately, he has show flashes of past brilliance with some good starts, but he's also had a lot of bad starts. You never know which Sanchez is going to show up.
The Problem
We have seven starters and five rotation spots.
Our current rotation is comprised of veterans Verlander and Sanchez, and the rookies Norris, Fulmer, and Boyd. Jordan Zimmerman and Mike Pelfrey are expected to come back after Toledo's season ends today. This is actually a "good" problem to have. I mean, if you're going to have a rotation problem, better to have a surplus than a drought.
Zimmerman obviously goes back into the rotation. And he'd have to do really poorly to get pulled out again. Basically, he's back for good. Your locks for the 1-2-3 pitchers are then Verlander, Zimmerman, Fulmer. Now you have Sanchez, Pelfrey, Norris, & Boyd vying for two spots.
The Solution?
When we signed Pelfrey, there was talk of being able to use him in the bullpen. Since he did poorly as a starter, you have to hope he could do well in relief. Sanchez has already made a bullpen stint and did really well. Way better than as a starter. You could count on him in relief.
I'm no baseball expert, but it seems to me that it would be best to put Sanchez and Pelfrey in the bullpen and leave the rookies in your rotation. They've pitched superbly and really deserve it. Plus, then your bullpen is bolstered for - hopefully - a long playoff run.
Now, a case can be made (and it's a good argument) that it's risky taking three rookies into the post-season. They've never experienced the pressure of pitching in playoff games, don't have a lot of experience, etc.
True. But again I ask, do you want a rookie who has shown himself to be dependable or a veteran who leaves you praying and biting your nails the whole game?
The Most Likely Scenario
Realistically, Sanchez probably stays in, Pelfrey goes to the bullpen, and one of the rookies either goes home or is put in the bullpen too. I trust the Tigers to do what they think is the best and they have way more information and experience that will help them make the right decision.
Hopefully, if Sanchez stays, he finds a way to make the flashes a steady beam. I hope he can be a reliable pitcher again. But right now, I'd personally rather put postseason games in someone else's hands.
Anibal Sanchez won the ERA title a few years back. He has struggled since. This season, lately, he has show flashes of past brilliance with some good starts, but he's also had a lot of bad starts. You never know which Sanchez is going to show up.
The Problem
We have seven starters and five rotation spots.
Our current rotation is comprised of veterans Verlander and Sanchez, and the rookies Norris, Fulmer, and Boyd. Jordan Zimmerman and Mike Pelfrey are expected to come back after Toledo's season ends today. This is actually a "good" problem to have. I mean, if you're going to have a rotation problem, better to have a surplus than a drought.
Zimmerman obviously goes back into the rotation. And he'd have to do really poorly to get pulled out again. Basically, he's back for good. Your locks for the 1-2-3 pitchers are then Verlander, Zimmerman, Fulmer. Now you have Sanchez, Pelfrey, Norris, & Boyd vying for two spots.
The Solution?
When we signed Pelfrey, there was talk of being able to use him in the bullpen. Since he did poorly as a starter, you have to hope he could do well in relief. Sanchez has already made a bullpen stint and did really well. Way better than as a starter. You could count on him in relief.
I'm no baseball expert, but it seems to me that it would be best to put Sanchez and Pelfrey in the bullpen and leave the rookies in your rotation. They've pitched superbly and really deserve it. Plus, then your bullpen is bolstered for - hopefully - a long playoff run.
Now, a case can be made (and it's a good argument) that it's risky taking three rookies into the post-season. They've never experienced the pressure of pitching in playoff games, don't have a lot of experience, etc.
True. But again I ask, do you want a rookie who has shown himself to be dependable or a veteran who leaves you praying and biting your nails the whole game?
The Most Likely Scenario
Realistically, Sanchez probably stays in, Pelfrey goes to the bullpen, and one of the rookies either goes home or is put in the bullpen too. I trust the Tigers to do what they think is the best and they have way more information and experience that will help them make the right decision.
Hopefully, if Sanchez stays, he finds a way to make the flashes a steady beam. I hope he can be a reliable pitcher again. But right now, I'd personally rather put postseason games in someone else's hands.
Nice analysis! We need to get the eyes of the Tigers' organization on this! And I'm only slightly kidding.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yeah, I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the decision meetings they'll have to hold.
DeleteOoops! ODG is me. :)
ReplyDelete