Pitching Changes/Ideas

[sychmd]

our pitching has been mixed.

Highlights:
SP - Burnett, Wandy
BP - Grilli, Melancon, Wilson, Gomez, Morris, Mazzaro

Lowlights:
SP - McD (1 good, 2 bad), Locke (1 ave, 2 bad), Sanchez (1 ave, 1 horrible)
BP - Hughes (half of outings poor)

Maybes
SP - Irwin (nerves)
BP - Watson (2 bad outings, better last 3)

We have Liriano and Morton (hit 97 mph in first 3 IP stint) coming in 4 weeks, then cole coming a few weeks later. hopefully that will give some SP help. Karstens, not sure if he can help or long relief.

Until then:
BP - Bring up Morris and Welker. See what they can do and give them some exposure to MLB in case they shine and the others fail or get injured. Send down Hughes and Watson so they can work out the kinks in leverage situations and get more consistency.
SP - until re-enforcements come,
4th starter - give sanchez another 2 starts (cant send him down to AAA),
5th starter - let irwin have another shot with the nerves out of the way and also give oliver a shot as a lefty with some nasty stuff and potential.
3rd starter - McD hopefully works it out, but if he has options, give him a short leash and send him down to learn how to be ready to pitch in the first inning, mix up his stuff and get his head out of the way.

 

[magnumo]

Two thoughts to add:

- Contreras has started his rehab, along with Liriano and Morton, so he will become a bullpen candidate by mid-May.

- McDonald does not have options remaining.

 

[thecrow124]

Justin Wilson should be given a shot if Sanchez sucks in his next outing or if McDonald continues to suck. I know he isn't stretched out, but he can give us the same 2-4 innings that Sanchez and JMac have been giving us, while stretching out.

I am actually ok with Locke, however I wasn't expecting much.

I hope that when Liriano and Morton come back they come back to the rotation, I have seen enough out of Sanchez and JMac to know I don't want to see any more until they are fixed.

Irwin's start wasn't as bad as the numbers look. He had a rough first 2 innings, but pitched pretty well after that. I would blame the first 2 innings on nerves as he looked visually shaken and nervous.

Oliver has looked awesome in AAA.

 

[Darkstone42]

I didn't think McDonald's second start was bad at all. He had a rough first inning, but really settled down after that.

 

[sychmd]

with no options, jmac really has to prove himself in the next month, and with his age, could still be part of a reasonable package for a SS or C. i do like mcD and would like to see him succeed as he has dominating stuff when he is mixing it and the catcher knows how to call a game with mcd's stuff.

sanchez, window of opportunity is closing for him as well and wont bring much although there are many teams with terrible pitching situations out there, so a couple decent starts for a lefty and we could throw him in with some other minor leaguers for something.

a rotation of Burnett, Wandy, healthy on fire Liriano, Cole, and Morton would be really cool with mcD in reserve (not sure where as not a BP candidate probably).

our BP would be pretty rested with liriano and morton probably only going 5-7 on any nite, but the other 3 going 7-9 most nites.

if morton is throwing hard - 97 at times - hopefully he doesnt play the nibbler like he did before that got him behind hitters and played with his head grooved pitches, got hit, frustrated and pitched scared. when he pitches with a grudge, confidence, and power, i think a big potential difference. here's hoping.

 

[Etrius24]

Mac was great the other night against the braves.. I would like to see a couple less walks.. but no denying that the guy can make bats miss! He really does have top shelf stuff.

 

[Etrius24]

With Morton, Liriano and Contreras coming back..(.And maybe Cole in June) We are going to have a glut of arms...

Maybe it is time to trade for a bat? Well in the next couple of weeks as these guys get closer to all returning. We have already lost several close games where our pitching was outstanding! But the lack of offense was our undoing.

But Liriano and Morton need time.. Liriano is currently struggling in the minors and Morton needs another what 3-4 starts in the minors before he might be ready

 

[Darkstone42]

With Morton, Liriano and Contreras coming back..(.And maybe Cole in June) We are going to have a glut of arms...

Maybe it is time to trade for a bat? Well in the next couple of weeks as these guys get closer to all returning. We have already lost several close games where our pitching was outstanding! But the lack of offense was our undoing.

But Liriano and Morton need time.. Liriano is currently struggling in the minors and Morton needs another what 3-4 starts in the minors before he might be ready

I generally put no stock in the stats guys post in their rehab games. In general, I suspect they're just working on stretching themselves out and getting a feel back, not really trying necessarily to get guys out. It has been quite a while since Liriano's pitched, after all, and there is rust to be shaken off.

 

[Etrius24]

Hopefully Contreras throws a couple more extended spring training sessions and then is ready to make his string of rehab starts.

 

[Etrius24]

Darkstone

I agree...Liriano might be working on all his pitches and getting hit or walking batters because of the rust.

I would like to see something positive from him though...I guess I need to pay attention to his next start to see if there is any progress made.

 

[magnumo]

Hopefully Contreras throws a couple more extended spring training sessions and then is ready to make his string of rehab starts.

Nope:

- Contreras will NOT be throwing a couple more extended spring training sessions..... since he began his minor league rehab assignment over a week ago, on April 15.

- Contreras will NOT be making rehab starts. He is a relief pitcher.

 

[Etrius24]

appearances...