How about Skenes, Keller, Jones, Burrows/Falter piggyback, Oviedo/Ferguson piggyback until Chandler or Harrington are ready? Ashcraft goes to the pen for now with the possibility of being stretched out later.
I'm in favor of adding a veteran, though, with Burrows and Ferguson to the pen and the 5th spot going to an Oviedo/Falter piggyback.
I am in favor of acquiring a veteran starter with some gas left in the tank to lead this young pitching staff. I was in favor of bringing back Charlie Morton, due to his connection to Strom and history in Pittsburgh, but I believe this team would benefit from someone who is more than just a has-been place holder. All respect to Keller, but having a veteran who has been to the mountain top before that players like Jones, Skenes, Chandler, etc. can turn to for guidance is invaluable. There are teams out there looking to unload salary with veteran pitchers who underperformed last season (Montgomery in Arizona immediately comes to mind) and this team isn’t going to spend money elsewhere this season…. So why not?
Yeah I’ve been leaning that way too. Or at least a veteran who can pitch some innings because I am not sure how many they can expect from Oviedo, burrows, and Ashcraft coming off their injuries. I would think bubba can throw 150 this year maybe? I’m saying that, a Lynn, Gibson, or Quintana would be a nice addition.
Oviedo's TJ was performed on 12/06/2023 meaning he is already at 13 months and will be at 14 months by early reports for Pitchers and Catchers in Feb. He started throwing in May 2024, 75' throwing Jun 18, 2024, 90' throwing July 8, 2024, and Extended distance throwing on Aug 12, 2024. No news is good news and he'll be at 15 months from his surgery by opening day. I'd be surprised if he was not able to return to the Rotation to start the 2025 season. ST should tell us how he is progressing.
I’m not worried about the start, but the limit he will be on throughout. I don’t know how he starts 30 games this year and not exceed his limit. I’m curious to see what they allow him to do.
I am tearing a page out of an old book, but I think our bullpen could benefit from having one or two pitchers on the roster for mop-up roles. (Meaning when the game is out of reach, stop pitching 6 different pitchers each one inning. Let them rest.) Save those opportunities for our starting pitchers that we aren't sure if their arms (or stuff) are ready for the big leagues. Let them break in those situations or possibly piggy-back roles when needed.
First of all, expect a few of our players to be injured because that is just what happens in baseball these days. Take Ferguson off the reliever list and keep him in the group listed in the article of possible starters/long relievers. If healthy, I would expect the following 5 to be your 1 to 2 inning guys (Bednar, Holderman, Santana, Mlodzinski, Nicolas). We will have a 5 man rotation. That leaves 3 spots that players are fighting for. I am hoping 1 or 2 guys are taking the long reliever/mop-up role while one or two guys on your list wins the final spot or two.
Good point. The 5 relievers I mentioned are all right handed. However, 4 of them had better whips last year against left-handers than Ferguson. I think Joey Wentz might be ahead of Ferguson on the left-handed reliever list.
I haven't dug too deep on Ferguson, but thought the rumors were kind of split what his role will be.
If Chandler shows his stuff is better than all the others this Spring, he won’t be sent down just because he isn’t on the 40-man.
Oviedo, Burrows, Chandler: WOULD.
How about Skenes, Keller, Jones, Burrows/Falter piggyback, Oviedo/Ferguson piggyback until Chandler or Harrington are ready? Ashcraft goes to the pen for now with the possibility of being stretched out later.
I'm in favor of adding a veteran, though, with Burrows and Ferguson to the pen and the 5th spot going to an Oviedo/Falter piggyback.
I am in favor of acquiring a veteran starter with some gas left in the tank to lead this young pitching staff. I was in favor of bringing back Charlie Morton, due to his connection to Strom and history in Pittsburgh, but I believe this team would benefit from someone who is more than just a has-been place holder. All respect to Keller, but having a veteran who has been to the mountain top before that players like Jones, Skenes, Chandler, etc. can turn to for guidance is invaluable. There are teams out there looking to unload salary with veteran pitchers who underperformed last season (Montgomery in Arizona immediately comes to mind) and this team isn’t going to spend money elsewhere this season…. So why not?
Yeah I’ve been leaning that way too. Or at least a veteran who can pitch some innings because I am not sure how many they can expect from Oviedo, burrows, and Ashcraft coming off their injuries. I would think bubba can throw 150 this year maybe? I’m saying that, a Lynn, Gibson, or Quintana would be a nice addition.
Oviedo's TJ was performed on 12/06/2023 meaning he is already at 13 months and will be at 14 months by early reports for Pitchers and Catchers in Feb. He started throwing in May 2024, 75' throwing Jun 18, 2024, 90' throwing July 8, 2024, and Extended distance throwing on Aug 12, 2024. No news is good news and he'll be at 15 months from his surgery by opening day. I'd be surprised if he was not able to return to the Rotation to start the 2025 season. ST should tell us how he is progressing.
I’m not worried about the start, but the limit he will be on throughout. I don’t know how he starts 30 games this year and not exceed his limit. I’m curious to see what they allow him to do.
bring back Cantina
Or Stroman?
Works for me.
I am tearing a page out of an old book, but I think our bullpen could benefit from having one or two pitchers on the roster for mop-up roles. (Meaning when the game is out of reach, stop pitching 6 different pitchers each one inning. Let them rest.) Save those opportunities for our starting pitchers that we aren't sure if their arms (or stuff) are ready for the big leagues. Let them break in those situations or possibly piggy-back roles when needed.
who would you replace in the bullpen with one or two of these starters?
Bednar
Holderman
Santana
Nicolas
Mlodzinski
Ferguson
Wentz
Elvis
Strzelecki
* Moreta
* Stratton
First of all, expect a few of our players to be injured because that is just what happens in baseball these days. Take Ferguson off the reliever list and keep him in the group listed in the article of possible starters/long relievers. If healthy, I would expect the following 5 to be your 1 to 2 inning guys (Bednar, Holderman, Santana, Mlodzinski, Nicolas). We will have a 5 man rotation. That leaves 3 spots that players are fighting for. I am hoping 1 or 2 guys are taking the long reliever/mop-up role while one or two guys on your list wins the final spot or two.
I thought Ferguson was going to be our late inning LHRP?
Good point. The 5 relievers I mentioned are all right handed. However, 4 of them had better whips last year against left-handers than Ferguson. I think Joey Wentz might be ahead of Ferguson on the left-handed reliever list.
I haven't dug too deep on Ferguson, but thought the rumors were kind of split what his role will be.
Anyone hear an injury update on $Moreta$ ?
I am reading late June, which is too bad because he was a big part of the bullpen in 2023.
Ferguson - Oviedo piggyback is my best guess coming out of Spring. Burrows will be #6 in AAA. Ashcraft to the BP.
I think they try to get the extra year with Bubba and Harrington - they'll get up at the first post-May opportunity (injury or underperformance)
I'm with you on this. Only way this changes is if Chandler forces the issue.