Starting Rotation: The Good and the Bad
Sorry I’ve been a bit MIA for the past few days. The seas at TLC headquarters are rough these days, and I’m having trouble keeping up. I’m still here, though. If the posts are a little slow for awhile, understand that it’s (hopefully) just a temporary circumstance.
So. With Bergesen sent back and Hill seemingly ticketed for the DL, I find myself as mystified and troubled about this rotation as I was when pitchers and catchers first reported. Maybe more so. It appears that we’re looking at Guthrie, Uehara, and Eaton for sure. I can live with that, since Eaton has at least had brushes with success in the past.
Beyond that, I refuse to project Hendrickson as anything other than the long man he is, and Pauley simply hasn’t been good enough.
Has Penn earned his spot? Well, he’s done more than Baez, but not by much.
Then there’s Alfredo Simon, who seems to have emerged as a contender.
File pretty much all of that under “bad”. But there’s good news.
Help is on the way.
In other words, I’m not sure it matters who ends up in the last two spots. Chances are whoever it is won’t be here for long, anyway. I still think we’ll see Hill and Bergesen soon, and there’s a good chance that one of the Young Guns breaks through towards the end of the season.
It’s gotten ugly down in Fort Lauderdale, but it’s best if we take a long view. I didn’t want another Chuck McElroy or Doug Linton, either, but at least this year we’re not actually kidding ourselves about what we’re going to get. Let these guys hopefully stay healthy, eat innings, and wait for The Wolf, who should be arriving directly.
(borrowed AP photo)
“Help on the way, well, I know only this, I’ve got you today.
Don’t fly away, cause I love what I love and I want it that way.”
I’m sorry to say it but I’m glad the US got knocked out of the WBC. I just wish it had happened earlier.
I’ve read a lot about this thing and why it can “only” happen in March. To which I say — if that’s true — that maybe it shouldn’t happen at all. I just can’t defend the idea of taking unprepared players out of spring camp for weeks at a time to participate in an event that, while cool, is wholly unnecessary.
I watched a bit of it, and what I watched I enjoyed. It was certainly interesting seeing the US play Japan last night (I’m with Dan on the matte black helmets). I was stoked about what the Netherlands pulled off.
Yet if we look at this objectively and see “players gone from camp, away from their teammates, not preparing for the season” and stack that against “chance to see some interesting international competition”, who can really make a case for the latter above the former?
@neal s – I agree with you. This thing needs to be either in the middle of winter or middle of summer now if it’s ever going to work out completely.
I have to say, I am liking ESPN’s idea of it complementing the All-Star game in the middle of summer, as it is the height of most player’s health and doesn’t interfere with their team training & bonding in the spring. But I’d go one further and just scrap the idea of an All-Star game altogether, it’s gotten so contrived with the homefield advantage during the World Series rule. Heck, call it the World All-Stars game and just have it be WBC +HR derby for 1-2 weeks in July and call it a day.
It doesn’t work for the other countries to do it during our All Star Break. Games in Japan and China, etc, is a big part of it. That ain’t happening in July.
Gotta scrap it.
Regarding Hendrickson, I recall reading something about the O’s possibly using him as a starter for the first month or so, which is when his ERA as a starter is in the mid 3′s traditionally. After April and May, he nose-dives. By the end of April, Rich Hill would be ready and Hendrickson would go to the ‘pen.
With Pauley officially out of the running (and likely to be waivered…I wouldn’t be surprised if he passed and got outrighted to Norfolk; he’s been Terrible), we’re down to 6 guys fighting for 3 spots. Hold onto your hats, the Suck might blow them away:
Eaton
Simon
Hendrickson
Penn
Baez
Bass
Oh, and hey – I got a little backed up with schoolwork and workwork, so I’m delaying the next issue of Break Up the Baysox until tomorrow morning – so sorry!
I actually don’t mind the Hendrickson->Hill plan that Dan mentioned. In theory. On paper. With a gun to my head.
My guess is Penn, Simon and Hendrickson out of the gate.
This has certainly been interesting to follow and I for one appreciate everyone’s updates and opinions.
The O’s are certainly as far under the radar as you can get, and this is place to quickly get updated. Thanks guys.