8 pitchers, 7 spots -- Who makes the bullpen?

by Blue on Mar 12, 2006 3:01 AM EST

RHP Belisle
RHP Coffey
RHP Wagner
RHP Weathers
RHP White
LHP Hammond
LHP Mercker
LHP Shackelford

The four vets are virtual locks, and so is Coffey. Wagner has tremendous potential and has been pitching well since his first Spring appearance. Belisle did not have a defined role on the staff last season, but showed tremendous potential as a late inning reliver, posting good K totals and a good GB/FB ratio. Shackelford pitched some fine baseball last season and is having a good Spring.

Who doesn't make the cut?

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re:

The problem is that you're asking that question about the MAJOR league bullpen rather than Louisville starters/bullpen....

All of those guys have showed flashes of promise (if not brilliance) but pretty much only Mercker/Weathers/Hammond are legitimate major league quality right now - and Hammond of course isn't 20 something anymore....

It would be "kind of" exciting to have all those guys down at AA/AAA and wondering who can develop? etc..etc.. see them all competing for a chance with the big club....

But the reality of seeing most of them as likely to be with the big club is a little depressing - particularly when you have a group of starters who ALL need significant innings of relief help pretty much every time out.

Enough with the Homeruns and Strikeouts

by MichaelRed on Mar 13, 2006 10:54 AM EST reply actions

bullpen quandry

I'd love to see Weathers and Merker packaged to a major contending team in need of bullpen help and just hand over the reigns to the young guys.

Say - the Red Sox for Bronson Arroyo?

Make that trade, and you could add Mike Burns and that solves your quandry. And strengthens the rotation.

by jmcclain19 on Mar 14, 2006 10:57 PM EST reply actions

Arroyo

I'd rather they trade those two guys for a prospect. Did you see Arroyo get shelled yesterday against the Reds? Didn't the first 5 Reds to face him score?

by Brian B on Mar 15, 2006 10:49 AM EST up reply actions