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Has he? From Laws report he is still very poor in recognizing breaking pitches. He needs a lot of work in that area.

I don't think they are yet. Once Jimenez and Hendriks get back and going then we can assess.

It will be the same innings regardless if he us a starter or reliever.

I think they can do it either way. Innings are innings at this point. It will take 2 years to get up spot starter innings. Probably 3 to get to 150 that's if his body can take it without injury. That's the big unknown. He has never done it so can he handle it.

That's why he's being used as a reliever in the MLB. He still gets to the same innings limit but it's spaced out throughout the year and it's useful innings as he's learning ti get out MLB hitters. I would think 60-70 innings. He will have an entire year to condition his arm, trunk and legs for the season.

Something more insidious probably happened. It was an organization decision. Not the blame of a single person without the input from others.

Maybe but ERA is very volatile as you say. I would look more at the WHIP and K or K rate when signing a reliever. Thise tend to be more consistent and indicative of performance. Although they still vary as you said.

Wanted to Haseley an at bat?

Correct. Which is why they needed to keep the innings at a reliever level for 2 years, regardless of the MLB or minors.

There were a lot of relievers with a .98 WHIP and 3+ K/Bb ratio?

It makes sense due to his injury. However I don't think I've ever heard of it put into a contract. I wonder if it changes due to his additional IL stint.

That plan would work. I just don't see much difference from it and doing what they did with Kopech. Building innings is building innings. Once they get to that critical number, starting can happen. It will be tough after missing a year due to the injury. Just depends on how patient they want to be. It will another 2 years of building innings to starter level.

Would you have pitched Crochet every 5th day and shut him down in July? Or pitch him 3 innings or so every start for the season? That about what his innings limit would have allowed.

Well sure. It's not like they promoted a AA player straight to the MLB for a couple if days or anything. They always refuse to promote players.

Of course he didn't want to get sent down. However I'm sure he was stunned and elated to get the call as he wasn't the most obvious choice. It more enjoying the fact he got the call more than he was sent down. I'm sure he absolutely loved the experience.

Yes it sucks to get your time toward FA started and to get that MLB check and per diem.

That's the job of sports media. Get everyone riled up for ratings.

Fair enough.

I think they will need a catcher as well. It doesn't bode well for a catcher to miss significant time for knee issues then back issues in consecutive season. The problem will be to find a quality catcher willing to play 50-75% of the time.

Of course they do. However most of them incur some type of interest and you're right it's usually for business growth not payroll.

You would be really selling low and get almost nothing for Grandal and Moncada. Players returning from injury and having poor seasons don't have much value.

Good in philosophy but the only old players you are trading is Abreu, I guess Graveman and Hendriks may fall in that category as well. The veterans are signed for a couple more years to coincide with the contracts of young players such as Robert, Moncada and Jimenez. Yes they can acquire bullpen pieces after trading bullpen pieces but why take the chance they won't work out when they already have them? They are attempting to win now and they won't be making any mass player trades. They may trade one or at most two but why weaken the team at this point. Didnt we have this discussion during the rebuild and your position was sacrifice everyting to each season as this season is the only one you can win?

I'm game for this attempt.

No. But the franchise value is until its sold.

If they are trading bullpen pieces for other bullpen pieces what's the point? They may not win this year but they won't next year without some talent in the pen. With the ones you're trading the o ly one left is Bummer The good two way players aren't usually on the market even for WS contenders at least nothing close to MLB ready.