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They really overuse it as they limit a few starters to 2 times through the lineup.

The starting pitchers never quite seem ready for the first inning.

69 Cubs by far. They blew an 8 game lead late in the season. With multiple HOF players in the team. If the Sox continue like this, they were never in it.

You would think so. That is why the offense sucks. One is happening without the other. They are 27th in pitches per plate appearance. it looks like they are putting the ball in earlier so not striking out but not walking either.

The more glaring issue may be that they are dead last in walks. They are 5th in average and 25th in strikeouts. It appears part of their philosophy this year has been to strikeouts less which they have done. However it has come with a dramatic decrease in power and walks.

Good thing I qualify then. Also German/Irish

Agreed. That's why Burger is the logical choice.

Pollock?

Burger has hardly played since Moncada came back and he doesn't ay the OF so they are really independent. It's more can he out produce Sheets/Haseley.

True, at least not good ones.

There is more to progress than raw numbers. If he is truly having that much difficulty with breaking besides emotional maturity he may benefit from staying where he is.

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.