Here’s a look at how the Indians pitching staff is shaping up. They are planning on carrying 12 pitchers. It wasn’t that long ago that pitching staff went north with 10 pitchers, and trimmed it down to 9 after April. Those days, the big question was whether to carry a third catcher. According to this article, Wedge is trying to decide if he wants to spare outfielders or two spare infielders.
Part of the dilution of pitching is this expansion of the bullpen staff. Yes, expansion has contributed, but growing a staff from 10 to 12 also adds a lot of pitchers who don’t really have the talent to be in the majors. I’ve always thought that 10 pitchers and 15 position players is the right mix. That way, you have enough lefty-righty bats on the bench for any batting situation, and you can carry a couple of defensive wizards to fill in late in the game for your lumbering sluggers. I’d love to see a team go back to 10 pitchers.
I’m not sure I agree 100%. Maybe if the full focus is on making the playoffs, but not if the focus is still on developing for 2005 like the Tribe.
Consider this: 10 pitchers means 6 bench position players. If the focus is on contending AT BEST come July, why break camp with all this talent you hope to develop riding the bench?
Look at the AAA roster. Top to bottom this is a lineup that could rival Sand Diego and Detroit today. Why put yourself in a corner, forcing several of these players to play 5 ABs a week at best?
Now, pitching…. why limit yourself to 5 relievers when your staff carried the 4th best ERA yet had more blown saves than just about anyone? Why NOT break camp with 12 pitchers? After all, it’s a given that your starters tired last year. How do you fix this? By ZTotally revamping the relief staff and then saying you KNOW the roles that EVERYONE has? No way.
Admittedly, the AL Central is very weak. So how about noting the roster come August before saying carrying 12 pitchers is 2 too many. If the Indians are within 5 games and STILL has the best offensive AAA team while carrying 12 pitchers on their roster…. well, I’m guessing most people would be kicking themselves for not putting money on them at 150-1 odds to win it all.
No, 12 pitchers is IMHO exactly what this team should be doing for the moment.
It won’t go back to 10-15 any time soon. The batters take more pitches than they did in the 10-15 days. More pitches means you need more pitchers.