First of all, it seems to me that :Gibson in particular doesn't pitch quite as well when rested.    The gain in velocity is more than offset by the lack of movement.    I don't know about the rest.    I absolutely agree with the logic that you should throw your 5 best out there and move the other to the pen or minors but I have a few problems with the reality.     Its not even certain that Santana is currently among the top 5 with his age, PED's and layoff.   In your list you delete Milone from the rotation.   I know you don't value ERA much but it is a fact that he has the lowest career ERA of the whole group.   You say that results from favorable conditions in Oakland but then there is the fact that he has the lowest ERA on the team this season to go along with lights out pitching in the minors.   You say small sample size but you  to at least admit that there is the possibility that he is currently the best pitcher right now and that Santana is the worst.   By going with your 5 man rotation you have now replaced your best of the 6 with the worst of the 6.    it absolutely matters who the top 5 are for your basic premise to work out favorably.   6 man rotation in that instance trumps the 5 man.   

To me, whoever the 'powers that be' figure are the best five that's the five that should be in the rotation. I'm not married to my list, it's just who I would go with. I'm not claiming my list is 100% correct.  We all have different ways we evaluate pitchers. If someone else, like you, has a different best five and the 'powers that be' agree, let's go with that five.  Doesn't matter to me.

 

The whole point was, whichever five are the best should be in the rotation instead of giving starts to the sixth best, whomever that may be.  This is, of course, if the goal is to try and wins as many games as possible this year.  I honestly don't see us making the playoffs, so maybe our course of action should be guided by different goals.

Edited July 2, 201511 yr by jimmer

I think an important note in the original article is this: "While Molitor seems open to the 6 man idea, GM Terry Ryan seems less receptive to the idea and is leaning towards replacing a current member of the rotation."

 

I believe TR is going to win this argument, and we'll be going back to debating who's the odd man out at SP.

I think we should go to a 7 man rotation. They each would have an assigned day of the week and everybody would know when they need to pitch

 

I think we should go to a 7 man rotation. They each would have an assigned day of the week and everybody would know when they need to pitch

 

Yeah, and they could get day-of-the-week underpants.

 

I think we should go to a 7 man rotation. They each would have an assigned day of the week and everybody would know when they need to pitch

But, but but...doubleheaders!

Somewhere Gardy is going 'damn, why didn't I think of that, when I was betting Mike Redmond 3rd?'

I think we should go to a 7 man rotation. They each would have an assigned day of the week and everybody would know when they need to pitch

 

 

6 man rotations takes starts away from better pitchers and give starts to inferior pitchers. It also messes with routines many have had their whole career.  It could also mean an even larger overall pitching staff and less bench.  It's not a good idea.

 

That sounds more like a generalization to me. Who might you be referring to when you speak of "inferior" and "superior" in regards to our current rotation? That's the entire issue, isn't it? 

 

I think an important note in the original article is this: "While Molitor seems open to the 6 man idea, GM Terry Ryan seems less receptive to the idea and is leaning towards replacing a current member of the rotation." I believe TR is going to win this argument, and we'll be going back to debating who's the odd man out at SP.

 

The last piece of his quote as well was basically "it sucks for whoever gets yanked" as if he knows already that is what will happen. 

“Things happen, we all know that,” Ryan told the Star Tribune. “Paul is very adept with connecting with players, I can tell you that. Most players will be very receptive. If I went to them, it might be a different story. It will be a tough decision for whoever winds up getting squeezed.” Looks like TR is going to tell Molitor who goes. Molitor will then pass on the good news, while connecting with the receptive recipient, while TR is on the first plane to Chattanooga!

Gibson can start two more times. Tuesday and Sunday. A 6 man rotation would eliminate that possibility.

 

Which of these gives the Twins the least chance to win next week?

 

Gibson v Tigers

Milone v Tigers

May v Orioles (skipping May and means Milone starts against the Orioles instead of the Tigers)

Pelfrey v Tigers

 

Isn't that how the Twins should make up their rotation? Debating the merits of the 6 man rotation is a nice exercise but the Twins are playing real games and need to decide based on their best chances to win those games.

 

Molitor needs to assess which of those gives him the best shot at winning games.

 

To me, whoever the 'powers that be' figure are the best five that's the five that should be in the rotation. I'm not married to my list, it's just who I would go with. I'm not claiming my list is 100% correct.  We all have different ways we evaluate pitchers. If someone else, like you, has a different best five and the 'powers that be' agree, let's go with that five.  Doesn't matter to me.

 

The whole point was, whichever five are the best should be in the rotation instead of giving starts to the sixth best, whomever that may be.  This is, of course, if the goal is to try and wins as many games as possible this year.  I honestly don't see us making the playoffs, so maybe our course of action should be guided by different goals.

Like I said the logic is unassailable but the execution is questionable.   it does matter who the best 5 are which is not solved by who makes out the list.    Its  why I wanted Santana to start out in the bullpen and simply wait until performance or injury sorts it out.   I think all the current starters have earned their way to keep going right now.   

My last point here is that the rotation has been what has kept us in it.   The offense has been spotty at best and the relief corps has been suspect also.   Putting Santana in the pen will strengthen a weakness without weakening our strength.   Depth is great as long as we have the order correct.

 

Like I said the logic is unassailable but the execution is questionable.   it does matter who the best 5 are which is not solved by who makes out the list.    Its  why I wanted Santana to start out in the bullpen and simply wait until performance or injury sorts it out.   I think all the current starters have earned their way to keep going right now.   

Just so you know, I put Santana in there only because he's absolutely going to be put in there by the team and this is thread about whether or not we should go from a 5 man rotation to a 6 man rotation. I'm on the side of the 5 man rotation and I've given reasons why.

 

There is another thread about who should be the odd man out to maintain a 5 man rotation (titled 'Odd SP out')where the debate on who the five should be rages on. Your thoughts about where Santana should fit on the team when he returns is ideally put there.  It'd be an interesting debate for sure.

Edited July 3, 201511 yr by jimmer

The only reason to start Pelfrey is to build up his value. Yet, if he has no value beyond this year with the Twins, getting something, anything for him woiuld be better than having him prevent someone,say May, from starting. At this point, he is not a necessity in the rotation. And what happens when Nolasco needs to come abck and pitch because of his salary. The Twins need to think hard about anyone WHO WILL NOT BE WITH THE TEAM IN 2016 and what they actually contribute to the team and their chances for winning this year during the all-star break. Pelfrey isn't a necessity. If Noalsco can continue to win (if he pitches again this year) you can always send him thru waivers and if some team wants him abd enough, elt him go. Blow apart the bullpen. You can't rely on some guys in a pressure situation. Yes, they MAY perform, but we have to look beyound the maybees. We can always find a maybee and let's give some of those other guys a chance (Oliveros, Achter and even Darnel, let alone Rogers and, now that he had a taste of major leage money, meals and travel, Alex Meyer. )