Are the Twins About to Build a Radically Unconventional Pitching Staff?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

On 11/14/2021 at 11:56 AM, Nick Nelson said:

I don't think anyone's actually suggesting the usage would be this rigid. Theoretically guys like Ryan and Ober will still go 5 innings frequently. There will also still be shorter-burst relievers like Alcala and Duffey for the late innings. Mostly the concept here is about shifting away from the idea that a SP has to go 5+ innings or it's a failure. Instead, you can plan around frequent short starts or piggyback situations.

The way this plays out in practice would be fluid. But I think with a 14-man staff you can accommodate it.

And you can get by with a 14 man pitching staff if you have fewer fielding specialists and no full time DH. So instead of having a team full of Starters, Relievers, closers, First Basemen, DHs, etc.. .You have "Pitchers" and "Hitters"? 

[Mike Sixel]

I mean, I've suggested this for years for bad teams......

2 "real starters", maybe even 1 "bad" one as your fifth pitcher.

7-10 pitchers in the majors and AAA that pitch 3 or so innings each. You need 2-3 of those a game, plus your bullpen. 

Each pitcher needs less pitches to succeed in this, because the hitters don't see them more than twice, ever. They can go more all out every outing. 

It is about as likely, or more, to work as having 3 terrible starting pitchers on the roster......maybe even better because you can plan for the short outings.

[MN_ExPat]

3 hours ago, Sconnie said:

And you can get by with a 14 man pitching staff if you have fewer fielding specialists and no full time DH. So instead of having a team full of Starters, Relievers, closers, First Basemen, DHs, etc.. .You have "Pitchers" and "Hitters"? 

Would that honestly be so bad?  Don't get me wrong, I/we all have our favorite players and "superstars" that we love to watch play.  But if I'm being truly honest with myself... I love the game itself more, and a team that is like a swiss army knife, and truly gels and blends, is just fun to watch and follow.

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 minutes ago, MN_ExPat said:

Would that honestly be so bad?  Don't get me wrong, I/we all have our favorite players and "superstars" that we love to watch play.  But if I'm being truly honest with myself... I love the game itself more, and a team that is like a swiss army knife, and truly gels and blends, is just fun to watch and follow.

 

With superstars like Shohei Ohtani & Cody Bellinger playing multiple positions. We think back fondly to LNP and Cesar Tovar, and now get to watch Arraez and Tortuga. It does enhance the game when players just play. 

I like the Craig Counsell "out-getter" concept.

[old nurse]

28 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

That also requires 12 very good pitchers.  We never have 12 very good three inning pitchers and with injuries and other considerations it really requires 15 - 18 pitchers to complete the year.  I do not know any staff that has that many good arms. 

Nothing said it was an all or none proposition for the team. No one advocated that. A 3 inning good pitcher should get the team further than a bad starter. 

[Doc Munson]

On 11/14/2021 at 11:51 AM, Major League Ready said:

The other teams don't recognize the same benefits from signing a top pitcher?  Plus, if he brought in 5,000 extra fans who all spent $100 that would not cover half his salary.  That's assuming he had the same impact in road games.

yes, I am nto saying he would offset 100% of his contract. What I am saying is a team who dwould otherwise not sell as many tickets woudl have a dispraportionate benefit from signing a hihg end player than a team who consistently fills seats.  that was really my point.  disregard my weird specifics. lol

 

[Greglw3]

On 11/12/2021 at 12:11 AM, Mill1634 said:

This is a fun idea in theory, but you’re going to run into an overtaxed bullpen at some point when Pineda only gives you three innings and now you’re having to use those guys who you were going to use in the 3 inning games that day to cover for him. I do not think we see the end to the “bulk” pitcher for a long while, especially with the talent many young pitchers have shown. 

I agree with you. I think they are headed for that, but yet they could still salvage a conventional rotation with Stroman, Duffy and Pineda, maybe an Oakland and/or Marlins starter. Maybe the Buxton situation is gumming up the works.