Originally Posted by
mth123
I'll go rushed/underperforming rotation guys. Partially because of injury (Castillo, Minor, Lodolo), partially because some guys were taken out of the oven a bit too soon and we're looking for improvement as the year goes on (Greene, Lodolo), a couple guys who just aren't very good (Vlad, SanMartin) and one mystery (Mahle). My purely speculative theory is Mahle is putting too much pressure on himself to be the man. Last year he was surrounded by solid to very good vets with Gray, Miley and Castillo, Without them so far this year, he became the default opening day starter and "the man" everyone was looking to when order needed to be restored. I really wonder if that has been in his head. It will be interesting to see how he improves now that Castillo is back to take that burden. Of course he could just get better because he's better than he's pitched and it would have nothing to do with any of that. Still I wonder if it's having an effect. I also wonder if it's effecting Greene as well.
In the bullpen, I just think they need better guys. Warren is a 29 year old who has been a minor league shuttle guy his whole career. He shows flashes, but I'm not trusting that he's suddenly a late inning reliever. at age 29 when he couldn't stick in the big leagues until now. It happens, but not something to plan on IMO. . Maybe worth a shot as the 8th guy in the pen to see what happens, but his 20 good innings or so last year don't make him a fireman or closer. Same goes for Sims. Other than 25 or so innings in the Covid year, he's been a 5+ ERA guy his whole career. I'd need a lot more than 25 innings in a weird year to convince me of anything different. Moreta is a minor league reliever. That already makes him a lesser pitcher than a minor league starter. These guys are the longest of shots. Most good big league relievers are guys who were solid starting prospects in the minor leagues. Santillan is a first year guy (not sure if he still qualifies as a rookie). I think he has the stuff, but guys breaking in have bumps in the Road. Cessa seems to be pitching to what he is, which is OK as a multi-inning guy for the middle innings. Hoffman was a highly regarded starting prospect once upon a time. Maybe he's figured it out as a reliever, but its too soon to trust it. Diaz, so far, so good, but see comments about Moreta. Wilson was doing well before he was injured. He has many solid seasons before last year's debacle. He may be Ok when he's back, but I like him better as the second lefty. This team lacks a proven, "can face all comers and doesn't need to be matched up" closer, a late inning lefty and maybe another late inning fireman type.
All these guys are potential big leaguers, but none are proven high leverage guys and forcing them into that role is gong to lead to a lot of trial and error. That's what we are seeing.