Assuming we only carry 12 pitchers, 5 being the starters... so 7 spots.

 

9th Gregg

8th Owens/Tank

7th Messenger/Pinto

6th Lindstrom/Gardner

 

 

Obviously thats not an exact science.. but I think Gregg in the closers role with Tank and Owens mowing people down in the setup role could be fine. I know Gregg hasnt been popular with some but I like what I see from the guy. And if Owens is still lights out in to the season, by all means, put him at closer. Same goes for Tank if Pinto can be trusted as the lone lefty.

 

 

 

..and yes, I know I'm in denial about Julio. Fredi said its still his spot but it makes me sick we have to keep a spot for him when Tank is back.. especially when hes the ONLY one who has pitched his way out of deserving a roster spot. But its still fun to speculate anyway.

when tanks comes back..I agree with what Iowa has.

 

but after he's had a couple of appearances:

 

9th-Tank

8th-Gregg

7th-Owens/Lindstrom

9th Owens

8th Gregg/Tank

7th Messenger/Lindstrom

6th Pinto/Gardner

 

I might be a little more optimistic than some but I think this bullpen has a ton of potential. We have too many hard throwing young guys and I wouldn't mind trying one out in the closer's role. Just imagine what it could be like with Kensing and Martinez.....

still haven't seen enough of Gardner yet, but I like him so far.

 

I'd go with Owens for closer, with Gardner or Lindstrom as backup plans

 

Tank is my 8th inning setup guy.

 

Everyone else mix & match, I don't think you really need defined roles other than 8th & 9th.

I don't want Gregg closing one because I haven't found him overly impressive, and two because I think his versatility (two innings, no problem) and his splitter making him a good strikeout/groundout pitcher suit him better for middle relief cleaning up other's messes.

 

I'd close Owens or Tank and throw the other in set-up. Me, I'd go with Tank to close and Owens in set-up, but it could go the other way and I'd be fine. Why? Because I think Tank's got a better breaking ball than Owens (making him the better strikeout pitcher) and I think Owens seems to generate a lot more ground outs/quick outs...whereas Tank is more of a flyball pitcher. To me, that makes Tank more suited to pitch with no one on base in a close game...and less likely to allow rallys.

 

I don't think we should ride the hot hand in Gardner into a defined role (hell, I'd rather see him be the first guy out there with that tough sinker anyway) or fall in love with velocity on Lindstrom. Both of those guys should still see plenty of action though.

Tank is the set up guy. Lindstrom should be the closer. Dude throws 100...But Gardner reminds me of Todd Jones or Bob Wickman. He doesn't have best stuff but I think he will do a good job. If he keeps doing well, Pinto is gonna get a ticket back to the minors when Tank gets back.

Other than closer, I don't think it's real necessary to have the players pigeon-holed in what innings they should pitch. I am a bit worried about the 'pen, as no starter has gone seven innings yet this year, IIRC.

I think Lindstrom will get sent down, unless Gardner implodes in the next few days.

 

I say:

 

9: Owens/ Tank (vs. Lefty's)

8: Tank/ Owens

7:I don't care... go with the hot hand

10-Run Lead Mopup: Jason Wood, if necessary Julio

I'd put Owens in at closer, and have Tank set up. Also, I'd designate Julio's arse for assignment, but I know better than to hope for that to happen.

I think Lindstrom will get sent down, unless Gardner implodes in the next few days.

 

I say:

 

9: Owens/ Tank (vs. Lefty's)

8: Tank/ Owens

7:I don't care... go with the hot hand

10-Run Lead Mopup: Jason Wood, if necessary Julio

I like the idea of swapping Owens and Tank in the 8th and 9th based on matchups. For Middle relief I would say Gardner as the 1st option followed by Shooter, and have Gregg go when we need more than one inning. If Kranitz is able to work with Julio and correct some things I think he still could be a pretty useful middle reliever.

Closer - Owens

Setup - Tank/Gregg

Relief - Pinto, Messenger, Julio, Gardner

AAA - Lindstrom

It all depends on who gets sent down. As far as Tank goes, setup man and situational lefty.

7th , 8th, and 9th I would like to see some combination of Tank, Owens & Lindstrom. I (like many I'm sure) possibly overestimate the value of this, but Lindstrom's heat at the tail end of game, vs either tired starters or cold PHs seems like a nice match. That said, Tank and Owens are likely more prepared for the role, but I think Lindstrom has that one naturally better tool. Messenger could fit into this too, and hell, if all of them maintain good performances, our bullpen might even be a strength this season, long term.

 

Lefty specialist: Pinto. Obvious, but I find it somewhat dissapointing. I remember seeing him come in for long relief last season, giving like 4 IP in relief of Nolasco, and doing it well.

 

Long relief - Gregg. It's what he does :thumbup

 

Fireman - Gardner. What else can I say about a guy coming into the 9th Inning with the bases loaded and not allowing a run? When someone else screws up, this is the guy I'm going to trust right now to clean up the mess.

 

Released: Julio. I hope he turns it around, but all things staying as they are, it seems like a no-brainer. Send him down or do something.

Closer- Owens

8th- Tank/Lindstrom

7th- Gardner/Messenger

Long Relief- Gregg/Pinto

Lefty Specialist- Pinto

Mop-up- Julio :thumbdown

Personally I think Pinto went way overboard in innings pitched and the length of his winter league season and as such ought to be DLed or sent to Albuquerque for a two or three week no-throwing "vacation". Come July it will have been worth it. Others will disagree but I think he has tremendous potential if carefully used over the next two +/- months.

 

I know why he did it, and how he got caught off in the WL playoffs and Series, but the guy spread himself too thin and it's becoming obvious his arm is tired. When Tankersley comes back it's time for an "oops my back hurts" fifteen+ trip to the DL.

Can we just put Julio on the 60-day DL?

Hell I would break his arm myself if that is what's needed

Closer - Owens

Setup - Tank/Gregg

Relief - Pinto, Messenger, Julio, Gardner

AAA - Lindstrom

looks good.

 

only an idiot (Beinfest is not) DFA's Julio after 3 appearances, although his role certainly needs to be reduced big-time.

 

If I remember correctly Gregg hasn't performed well with men on base in the past.

like we have a track record for the rest of these guys?

 

anyway, I agree with swifty in that Gregg is more valuable as a swing-man type.

Lindstrom has done nothing to deserve a demotion to the minors, in all fairness Pinto should be the one to go to Triple A if it came to that

either/or. Beinfest is not silly enough to DFA Julio after 3 appearances, so it will likely be one or the other.

You can't make a trade for someone and pay him 3 mill and realease him after 1 week but damn, if you ever were to do it for someone it would be for Julio. He has just been atrocious, not bad but nighmarishly horrible. I remember when the term Mendoza line was originated for hitters, now we may have a new term for relievers...The Julio line!

I feel what you're saying...he has been downright awful. Still, he needs chances..just not closing games.

Lindstrom has done nothing to deserve a demotion to the minors, in all fairness Pinto should be the one to go to Triple A if it came to that

Pinto should go back to work on his wildness. He has some pretty good stuff but if he cant throw strikes what is the use?

We've yet to see how each of these guys (the list mentioned above for the various bullpen roles from long relief to closer) does when he has an off-day and how they work through it.

 

It's probably more important to see how they function when they don't have their stuff, or the other team is playing tee time or the baseball god's are simply in the mood to inflict some punishment.

 

What happens to Matt Lindstrom when a couple of those long flyball outs he's been getting turn into back to back homeruns? What happens when Gardner's sinker doesn't or Tankersley can't find the outside corner or Messenger's fastball flattens out again? How do they respond? How do they come back in their next appearance?

 

That's when we'll see what these guys are made of and how they should be used. Until then it's anyone's guess.