July 10, 200521 yr What harm? Well in what can be measured, the additional $150K that would be spent having his replacement join the big leagues. I agree completly about getting players as they're progressing to peak form, but it's not as if this is a move that has to be made. The on field impact is marginal at best. The immediate off-field impact and the rest of this season is questionable. I agree it doesn't have to be made. There are bigger problems than Leiter who is gone after this year. But he is one of them. Bigger problems IMO in order: 1)Jack McKeon 2)Hitting and Bill Robinson 3)Mike Lowell 4)A.J Burnett 5)Leiter
July 11, 200521 yr They should just use Nate Bump in Beckett's spot until he returns. I know Bump is not everyone's favorite, but at least the team might feel it has a shot, instead of the impending doom they must feel when Al takes the mound. Just make Leiter the mopup guy for when we have 20 run leads. Or when we're already down by 7 runs in the 8th inning and don't want to waste any more relievers. I feel for Leiter, I really do. The guy has been a star in this game. But the coaches and front office have got to be able to see some signs that he might improve to justify keeping him in the rotation or even in meaningful bullpen duty. And from what I've seen, there's been no sign of improvement.
July 11, 200521 yr With Beckett and Valdez out... yes. Beckett back: Willis, Burnett, Beckett, Moehler, Olson Leiter in the pen as injury / tropical weather insurance
July 11, 200521 yr I agree it doesn't have to be made. There are bigger problems than Leiter who is gone after this year. But he is one of them. Bigger problems IMO in order: 1)Jack McKeon 2)Hitting and Bill Robinson 3)Mike Lowell 4)A.J Burnett 5)Leiter 849978[/snapback] 1) Hitting overall 2) Pitching Injuries 3) Mike Lowell 4) Juan Pierre 5) Juan Encarnacion
July 11, 200521 yr The only option for Leiter is to release him, as painful as that sounds. It's clear we that when Beckett gets back, and then Valdez, that Leiter will be the 7th choice to start. It makes no sense to keep him in the pen. The last thing you want a reliever to do is come into a game and start giving away free passes. I don't see a future for him in the pen. We already have Bump and soon will have Valdez for long relief and/or emergency starts.
July 11, 200521 yr They should just use Nate Bump in Beckett's spot until he returns. I know Bump is not everyone's favorite, but at least the team might feel it has a shot, instead of the impending doom they must feel when Al takes the mound. Just make Leiter the mopup guy for when we have 20 run leads. Or when we're already down by 7 runs in the 8th inning and don't want to waste any more relievers. I feel for Leiter, I really do. The guy has been a star in this game. But the coaches and front office have got to be able to see some signs that he might improve to justify keeping him in the rotation or even in meaningful bullpen duty. And from what I've seen, there's been no sign of improvement. 850167[/snapback] I agree totally...we haven't seen Bump get a spot start this year and look at what Leiter's been doing...he can't really be worse.
July 11, 200521 yr Leiter is the 11/12th guy on the staff. The impact is marginal at best. 849942[/snapback] His "impact" was certainly felt today. 850125[/snapback] Only because Jack was fooled by his sole relief outing.
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