I was checking up on the stats down in the minors and I noticed that his last two outings were both two inning stints. Is he being converted to a full time releiver now??

yes, they know they have a full rotation right now

If that's true that he's going to become a reliever, then I would rather have traded him. With the likely loss of Olsen due to arbitration in the offseason, we need to maintain starting pitching depth in the minors.

The Marlins have starters in the minors, Tucker is likely to be a solid closer.

I like Lindstrom and Tucker as the two guys at the end of the bullpen.

Since Gaby Hernandez was traded to M's and Barone was promoted to AAA in July, so we expect someone replace that spots.

But, Tucker still had a job as a reliever, not a starter.

 

That means He is no longer starter.

Probably, he was assigned by the front as a future closer, I think.

 

It's kinda reliever and closer test.

Barone? Seriously?

 

I just don't think its a good idea to waste a good arm with the role of a one or two inning pitcher. You can find relievers and closers, but good starters are hard to find (especially when the front office prefers them cheap).

 

For example, I believe the Yankees made the right decision with Joba instead of making him a closer.

 

Meh, while Tucker struggled this year, he is young and there's really no one in the minors with better starting potential than he has.

I guess they're figuring next year's rotation can go without him. Volstad, Sanchez and A.Miller are pretty safe bets for 2009. Ricky, JJ and Olsen are possibly/probably gone due to arbitration after this season. (If they can hang on to at least 1 or 2 of the three arb guys it would be super.)

 

So to round out next year's rotation, one Hendrickson-like veteran, and then one of the prospect grouping of Badenhop, De La Cruz, Trahern (struggling at AAA), RVH, Sinkbeil, and Thompson (struggling at AA)? Then have Lindstrom, Pinto and Tucker as the core of the 'pen?

I guess they're figuring next year's rotation can go without him. Volstad, Sanchez and A.Miller are pretty safe bets for 2009. Ricky, JJ and Olsen are possibly/probably gone due to arbitration after this season. (If they can hang on to at least 1 or 2 of the three arb guys it would be super.)

 

So to round out next year's rotation, one Hendrickson-like veteran, and then one of the prospect grouping of Badenhop, De La Cruz, Trahern (struggling at AAA), RVH, Sinkbeil, and Thompson (struggling at AA)? Then have Lindstrom, Pinto and Tucker as the core of the 'pen?

 

Next year should be Miller, Volstad, Sanchez and probly JJ and RVH

Barone? Seriously?

 

I just don't think its a good idea to waste a good arm with the role of a one or two inning pitcher. You can find relievers and closers, but good starters are hard to find (especially when the front office prefers them cheap).

 

For example, I believe the Yankees made the right decision with Joba instead of making him a closer.

 

Meh, while Tucker struggled this year, he is young and there's really no one in the minors with better starting potential than he has.

You can also look at the other side and Papelbon. They kept him as the closer instead of a starter and it turned out great.

JJ

Nolasco

Miller

Volstad

Sanchez

 

I expect Olsen to get dealt

I guess they're figuring next year's rotation can go without him. Volstad, Sanchez and A.Miller are pretty safe bets for 2009. Ricky, JJ and Olsen are possibly/probably gone due to arbitration after this season. (If they can hang on to at least 1 or 2 of the three arb guys it would be super.)

 

So to round out next year's rotation, one Hendrickson-like veteran, and then one of the prospect grouping of Badenhop, De La Cruz, Trahern (struggling at AAA), RVH, Sinkbeil, and Thompson (struggling at AA)? Then have Lindstrom, Pinto and Tucker as the core of the 'pen?

 

Olsen could certainly be gone next year, but I highly doubt this team is planning on continuing without JJ or Nolasco. It's easy to see that these two are important members of this team whenever they pitch. Johnson to me looks like he is a true leader and the type of guy that you build your team around. On top of that, Nolasco is essentially our de facto ace. Despite the optimism there is still a lot of uncertainty in the rotation and I just don't see us parting with important members (I don't really qualify Olsen as important because he has been so inconsistent and has had some attitude issues).