Volstad should stay around because of his potential, but his production is pretty uninspiring. There's also the concern that his alternative could be much worse (Miller).

 

His production isn't terrible, though. It's probably 4th starter caliber.

I don't find Volstad replaceable at all, considering his service time (less than 2 full years, I think).

 

 

 

Only because this organization's SP depth is so poor. Right now, we only have 3 starting pitchers who belong in the big leagues.

 

That helps his case, but I'd still easily keep him around in a long relief role even if we had 5 bonafide starters. He's better than Burke Badenhop, too.

I just don't see the great potential with Volstad.

 

It just seems like he has regressed in every area. His GB rates continually keep going down, he allows a lot of HR's for a "sinkerballer." Maybe there's something that can be fixed with him, but I just don't see him as anything more than a backend of the rotation guy, if that. I see much more potential in Sean West, for example. Just think his stuff is a lot better. If Sanabia develops a 3rd pitch (which I'm guessing he's working on in the minors), I'll have more confidence in Sanabia, as well.

 

I also don't even know if he's better than the Hopper in relief. Hopper's near 60% GB rate this year is impressive, and his #'s are finally coming back to the type of pitcher he is. He's a pretty good reliever and has been for awhile now.

 

Another thing about Volstad is that I really question his work ethic. This might be really stupid, but whatever. For the most part, all of our starting pitchers were horrible at holding runners. Some have improved at least a bit it seems, yet Volstad doesn't look like he even cares to hold runners. A runner at 1B is like a runner at 2B when he's pitching. It's significant because he's a sinkerballer, and it's much more difficult to get a DP with a man on 2nd than it is to get it with a man on 1st. He (and West as well, really) need to work on that. At least pay attention, somewhat.

Great point Erick about his apparent "I don't care" mentality regarding baserunners. Didn't Tommy Hutton get pretty animated on this subject in the last Volstad start?

Coaching staffs and players in all sports disagree. Unless you talk to the "it's all about me" players. But because there is no way to put a stat on this.................

 

I'm not a big Wes fan but I do appreciate the things that can't be put onto stat sheets that he has contributed to the team. And from our own player quotes talking about him, so do they. Like I said, this is most likely his last year as a player. He's going into coaching, very likely with the Marlins org.

 

 

 

The players aren't going to just bash him. I'm sure he's a nice guy, so they're not going to just purposely talk badly about a teammate.

 

As far as him coaching, I wouldn't mind. As long as he's not getting paid to play anymore. Because he's no longer good at playing.

 

I'm sure you could take it that way. I'm sure we all do at times. Being PC, or talking the company jibberish....whatever way one wants to look at it.

 

But the point that you ignored was that almost every coach and player will say how veteran leadership/club house presence is pretty vital and is mostly overlooked by fans because there is no stat for it. That was the point you made that I felt was worth debating. Leadership roles are important in so many ways. In every aspect of life.

 

A Wes fan would say he's just having a bad year and most likely use his PH numbers from last seaon to back that up. No way to really argue that point unles he did come back next season and puts up decent numbers. I agree with you with the exception I'm not going as far with the bashing of him. Mostly out of respect for what I believe he has brought to this team and at a very affordable price. I think he realizes his playing days are over and I believe he will make a damn fine coach.

Great point Erick about his apparent "I don't care" mentality regarding baserunners. Didn't Tommy Hutton get pretty animated on this subject in the last Volstad start?

 

 

I don't know who told Volstad about Tommy's comment but he cared last night. It was a pleasant surprise to watch him throw out the guy on first. I wish I could remember his name.