Lack of SPs

[Northsider]

Given that the Cubs have very little starting pitching right now, and the fact that starting pitching is a premium on the market this year, would it be a good idea to go with a four-man rotation this year, getting another pair of pitchers that consistently have 200+ innings?

 

Z is probably capable of starting 40 some games - and is better on three days rest, if I'm not mistaken. Hill seems to have enough stamina (2 CGs in 17? starts last year).

 

Perhaps getting an FA(Lilly?) and/or Westbrook, then using Miller as fourth starter (if we get just 1) or long man, would be a better option than trying to fill out all 3 holes remaining in a 5-man rotation. Also, it would allow Hendry to keep his 7-man pen and still have 11 pitchers.

 

Thoughts?

[Garwilly]

We could also go with a seven man defensive lineup so Lee, Aram, etc bat more often :shock:

[tkenm356]

110 years ago, I might've said yes.

[Sarcastic]

Given that the Cubs have very little starting pitching right now, and the fact that starting pitching is a premium on the market this year, would it be a good idea to go with a four-man rotation this year, getting another pair of pitchers that consistently have 200+ innings?

 

Z is probably capable of starting 40 some games - and is better on three days rest, if I'm not mistaken. Hill seems to have enough stamina (2 CGs in 17? starts last year).

 

Perhaps getting an FA(Lilly?) and/or Westbrook, then using Miller as fourth starter (if we get just 1) or long man, would be a better option than trying to fill out all 3 holes remaining in a 5-man rotation. Also, it would allow Hendry to keep his 7-man pen and still have 11 pitchers.

 

Thoughts?

 

I expect that they will only get two starting pitchers. The fifth spot in the rotation will be manned by Prior, Miller, or a AAA pitcher depending on health. I don't think it is a good idea to overwork Zambrano more than we already have, and I'm not sure how it would affect the starters' health and ability, so I'm against a four man rotation.

[b_wiggy_66]

This may be one of the worst ideas I've ever heard.

[TruffleShuffle]

I'm not completely convinced that a 4-man rotation couldn't work, if an organization would have its guys pitching on less rest the minute they're drafted/signed - BUT, all these guys have been pitching in rotations with at least 5 pitchers, so I think the effects would be disastrous. Especially since you might have guys like Prior, Miller and Marshall in the rotation, whose arms are held on by twine and duct tape.

[goonys evil twin]

I wouldn't have a problem with it in theory, I do have a problem of just switching over right now. I'm pretty sure Zambrano would implode with such a move. Had he been used to such a routine then maybe he could handle it. But I don't like drastically changing usage of guys.

[cheapseats]

This may be one of the worst ideas I've ever heard.

 

No, Earl Weaver is right about the benefits of a 4-man rotation. There's been extensive research that shows a 4-man rotation is no more likely to cause injury to pitchers than a 5-man rotation.

 

5-man rotations started with the Dodgers many years ago, IIRC, and it was because they had 5 good starters, not because they were concerned about injury.

 

I know the Reds tried it a few years ago, but it didn't work so well, mainly because their manager was leaving starters in for 130+ pitches.

 

The key is strictly limiting pitches per start. If pitchers are managed correctly, they'll be more effective and they'll actually see more innings even if they're on a low pitch count. It makes sense to have your best pitchers throw the most innings, right?

 

The Cubs won't do it because they're among the most conservative teams in a conservative sport, but Will Carroll indicated that one MLB team is looking at doing it in 2007.

 

Rany Jazayerli's research is available to BP subscribers here:

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1596

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1605

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1622

[WrigleyField 22]

We could also go with a seven man defensive lineup so Lee, Aram, etc bat more often :shock:

 

I think Murton and Soriano could play a mean left/center and right/center.

[Derwood]

A straight up 4 man rotation? No. But I do wish that Piniella would skip the 5th guy every time an off day comes along. How often (especially in the first half) does a guy REALLY need an extra day rest? Unless his manager has had him out there 130 pitches a start, of course

[Rob]

Theoretically, there's also no more chance of injury with a 3-man rotation, but very strict (read: low) pitch counts.

 

Actually, I'd be interested in running a three man tandem rotation.

 

Z/Miller

Hill/Wood

Prior/Marshall

 

Get 3-4 innings from each pitcher. Carry four relievers on the roster... It gives us a lot more people on the bench to mess around with. Plus, we wouldn't be throwing crappy guys like Novoa out there.

 

Then again, it'd all be shot to hell the second one of them goes down with an injury.

[cheapseats]

A straight up 4 man rotation? No. But I do wish that Piniella would skip the 5th guy every time an off day comes along. How often (especially in the first half) does a guy REALLY need an extra day rest? Unless his manager has had him out there 130 pitches a start, of course

 

Why not a 4 man rotation? There's no reason not to do it, and plenty of reasons to do it.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

While we are at it, let's have our Bullpen start the game, pitch the first 1-2 innings and then bring in the rotation guys to finish it off.

[Geech]

While we are at it, let's have our Bullpen start the game, pitch the first 1-2 innings and then bring in the rotation guys to finish it off.

 

I'm sure you intended for this post to have a point, but it did not come across as such.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The Cubs won't do it because they're among the most conservative teams in a conservative sport, but Will Carroll indicated that one MLB team is looking at doing it in 2007.

 

Do you know what that team is?

[cheapseats]

While we are at it, let's have our Bullpen start the game, pitch the first 1-2 innings and then bring in the rotation guys to finish it off.

 

While he didn't go through with it, at least Lou was willing to think about doing things differently. The point is to have your best pitchers pitch the most innings, and Tampa's starters weren't doing very well.

[cheapseats]

The Cubs won't do it because they're among the most conservative teams in a conservative sport, but Will Carroll indicated that one MLB team is looking at doing it in 2007.

 

Do you know what that team is?

 

No, and going back and looking at the chat, Carroll was actually talking about tandem starters. I don't have any idea about which team would be considering it. I wouldn't be surprised if it were Colorado. They considered going with a 4-man rotation in 2004, but lineup shuffles prevented them from doing so.

[UK1679666180]

Given that the Cubs have very little starting pitching right now, and the fact that starting pitching is a premium on the market this year, would it be a good idea to go with a four-man rotation this year, getting another pair of pitchers that consistently have 200+ innings?

 

Z is probably capable of starting 40 some games - and is better on three days rest, if I'm not mistaken. Hill seems to have enough stamina (2 CGs in 17? starts last year).

 

Perhaps getting an FA(Lilly?) and/or Westbrook, then using Miller as fourth starter (if we get just 1) or long man, would be a better option than trying to fill out all 3 holes remaining in a 5-man rotation. Also, it would allow Hendry to keep his 7-man pen and still have 11 pitchers.

 

Thoughts?

 

40 games at 4-5 innings per start is about the same as 33-35 games at 6IP per start. The arm extra needed in the pen will likely be below the quality of arm that the 5th starter takes up.

[TB_11]

With Piniella as manager, a four-man rotation might get overworked.

[UK1679666180]

With Piniella as manager, a four-man rotation might get overworked.

 

Is that before or after the 1st weekend in April has concluded?