Building a Better Bullpen

by Rev Halofan on Mar 26, 2008 1:54 AM PDT

Without Scot Shields and Chris Bootcheck at least for the first week of April, the Angels' bullpen is going to welcome some new cast members to the other side of the Left Field fence. Who will they be and what will their roles be?

Obviously, Francisco Rodriguez will be the Closer. Justin Speier will be the 8th inning Set-Up arm in those games where we have a lead in the 8th. He might even come in with an out or two in the 7th if the tight squeeze is making whoever is on the mound sweat.

Returning from last season will be lefty Darren Oliver. Manager Mike Scioscia has no problem using his lone bullpen southpaw against batters of either leaning and this could lead to Oliver being the 7th inning arm, at least at the season's outset. With two men down in the pen, Dustin Moseley becomes a longer shot to make the rotation and is the logical long man

The two spots remaining are that ambiguous territory of games of various odd description: Ones where the long man came in early and has pitched 5 and we are still down by 3; Ones where we tie it up in the 6th but the starter has thrown 100 pitches; Ones where we are up by 7 runs in the 8th and the starter is gassed (let's hope for lots of those!). There are days when the pen is tired and the regular reliables are not going to come in at all.

For those spots it comes down to two of three pitchers: Darren O'Day, Rich Thompson or Jason Bulger. O'Day is a near lock with 14 strikeouts in 15.2 spring innings pitched. Thompson and Bulger are a deep step down from that height, and it is neck and neck with Bulger's 9 Ks in 9 IP perhaps giving him the edge. Look for these two to see action over the next few days to determine the final member of the pen until Shields or Bootcheck get healthy.

The team may decide to carry 7 relievers for the Minnesota trip - just in case - and then bring "up" Nick Adenhart to start Game 5 (the home opener); should this happen, look for Kelvim Escobar to go onto the 60-Day disabled list to ensure that no player will have to get cut from the 40-man roster for all of these technicalities on the roster to be accomplished.

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Interesting.

I think I would prefer Bulger, just because, in the games I've seen him play in AAA, he's performed quite well, and Thompson really hasn't. Tough call though. Hopefully it turns into another Reggie Willits/Tommy Murphy situation where one of them just steps up and proves that he's better, so it makes the decision easy and painless.

john RIP samo

by angels4adam on Mar 26, 2008 2:21 AM PDT 0 recs

Thompson

Hasn't issued a walk in 10.1 innings this spring with 8 k's to boot. On top of it he was awesome in AA and AAA last year with a low 2's ERA and sub 1 WHIP. He was also over a K an inning. Bulger has nothing on this kid.

Sea-at-ha-ha-ha that's funny.

by hauldog on Mar 26, 2008 2:29 AM PDT 0 recs

13.58 K/9

That's what Bulger did at SLC last year. That's what he has on Thompson (and a career 10K/9 in the minors), versus Thompson's 12.15 in 2007 and 8.83 career.

by jjackflash on Mar 26, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

While his 2007 K's/9 is nice

24 BB's in 52.2 innings is frightening.

Thompson has a WHIP under 1 and Bulger was up to 1.42. The K's are nice but the kid can't keep it over the plate.

Sea-at-ha-ha-ha that's funny.

by hauldog on Mar 26, 2008 3:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

Moseley

I do agree that he should be in the pen. If he isn't we have too many holes to fill.

Sea-at-ha-ha-ha that's funny.

by hauldog on Mar 26, 2008 2:33 AM PDT 0 recs

Until Lackey comes back

I'd like to see Moseley in the pen, along with O'Day and Thompson, with Adenhart taking the 5 slot.

When Lackey comes back, you option Adenhart back to AAA. If Bootcheck comes back soon, you put Thompson back in AAA too. I think we should carry O'Day though... we need a sidewinder. It throws hitters off like crazy.

Bring up Wood!!!

by howiestheman on Mar 26, 2008 9:52 AM PDT 0 recs

when bootcheck comes back

i'm gonna re-injure him.

john RIP samo

by angels4adam on Mar 26, 2008 2:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

let me know

if you need any help

Bring up Wood!!!

by howiestheman on Mar 26, 2008 2:37 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'll help too

Get rid of Quinlan

by edhoo on Mar 26, 2008 3:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

rofl

Northeastern University Huskies: Mediocre hockey, guaranteed.

by Carl Johnson on Mar 26, 2008 4:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nick Ad-rock...

That could be a interesting night.

TonZ of GunZ

by Funke5ive on Mar 26, 2008 6:00 PM PDT 0 recs

No excuses and no regrets

...

by cupie on Mar 26, 2008 11:22 PM PDT 0 recs

Adenhart in April

Moseley as long reliever and and Adenhart as the #5 starter makes the most sense to me. I don't think Adenhart will be the next coming of Doc Gooden or anything, but hitters usually struggle with a young talented pitcher during his first go aroung in the league. The offense is going to have to carry them this year, argh.

by KendrickExperience on Mar 27, 2008 11:06 AM PDT 0 recs

Bulger

did not acquit himself very well today; his numbers this spring are fairly middling, as he now sports an unimpressive 5.23 ERA. At this point, I'd say that Darren O'Day and Rich Thompson have the inside track. It would have been nice to see Jose Arredondo get a bit more time in the major league camp this spring. Although the Halos see him as a reliever, he was a starting pitcher before 2007. Given the fact that both the team needs to replace both Bootcheck (DL) and Moseley (rotation), both of whom could give the team more than two innings apiece, it would be better if the options weren't limited to a pair (or trio, including Bulger) of short relievers. In other words, they need to replace more innings than O'Day, Thompson et al. are presumably capable of providing.

by jjackflash on Mar 27, 2008 4:45 PM PDT 0 recs

What about the Dark Horse....Serrano?

He has been looking pretty good recently. O'Day had "first game in a big stadium" jitters last night vs. the Dodgers. Woof. I was so excited to see him come in and then he couldn't throw strikes.

He was getting really close, but the ump wouldn't call the strikes.

Serrano was solid in relief last night against the Dodgers first teamers.

Shopping for a new signature, but ran out of money...

by Downing Rules on Mar 28, 2008 10:07 AM PDT 0 recs