I'll admit when I'm wrong.

I'll admit it when I'm wrong, my campaign to keep redman was premature. He consistently gives up 3-5 runs per game (not bad for a 5 starter... with a good offense behind him), but he doesn't eat innings anymore. His pitch counts the last few times (going off memory b/c i'm lazy) have been in the 100s, but he hasn't gotten past the 6th inning. For instance, today, he when 5 innings and 101 pitches. That, to me, isn't good enough. Sure, it's fine once in awhile, but this has been a consistent battle with Redman; he's walking too many and striking out too many (if that's possible, which it is b/c he walks to many). Think, on average, how many pitches he probably wastes to get 4K, 3BB, 1HBP. Let's find out. In total, for the amount of 8 K/BB/HBP : 44 pitches in all. Almost half his pitchcount went to 8 K/BB/HBP. That, to me, isn't very efficient (in 5 innings) and shows me that Redman isn't what we really need at this point with our glutton of sub to above (but not good) average starting pitching: elarton, gobble, greinke, hochevar, hernandez, duckworth, keppel, madritsch, Hudson, Wood, & Bernero. To me, Redman seems the odd man out.

I hate projections, but barring any trades, winter signings, everybody healthy, this is the starting 5 I would throw out there.


1-Hudson 2-Elarton 3-Greinke 4-Bernero 5-Duckworth

I think you ease Greinke in and give him matchups that, initially, will be against subpar pitchers (i.e., pit him against a 3-5 rotation pitcher, even though he's better than that) and slowly move him up in the rotation. Hochevar and Lumsden will probably start off in AA, AAA. Runelvys will be gone (I hope), put wood and gobble back in the bullpen and hope that Ryan Braun is ready (or continue to use Nelson (who has been good in REAL save situations, not mop up (8/23/2006)). My hope is Ryan Braun takes over. Check out his AA, AAA numbers, they are pretty darn good (AAA - 2.21 ERA, 20 K, 9BB in 20.1 IP... the only nervousness is 20 H in 20.1 IP, but he just got called up a month or less ago) (AA - 2.21 ERA, 58 K, 16BB, 10SV in 40.2 IP w/ 30H). This kid could be good and he's 26; probably mature enough, and brought along slowly. Has a chance to make the team in spring training. either that or hope burgos learns control over the winter, otherwise, he should never make it farther than setup man... which actually gives me respect for him... he's maintained a 5+ ERA with 14 saves, but no command in the MAJORS... that actually ain't bad since he should be in AA or AAA if you want to stretch it.

Here's where I think the Braves have it right (sort of). They stockpile pitching and trade them for players they need. Simple right? Well, in the past few years, the Royals have WASTED too much $$ on free agent pitchers. So you have to like what Dayton's done. He's gotten pitching so that he can develop it CHEAP within the organization -OR- trade it for proven pitching -OR- trade them for hitters. Pitchers, usually the average to just above average, flucuate in numbers year in and year out (the good ones: Santana, Mussina, Clemens, Zito usually don't). The Royals, where they are now, are probably a few years away from having these types of pitchers. So stockpile 30 and and 5 or 6 may pan out.