Why Not a Six-Man Rotation?

[24thStFan]

Sale
Peavy
Danks
Quintana
Axelrod
Santiago

From what I've read, the cons of a 6-man rotation seem to be:
a. don't let your ace pitch so often;
b. mess with your bullpen;and,
c. weaken your bench.

But given the current situation with the Sox;
a. Sale might benefit from more rest (he just missed a start);
b. our bull pen is already unsettled;
c. well, you know all about our bench.

In addition, wouldn't Peavy and Danks benefit from some extra rest? I'm not a baseball expert like some other posters here, so I'm asking an honest question. I'd appreciate hearing the thoughts of others.

[Foulke You]

Originally Posted by 24thStFan

Sale
Peavy
Danks
Quintana
Axelrod
Santiago

From what I've read, the cons of a 6-man rotation seem to be:
a. don't let your ace pitch so often;
b. mess with your bullpen;and,
c. weaken your bench.

But given the current situation with the Sox;
a. Sale might benefit from more rest (he just missed a start);
b. our bull pen is already unsettled;
c. well, you know all about our bench.

In addition, wouldn't Peavy and Danks benefit from some extra rest? I'm not a baseball expert like some other posters here, so I'm asking an honest question. I'd appreciate hearing the thoughts of others.

I see this as a negative. The Sox need Sale and Peavy to pitch as much as they can this year to have a chance. Going to a six man would be reducing the amount of times they can help you win a game. I understand the point about Sale's health but it is hard to even say if giving him 1 extra day would save him from an injury.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by Foulke You

I see this as a negative. The Sox need Sale and Peavy to pitch as much as they can this year to have a chance. Going to a six man would be reducing the amount of times they can help you win a game. I understand the point about Sale's health but it is hard to even say if giving him 1 extra day would save him from an injury.

That's generally my feeling, as well, not to mention the Sox bullpen is really thin behind Crain and Reed, I don't know if further diluting the talent is the right move. If Santiago (or Axelrod, I suppose) can pitch as well out of the bullpen as they have as starters, that gives the Sox 3 legitimately good arms in the bullpen and that is a nice luxury to have. If they had 1-2 more really dependable arms in the bullpen, maybe the 6-man rotation makes more sense, but as it is right now, I don't think they have enough to support a short-armed bullpen.

Maybe give a guy a spot start here and there during long stretches without days off to give guys extra rest, but going strictly 6-man, I think under utilizes your best pitchers and risk overtaxing your worst.

[24thStFan]

Originally Posted by doublem23

Maybe give a guy a spot start here and there during long stretches without days off to give guys extra rest, but going strictly 6-man, I think under utilizes your best pitchers and risk overtaxing your worst.

We may have to do this out of necessity, anyways. But what you all have said makes sense. I'm just a little worried about everyone holding up over the long haul given their past history.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by 24thStFan

We may have to do this out of necessity, anyways. But what you all have said makes sense. I'm just a little worried about everyone holding up over the long haul given their past history.

No, I understand your concern, it's perfectly valid, but this is also the corner you paint yourself in when you play like **** for the first month of the season and bury yourself early. The Sox, unfortunately, don't have the luxury to not ride their best players now, they're in catch up mode. So you're kind of damned if you do or damned if you don't. But I think it's preferable that if you're going to go down, you do so with your best players contributing as much to the cause as possible (just my opinion).

[vinny]

"Peavy and Sale, then pray for hail!"

[WLL1855]

This **** again?

[WLL1855]

Originally Posted by 24thStFan

Sale
Peavy
Danks
Quintana
Axelrod
Santiago

From what I've read, the cons of a 6-man rotation seem to be:
a. don't let your ace pitch so often;
b. mess with your bullpen;and,
c. weaken your bench.

But given the current situation with the Sox;
a. Sale might benefit from more rest (he just missed a start);
b. our bull pen is already unsettled;
c. well, you know all about our bench.

In addition, wouldn't Peavy and Danks benefit from some extra rest? I'm not a baseball expert like some other posters here, so I'm asking an honest question. I'd appreciate hearing the thoughts of others.

If it was such a great idea, why don't other teams do it?

[kittle42]

Originally Posted by WLL1855

If it was such a great idea, why don't other teams do it?

Amen.

We ain't got six aces out there.

[WLL1855]

Originally Posted by 24thStFan

We may have to do this out of necessity, anyways. But what you all have said makes sense. I'm just a little worried about everyone holding up over the long haul given their past history.

Please elaborate.

I don't know if you caught it or not. The Sox have probably the best head trainer in sports. They have been by far the healthiest MLB for well over a decade.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by WLL1855

This **** again?

Uh, when was the last time someone brought up the idea of running out a 6-man rotation?

[Lip Man 1]

Originally Posted by 24thStFan

Sale
Peavy
Danks
Quintana
Axelrod
Santiago

From what I've read, the cons of a 6-man rotation seem to be:
a. don't let your ace pitch so often;
b. mess with your bullpen;and,
c. weaken your bench.

But given the current situation with the Sox;
a. Sale might benefit from more rest (he just missed a start);
b. our bull pen is already unsettled;
c. well, you know all about our bench.

In addition, wouldn't Peavy and Danks benefit from some extra rest? I'm not a baseball expert like some other posters here, so I'm asking an honest question. I'd appreciate hearing the thoughts of others.

Because the Sox badly need a second left hander in the bullpen, that guy appears to be Santiago (short of a trade...)

Lip

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

Because the Sox badly need a second left hander in the bullpen, that guy appears to be Santiago (short of a trade...)

Lip

Which is funny, because of Hector's screwball, he throws much more like a righty if you're looking at the splits.

[SCCWS]

Actually, wouldn't the "odd man out" be better off going to Charlotte ( as long as he has options) and remaining a starter than going to the White Sox bullpen and getting spot duty. That way if another starter goes down for a stretch, we have one ready to go at AAA.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by SCCWS

Actually, wouldn't the "odd man out" be better off going to Charlotte ( as long as he has options) and remaining a starter than going to the White Sox bullpen and getting spot duty. That way if another starter goes down for a stretch, we have one ready to go at AAA.

In a perfect world, yeah, probably, but I don't think Donnie Veal gave them a choice as to who was going to be the odd man out.