The Indians and Free Agent Starting Pitchers
by afh4 on Nov 4, 2009 1:35 PM EST
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Print12 different pitchers started games for the 2009 Cleveland Indians with Fausto Carmona leading the staff with 24 starts, despite spending part of the season with Indians' farm clubs. In creating the 2010 staff and its depth options, a number of the '09 starters will not be in the picture.
Totally Out Of The Picture
- Cliff Lee (22 starts in '09)
- Carl Pavano (21 starts in '09)
- Zach Jackson (1 start in '09)
Two of those guys pitched their way out of Cleveland and the other one, well, he sort of pitched his way out as well. I don't know what Zackson's MLB future holds but it almost certainly won't be much starting.
On The Outskirts of the Picture
- Scott Lewis (1 start in '09)
- Anthony Reyes (8 starts in '09)
- Tomo Ohka (6 starts in '09)
It's unlikely these guys collectively make more than a handful of starts for the Indians next year. Lewis and Reyes both have significant injury concerns (as well as Lewis not currently being rostered) and Ohka, a deep, deep depth option in 2009 that was pressed into duty, is unlikely to return based on his lackluster performance.
The 2010 Indians Starters!
- Fausto Carmona (24 starts in '09)
- David Huff (23 starts in '09)
- Jeremy Sowers (22 starts in '09)
- Aaron Laffey (19 starts in '09)
- Justin Masterson (10 starts in '09)
- Carlos Carrasco (5 starts in '09)
- Jake Westbrook (0 starts in '09)
- Hector Rondon (0 starts in '09)
- Yohan Pino (0 starts in '09)
It seems likely that, barring injury, the Indians will open with a rotation including Westbrook, Laffey and Masterson with Carmona, Sowers and Huff battling for the final two spots. There will probably be an opportunity for Carrasco or Rondon to win a job out of ST but it will be an uphill battle. This scenario assumes the Indians don't make a signing which, to me, seems unlikely. The Indians probably have about enough depth to sit on their hands but the gamble of a low-risk, high-upside pitcher who could either help a suddenly coalescing young club contend or, more likely, turn into a prospect at the deadline, seems like too much to pass up.
The Indians have a real thing for free agent starters, with free agent pickups like Pavano, Paul Byrd, Jason Johnson, Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton all starting a significant number of games for the Indians since 2005. The Indians have excelled at identifying and signing veteran starters who end up being major contributors to the club. Their skill in this area has paid dividends beyond just on-field production: their ability to rehabilitate careers has earned them both goodwill with future free agents and an occasional prospect, namely Pino who was returned for Pavano and Mickey Hall, the big prize in the Paul Byrd deal (kidding).
So, with a remarkably low payroll entering 2010 (my back of the napkin has them around $60 million), how could the Indians spend a few (2-6) million and get something decent for it? A list of 2010 FA starters is available here for your browsing.
Colon will be 37 this year and pitched late last season with the White Sox. There was, frankly, not a lot to like about Colon's numbers last year-he had SO/BB ratio of 1.81 and his FIP was over 5. The upside here is that Bartolo was coming off of an elbow surgery in Chicago and he was sort of effective in Boston in '08. The other upside, of course, would be watching Bartolo wear an Indians uniform. Maybe he could mentor young players regarding hotspots downtown.
Contreras, who might be 38 years old, was a tough luck pitcher in Chicago last year, posting a 4.14 FIP in contrast to his 5.42 ERA. Jose was dealt to Colorado for the stretch run and he was lights out as a reliever for the Rockies over 17 IP, posting a 1.59 ERA (and a 3.92 FIP, to flip-flop things). I'm pretty convinced Contreras could be a valuable pickup; since coming to Chicago, his FIP has hovered in the mid 4's and he's also got that whole wily Spanish-speaking veteran thing going on. Difficult to tell what the market for Contreras will be, though. A few years ago, a decent stretch run like this could turn into a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal. We're not a few years ago, anymore, obviously, but I wouldn't be shocked to see an NL team make him a decent offer to work as a reliever.
Schmidt is expected to retire but, man, this one seems right up the Indians' alley.
Penny put together a nice little run in San Francisco to end the season and, if he and his agent are smart, he ought to stay in the NL. However, Penny wasn't nearly as bad in Boston as he seemed according to FIP (4.59 v 6.08). If Penny wants to come back to the AL, he wouldn't be a bad fit in Cleveland if the Indians feel he's healthy.
Bedard can pitch if Bedard can stay healthy. This past season he posted a sub 3 ERA in his limited duty with a K:BB over 2.5. Bedard is a hot commodity with other know-nothings like me and for all I know the market for him is going to explode this winter. If you can get Bedard for something like a 1 year deal at 7 million with a club-option for a second season, I think you do it. Bedard's a type B free agent.
Other players fit the Bedard deal as well: Rich Harden and Ben Sheets, namely.
The Indians ought to also kick the tires on Chris Capuano, Rich Hill and Noah Lowry,
So, what do you think? Any of these guys? Anybody else? Anybody at all?
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Bedard would be nice (barring health issues), IMO, but I’m afraid that the market will snatch him up. I personally wouldn’t mind take a flier on Rich Harden or Jose Contreras, preferring Contreras. Who knows…maybe they catch lightning in a bottle.
by MooneysRebellion on Nov 4, 2009 1:55 PM EST reply actions
I like the Bedard, Harden and Sheets tier. Each of those guys has pretty solid upside still, especially with their ability to strike people out. It seems like such a signing has the best chance of netting a notable prospect at the deadline.
Yeah, I shorted Harden and Sheets because of the NL-AL business. Well, that and I think Sheets is pretty much signing with Texas right?
I don’t think necessarily. The Indians got value for that option (at least they think they did). I don’t see how it precludes signing someone for more than 8 million. They’ll almost certainly spend more than that, period.
The point with Lee, which we all get I think, was that his value was maxed and the Indians weren’t going to contend in 2010.
That said, it will be a media hit if Hoynse can say, straight up, the Indians traded Lee’s salary space for Chris Capuano’s.
is insignificant, or is significant?
there is something to actually saving the 8 mill from lee’s contract. making moves on their own merit from here on out is all that matters, but i don’t think spending 8 mill on one pitcher is the right route to go.
I can’t see why you wouldn’t think it is not insignificant.
Seriously, though, we’re in agreement that spending all of that on one pitcher is the unwise for this team. But Hoynes or whoever will not judge it on its own merit, but create an angle based on the Lee decision.
I don’t see why we’d spend it on anyone for 2010. We need a couple of role players on this semi-developmental roster, nothing more. Casey Blake and Brian Anderson, circa 2003.
by Jay on Nov 4, 2009 6:04 PM EST up reply actions
Wrong mind-set. The next 2 to 3 years is not about contending, it’s about acquiring and developing players so that we can contend in ~2012. We should be acquiring players who are at least 5 yrs away from their walk year.
If this is the way we’re going – and I think it is – signing anything more than journeymen to fill out the roster is a mistake. Our payroll should be no more than $50M next year and less in 2011 when we drop the Wood/Westbrook contracts.
Forget what last year’s payroll was – that’s back in the paleolithic ages when we thought we could contend. Let’s get on board with the development scenario and start looking for prospects, not projects.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
97 losses, 32 games under .500 and thats with Martinez, Lee, DeRosa and Betancourt for half of a season. Admittedly we’ve got Sizemore and Westbrook coming back, but, realistically, this was a 100 loss team last year. Contending in 2012 seems pretty optomistic to me.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
harden should get a deal like the one pavano got. short and not a lot of guaranteed money. he should get paid based on how many starts he makes after about 20
hm. would never have guessed he’d been that healthy. seems like he’s always hurt, but i suppose not, obviously.
wait a minute. I thought he was a good bet to be too unhealthy to even be a KMTS.
Finally convinced my dad that Jeter is immensely hatable.
i’m just glad we were able to sign yohan pino to a tomo ohka-like deal
If you don't respect Aaron Laffey, I will fight you.
by Cap'n Snegiryov on Nov 4, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
I am in favor of signing Capuano, was a fan of his while he was on the Brewers and could be a nice rebound project.
good. was hoping this wasn’t going to turn into another basketball discussion
by Brick. on Nov 4, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I’m not sure Sowers Huff and Laffey are all that much like each other
by APV on Nov 4, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
I keep reading that first paragraph. It sounds like you’re saying that none of the pitchers who started a game for us in 2009 will be “in the picture” for 2010.
I just don’t see us spending for any significant starter, meaning nothing except true scrap heapers.
It’s a true rarity, but it could be that all of our 2010 starts may be from players in the organization today.
As for the list, there are 7 pitchers on there that each make me think “wow, how can this guy can NOT be in our rotation every day.” (yeah, I’m excluding Jeremy and Pino) Of course, there’s nobody who is an established “1” or “2.”
completely agree. if next year is supposed to be some kind of lost season that isn’t about contending, why devote any resources to get the next Byrd or Elarton or Johnson? If they go after one of these guys wouldn’t it signal that the FO thinks this season is not one to write off?
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
If you can sign so-and-so with an incentive-laden contract and he performs, there’s always the possibility that you could cast him off to someone else before/after the deadline for an arm like Pino, who (at the very least) increases depth.
My uncle says you've got a screw loose.
Your uncle molests collies.
by gorilla_baller on Nov 4, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
We’re in a similar position to 2009, with only a couple rotation spots locked. However, unlike 2009, there’s enough solid upper-level depth in the Indians minor leagues. I would be comfortable plugging the last two spots with internal options until something sticks.
My uncle says you've got a screw loose.
Your uncle molests collies.
by gorilla_baller on Nov 4, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
If we could get Harden or Sheets on an incentive-laden multi-year contract, I would be all in favor of it. It will be more valuable for us to pitch the young’ns than try to revive a veteran unless it’s someone who can help us in 2011 as well. Why bring a veteran in to eat innings when we can have youngsters up here taking their lumps and learning and getting ready for the 2011-2012 push to glory?
Want out of Cleveland? Easy - mess with LeBron's entourage.
I’m not big on this “let them take lumps” bandwagon. I think a lot of people have misinterpreted the BP quote Jay’s used a couple of times, about there being little point in holding down a guy who’s ML ready. The crux of this quote, in my estimation, is that certain guys aren’t getting any better past age 22.
That’s certainly not true of all pitchers. Carrasco and Rondon both, by reports, need to develop better pitches (primarily offspeed) and I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be easier in games that don’t really matter.
In other words, I don’t see a lot of point in watching Carrasco, Rondon, and Huff all post 5+ ERAs. I think it’s reasonable to make a move to safeguard against that. As much as we want to believe it, we are not blocking Porcello here.
by afh4 on Nov 4, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That’s certainly not true of all pitchers. Carrasco and Rondon both, by reports, need to develop better pitches (primarily offspeed) and I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be easier in games that don’t really matter.
Pitching in games that “matter” (and this obviously is a relative term with regard to the 2010 Indians) may make it easier for some players. I could just as easily say, I don’t see any reason why it would be easier in games that don’t really matter.
The point, I think, is that you ought to err on the side of accelerating development, if you think that may be possible. I agree that it seems like there would be cases where that clearly is a dumb idea, but, you know, maybe there really aren’t. Maybe you might as well let Rondon take his lumps.
by Jay on Nov 4, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But I think we’re away from the point of the original quote here, which was that “These elite guys are already ready already. Don’t waste their time.” Porcello could contribute right away.
While it might be “better” for Carrasco’s development to post an ERA around 7 in the bigs, it might also be a pretty lousy idea for a host of other reasons.
Is there anything to suggest though that Porcello was that much better than Rondon in the minors? I don’t see a big enough difference to not try the same thing with Rondon. Porcello had disappointing strikeout numbers in the minors for what was expected and still has managed to succeed at the big league level.
Ummm. Porcello made 24 starts in A+ and then contributed in the majors. Huge groundball rates in the minors, I’m assuming.
It’s apples and oranges. Rondon is just not that good of a prospect-not regarded as well by scouts. The fact that they even would’ve considered going A+ to the majors with Porcello, and that they were right, tells you the difference between the two.
We have a few givens here. First, said pitching novice may be able to contribute substantively right away, in Year 1. Second, said pitching novice may be significantly better in Year 2 if it’s his sophomore season rather than his rookie season. Third, there is no real certainty as to whether it hurts or helps his development to promote him early. Fourth, young arms are ticking timebombs, such that an opportunity to contribute may not even exist beyond Years 1 and 2.
With those as givens, I think the burden of proof rests on those who want to hold a guy back, to show that there is a real reason to think his development will go better under that course of action.
by Jay on Nov 4, 2009 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
I was about to post this above, on the third point.
Upsides
-the player can learn what really works at the MLB level, and not be fooled into thinking that something mediocre will work
-the player becomes more comfortable with the setting, the parks, the major league level groupies, etc.
-the player gets to experiment with specific ML opponents
-the player can learn from other major leaguers
-better food
Downsides
-the player gets hammered and loses hope. His teammates and coaches don’t trust him.
-our best teachers are coaching at the minor league level (??)
Doesn’t this whole line of thinking kind of lend itself to an argument that you should start a pitcher’s clock as soon as you can? The whole point is that most guys break down; don’t you want to get through your time with the guy before that happens and deal him for a prospect?
Exceptions, like CC, you just deal with trying to extend on a case by case.
by afh4 on Nov 4, 2009 6:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah I was dense there for a moment. I think there are other downsides to this that matter; there’s somethig to be said for giving up on competitive baseba for any length of time and what it might do to a fanbase or clubhouse. A whole year of what Carrasco did strikes me as untenable.
by afh4 on Nov 4, 2009 6:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That is the core point, that across a large group of pitchers, the ROI on managing service time is minimal, because attrition rates are so high for pitchers.
by Jay on Nov 4, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions
I think where this issue has gotten muddled for me is that I feel people have taken this core
point and equated it to: just bring young pitchers up. My point, I think, is that it still doesn’t make sense to bring them up if they suck.
by afh4 on Nov 4, 2009 8:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Of course not, but who’s saying we should do that?
Rondon doesn’t suck.
by Jay on Nov 4, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
Well, initially I was responding to Woods; I think there’s value in a one year reclamation in that your essentially buying some insurance for the scenario in 4 of the starters falter hard which, frankly, seems sort of likely.
I’m not saying Rondon can’t be great. I’m saying I’m afraid we might not even find a servicable staff out of the parts we’ve got, ergo, adding an arm to guard against disaster/find some trade value seems prudent.
To put another way, it’s fun to imagine all of Huff, Masterson, Rondon, Carrasco and Pino ‘developing’ at the ML level. It’s not as fun to acknowledge that group of five might only produce one good ML 2009 among them
by afh4 on Nov 4, 2009 11:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
1- you can flip him
2- you can bolster 2011 if there’s a club
option.
I’m basically advocating for a guy one level above an NRI. I think we’ll end up with a guy like that. Let’s see.
by afh4 on Nov 5, 2009 8:34 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think we’ll end up with a guy like that.
I agree
by APV on Nov 5, 2009 9:00 AM EST up reply actions
I’m not saying it’s a terrible idea to try it. I’m saying neither Carrasco nor Rondon strike me as guys who aren’t going to get hammered and get sent back down.
We can work in hypotheticals all we want but if Carrasco looks the same next season in the majors as he did this season, he’s going back down. I have no idea if that’s better or worse for him; I just know that’s what’s going to happen.
I could care less about Carrasco, but has there been a better candidate since Sabathia 2001 to start north like this than Rondon? Maybe Adam Miller coming off his 2006 season, but we had a loaded staff then.
When the issue is “Carmona, Sowers, and Huff are battling out for the 4th and 5th spot”, than what are we waiting for? Are we going to try anything different developmentally?
Sowers, coming off 2005, based mostly on the numbers.
Carmona, coming off 2005, based mostly on the scouting.
I don’t know, I just glanced at it. But was Sowers 2005 in his age 22 season across A+ and AA really better than Rondon 2009 in his age 21 season across AA and AAA?
Peripherals seem pretty close not to mention the slight age difference (favor of Rondon) and level difference (favor of Rondon)
There’s a difference in being a better prospect and being more ‘ready’, I think. Huff looked pretty damn ready after 2008. I was about a confident in his transition to a middle of the rotation starter as I thought I could be in a guy.
by afh4 on Nov 4, 2009 11:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’m sure there is a difference. But just because Huff struggled doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider it with Rondon, two completely different pitchers. Hell, Huff was part of the non-overpowering lefty syndrome anyway; not that I’m not still holding out hope for him.
You asked who was as ready and I’m telling you Huff was. Hufs age limited his ceiling in ways that Rondon’s isn’t but that doesn’t mean Huff was any less ready.
by afh4 on Nov 5, 2009 8:30 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Alomar may be coming back! Cleveland.com rejoices… This solves everything, doesn’t it?
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
Fourth, young arms are ticking timebombs, such that an opportunity to contribute may not even exist beyond Years 1 and 2.
Amen. Adam Miller was our Porcello. And now, he gone.
by ken from alexandria on Nov 5, 2009 8:57 AM EST up reply actions
livan hernandez? he eats innings.. even though they are run filled innings
by johnf34 on Nov 4, 2009 3:27 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Bartolo Colon also eats innings. Even though they are jelly-filled innings.
My uncle says you've got a screw loose.
Your uncle molests collies.
by gorilla_baller on Nov 4, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 7 recs
I laughed aloud at the caption on the Masterson pic.
Just before barely averting a crying jag.
--
Force quit and move to trash.
Save the money or ramp up the fan promotion nights – I don’t want to see any of those guys pitch. I would rather get a free hotdog to go with the 10 beers I am going to require to make it through a game in a decent mood.
Maybe Carrasco’s home starts could all be 2-for-1 beer nights.
by Jay on Nov 4, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
- Ten cent hot dog night! Just wait until the meat by-product-crazed fans take to the field en masse!
- Niuman Romero bobblehead night! Two for each fan! Three for kids under 12!
- Emo Demolition Night! Bring your emo .. uh .. mp3s to the stadium and we’ll, er, stick them in a computer in center field and blow them up or mass-delete them or something.
- Traded player promotional item grab-bag night! Randomized pre-packs of old tribe player t-shirts, dolls, backpacks and sleeping bags to all fans!
OK, I think I’m headed home now.
--
Force quit and move to trash.
by vbc3 on Nov 4, 2009 9:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
that’s a rec for bullet point number 3. is that allowed?
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
21-M, 22-M. Whatever it takes.
--
Force quit and move to trash.
by vbc3 on Nov 4, 2009 10:56 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Can we just make it demolish an emo kid night? I am sure you can find one hardcore enough to let themselves be blown up. If not just offer them a case of PBR and say that they’ll get to meet Fall Out Boy afterwords.
free white castle burgers for every HR he gives up
by APV on Nov 4, 2009 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
July 1: Slider will hang himself after every hit allowed by the Indians.
As a PR move, we start Sowers so it won’t happen in the first few innings.
Finally convinced my dad that Jeter is immensely hatable.
by westbrook on Nov 5, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It’s possible that we should instead spend the money on relievers to flip at the deadline. Joaquin Benoit might not be worth as much in prospects, but competing teams will arguably have more room to improve in the bullpen than the rotation.
We have a lot of bullpen options for 2010, but I think any young starter’s development is more important than a young reliever’s.
Steel Nick
Given the likelihood of our young starters not being able to provide length, it strikes me that getting a couple serviceable, proven relievers to supplement the young arms in the pen might be a pretty good idea.
Want out of Cleveland? Easy - mess with LeBron's entourage.
by woodsmeister on Nov 5, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
Do you think Sowers will be invited back? He’s up for arbitration, no? The Tribe would have to offer him arbitration in order to continue negotiating with him. Why bother?
He’s an asset, but only at a certain price. It’s kind of like having the complete run of Wonder-Man comic books. I suppose that’s cool and all if you were 15 years old when they came out and loved the Avengers and just wanted them to say you had them and didn’t pay more than, oh, $5 for all of them. But not knowing anyone at all who would value such a thing as an asset, it’s hard to see how others would value Sowers, or 29 Wonder-Man comic books, as anything other than a halfway decent memory.
by God Hates Cleveland Sports on Nov 4, 2009 11:38 PM EST reply actions
Well that is good. Rotoworld lists it differently.
by God Hates Cleveland Sports on Nov 4, 2009 11:44 PM EST reply actions
Seems to me the likelihood of the Indians’ pursuing a veteran free agent starter is really affected by Westbrook’s status. If we’re confident he’s going to be fine and will be able to step in a be a reliable starter – i.e, someone who can pitch 6 innings on a consistent basis and not be horrible — then my guess is they stay away from the free agents. Adding a guy would just block one of the younger starters, who have to develop if the team is going to contend in the short-term. If there’s a real concern that Westbrook may not be ready to go or is a significant risk to be out for long stretches, then it makes sense to bring in a guy who could take his place. That would mean NOT someone who’s hurt or has a history of being hurt all the time — it might mean someone like Contreras.
I’m not sure I want or need anyone more expensive or reliable than Anthony Reyes, and yes, I know that’s not saying much.
I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect Jake to be able to pitch six innings on a consistent basis and not be horrible. He’s started more than 30 games only three times in his career. He’s been seriously injured and has not yet shown that he’s recovered. He’ll be 32 next year. It’s not prudent to expect much from someone like that.
He’s only been a starter since 2003, and that was after some time in the bullpen. Take out his two seasons lost to his TJ surgery requiring injury and he started 30+ in 3 out of his 4 seasons and 25 in the fourth (something no Indian accomplished this year). And while no indication has been shown of his recovery from injury if he does recover it is entirely reasonable to expect him to go out there 30+ times this year and not be horrible.
I don’t remember why he wasn’t starting more. In his first three years in Cleveland he started a combined 32 games. There was that famous relief appearance against the Yankees that opened everybody’s eyes. Did the Indians not realize what they had? Before 2004 his high in innings pitched was 133.
Before reading the comments, my ’10 Rotation choice as of right now:
Westbrook, Laffey, Huff, Carmona, Sowers
—Masterson bumps a guy off only if he completely dominates ST. Dude could use some more time in the minor leagues.
As for those FAs you mentioned:
Colon… No.
Contreras, Penny… This ain’t the NL West.
Schmidt… now you’re talkin’.
Bedard… too expensive, methinks.
Interesting names from the rest of the list, discluding guys who will cost too much (Harden, Piniero, Wolf):
• Justin Duchscherer OAK (B), Mike Hampton HOU, Brett Myers PHI, Carl Pavano MIN (B), Todd Wellemeyer STL
Finally convinced my dad that Jeter is immensely hatable.
What does Masterson have left to prove in the minors? What he needs is a strategy to get lefthanders out consistently. He can develop that in the majors in the pen just as easily as he can in Columbus.
Want out of Cleveland? Easy - mess with LeBron's entourage.
The guy’s pitched 233 minor league innings in his career.
Finally convinced my dad that Jeter is immensely hatable.
He can get righthanded major league hitters out. If he has to pitch out of the bullpen until he can develop a contingency plan against lefthanded batters, well what’s so bad about that. Selected career splits from B-Ref:
I Split G PA AB R H BB SO SO/BB BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP BAbip tOPS+
vs RHB as RH 78 454 400 41 80 38 108 2.84 .200 .283 .300 .583 120 17 .246 64
vs LHB as RH 70 479 398 62 116 62 79 1.27 .291 .391 .452 .843 180 14 .332 136
Want out of Cleveland? Easy - mess with LeBron's entourage.
problem with stashing him in the bullpen, is that most liekly if a lefty does come up, Sipp or even Perez probably gets the call from the pen. For him to work on LH batters, he needs to stay in a rotation to pitch to the LH batters for a few innings at a time.
I agree. He should be starting in Cleveland. My argument is that he should be in Cleveland even if it means being put in the bullpen.
Want out of Cleveland? Easy - mess with LeBron's entourage.
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