Bullpen sucks, says Terry Pluto

Covers the Browns, too, for those inclined, but I think Pluto is right on the money with the bullpen issues. [insert standard comments warning here]

almost 3 years ago Avindian 8 comments 0 recs |

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Carl Pavano’s overall numbers (2-3, 6.61) look terrible, but they are skewed by his first start (allowing 9 ER in 1 IP). In four of his next five starts, he has pitched at least six innings. In those starts, he is 2-2 with a 4.01 ERA. He has walked only five in 30 innings. In starts at Boston, New York and Detroit, he allowed five runs in 19 1/3 innings.

Eye popping.

by world dictator on May 10, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

True, but if the bullpen had collectively performed at a similar level in the last few weeks, we’d be in much better shape.

by peter m on May 10, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

If I understood your post correctly, you’re implying that the bullpen is NOT the only problem. Especially over the last few weeks, the offense has been woeful; at times (though not consistent enough yet), the bullpen has shown some progress (Betancourt has been off and on, Sipp has been on more times than not, especially for a rookie, and Lewis has been off and on as well), but the offense hasn’t been able to scratch out any or many runs, even off pitchers who are not at Verlander’s level – yes, Jackson was that highly touted once several seasons back, but has had a history of inconsistency, and while Porcello is a highly-touted prospect, he is a rookie with limited experience and had one or two poor outings, so he is not a sure lock to pitch that well every time out.

The main point: the Indians’ problems are not just relegated to the bullpen; the inconsistent offense, the spotty play, and the inconsistent rotation have also contributed to our demise to the worst record in baseball, and the only way to get back on track is to improve in all areas, not just the bullpen. I don’t think “fixing” the bullpen alone is going to solve our problems and make us the team we were expecting to see in 2009.

Just my 2 cents.

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on May 11, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think our offense or rotation have been particularly inconsistent. All baseball teams and players have inconsistent performance to some extent. You harp on this every year, it seems, but the offense does not really have problems of inconsistency or lack of small-ball, etc.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on May 11, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually meant that had the bullpen performed adequately over the past few weeks, the Indians would be at least competitive. They wouldn’t be GOOD, I don’t think, because some of their best hitters (Sizemore, Peralta) have played poorly thus far and their defense has not been particularly outstanding. Fixing the bullpen won’t make them the best team in baseball, but it’s the obvious place to start, in my opinion.

by peter m on May 11, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I think a sure sign that Wedge’s time is drawing near and he knows it is the fact Pluto mentions about using Sipp on back-to-back days, something he wasn’t supposed to do.

I find that concerning – the last thing you want to do is to ruin Sipp, who is a promising relief prospect, just to win one game, even if this team is struggling.

That to me suggests that the pressure of this job is getting to Wedge and he knows his time is short, but to me, ignoring the “plan” of using Sipp is more likely to get him fired rather than saving his job. Use another reliever who has been struggling (Lewis, Betancourt, Kobayashi, Chulk, Herges, whoever), but who can go back-to-back days, not a reliever who’s been better than most (the only one who might be more consistent than Sipp is Wood, and even he hasn’t been flawless), but who was not supposed to go back-to-back days – the risk is way too high and the reward (pitching better in one game and winning one game) is not worth that.

Just my 2 cents.

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on May 11, 2009 6:06 PM EDT reply actions

I think it really depends upon the circumstances. If Sipp throws 11 relatively low-stress pitches one night, then there’s probably an exception to the rule that might allow him to pitch the next.

Sometimes, I just like to b****.

by emd2k3 on May 11, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions