I don’t think they are that averse to throwing a prospect starter into the big-league bullpen, but they probably have a different opinion as to how that will work out with different pitchers — think about Antonetti’s comments about shortstops, that some will translate better to 2B, others better to 3B. I think the bigger issue with Rondon is not putting a starter into the bullpen, but doing it with a guy this young, and who has only thrown 23 innings above SIngle-A. The younger and less experienced a guy is, I would figure, the greater the chance of his over-exerting and/or losing his mechanics, which not only would lead to poor performance but also possibly a serious injury.

But this all gets back to their specific evaluation of the player. They may feel that Rondon is some type of pitcher who will translate easily to the bullpen, and their read on his psych/makeup may be that he’s a cool customer who wouldn’t likely be thrown by suddenly landing in the bigs. No way of knowing what the team feels about the risks for this specific player, until and unless they make a move.

Yes. I agree.

The problem with moving Sowers to the pen is not his stuff, but that he is next in line if one of our starters goes hurt.

You raise a good counter-argument and you might very well be correct. I tend to think of starters, to maintain some level of effectiveness, as needing a decent fastball (some combination of movement and/or velocity) and at least two serviceable other pitches (offspeed, breaking) to play off the fastball. There are some exceptions to this (sinkers, knuckleballers), of course. I think of relievers as being guys who have one very effective pitch. Could be Betancourt’s fastball, Rivera’s splitter, or Guardado’s changeup. But they need to have one pitch that hitters will struggle with in one AB. My hesitation with Sowers is that he doesn’t have that one really effective pitch – but maybe he does. Your criticism that his lack of velocity is exactly why he should be given a shot in the bullpen is well taken.

Isn’t Sowers at best like Edwin Jackson? And that feels like absolute best. So, the relief equivalent of Matt Joyce?

I bet we could get Mujica for him.

I’m just going to throw this out there, but the Mets appear to need some SP depth, their bullpen is pitching well right now, I’m intrigued by Eddie Kunz, and Minaya and Shapiro have a good relationship.