Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Bullpen shakeup in the works under Jerry Manuel

Via Adam Rubin:
Jerry Manuel dropped one bombshell after another today, including saying he may move John Maine, Oliver Perez or Mike Pelfrey into the bullpen, even once Billy Wagner returns from the disabled list Monday.
Oh boy.

Rubin goes on to propose that Jon Niese would enter the rotation if that happened.

Looking at those three pitchers last ten games, my vote goes for Maine to move. He's been battling a shoulder issue, so decreased work would definitely help. He's only gotten into the seventh inning one times out of his last ten outings. He's also struggled through those same ten.

If Maine can move to the bullpen, he'd be able to give them multiple innings if needed, or just one in a situational situation. I'd like Maine out of the pen, at least this season. He'd hopefully move back to the rotation next year, as he's way more valuable there (see: Joba).

For now, anything might help the bullpen, as long as Niese is capable at the Major League level.

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