08-31-2024, 05:54 PM
(08-31-2024, 04:05 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: None of our pitchers can ever handle a starter's workload.
We haven't had someone throw 150 innings in a season since 2021.
We have the 21st pitcher ERA in MLB.
Last year we had the 25th pitcher ERA in MLB.
In 2022 we had the 28th pitcher ERA in MLB.
OUR STARTERS HAVEN'T HAD AN ABOVE-AVERAGE BB/9 RANK SINCE 2014.
Nobody should be safe.
We need a wholesale cleanout of the entire team. From ownership to batboy.
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As for McLain, I always assumed he was going to be out for the season. They've gotten real good at repairing knees and elbows, but shoulders are still a really serious injury that can end careers if they don't go well and heal well. Them trying to rush him back while not having had a winning record in 3 months and having a setback is peak Reds.
Your take is plenty reasonable,but I don't think the current staff and it's issues are a complete reflection of Johnson's methods.
In reality, any team with a middling MLB payroll would have found ways to keep guys that Johnson actually had immense success with. Sonny Gray wasn't lighting the world on fire when we brought him in. Now he's back to being one of the better pitchers in the league. Castillo was a no-doubt stud. Miley returned to serviceability under Johnson. He also did a fine job with Mahle.
Before DJ came along, the Reds' highly drafted pitching prospects were a total disaster. The Bob Steves, Traviesos, even the laborious development of Homer Bailey were laughingstock caliber.
A non joke ownership group would have this staff looking much different. You'd have a starting 5 anchored by Castillo, and Gray with Mahle eating innings. Greene would be 3rd or 4th guy knocking on the door to being a TOR arm. Abbott would be a great 5th starter and Lodolo would be working his issues out on the farm.
The shape of the current rotation has a lot more to do with this team's soon to be 50 mil thrift store payroll than player development. They've developed and even rehabilitated multiple quality players. They just get rid of them as soon as they start earning real money.
The 10000 foot view is just revolting. They could sign a stud like Juan Soto to a a deal roughly the size of the total current payroll and still barely break 100 mil. Not saying they will or even should, just trying to illustrate a point. You can develop and draft. It can even be the main driver of player development. You still need to be willing to pay some talent.
