Roch on Troy Patton

[srock]

Roch's latest.

He discusses and interviews Troy Patton about his chances of making the team.

Personally, I like Patton in the bullpen and think the pen should have 2 lefties who can go multiple innings. Wada and Patton make a lot of sense in these roles.

To me, Troy has to stay healthy. He has put in his time, gotten healthy, and earned his spot last year. I think its its his job to lose this spring.

[Frobby]

I liked Patton a lot last year. He's not overpowering, but knows how to pitch. There's no way he'd make it through waivers if he's not on the 25-man roster, so I hope he makes it. I'd be ticked if we lost him.

[Todd-O]

Roch's latest.

Wada and Patton make a lot of sense in these roles.

Not to nit-pick, but how could Wada make sense for any role at this point? We haven't seen the man throw a single pitch to any major league team...

[srock]

Not to nit-pick, but how could Wada make sense for any role at this point? We haven't seen the man throw a single pitch to any major league team...

Well...the idea of Wada. A lefty who should be effective against righties and lefties and go multiple innings.

I agree, Wada hasn't proven that's what he is. Maybe Philips is a better comp, which is what Roch points out.

[DrungoHazewood]

Not to nit-pick, but how could Wada make sense for any role at this point? We haven't seen the man throw a single pitch to any major league team...

Oh, I don't know, maybe the decade of being one of the best starting pitchers in Japan? Or the 1.51 ERA in '11? The career K:BB ratio of over 3:1?

It's not like Wada is some rube who just showed up unannounced to an open tryout camp in a straw hat with a bat in a suitcase. He has a very good 10-year performance record in the best non-MLB league in the world.

[kane]

It's not like Wada is some rube who just showed up unannounced to an open tryout camp in a straw hat with a bat in a suitcase.

...or an "I WILL SURVIVE" potleaf t-shirt

[Ooooooohhhh!!!!]

It's not like Wada is some rube who just showed up unannounced to an open tryout camp in a straw hat with a bat in a suitcase.

Like this guy?

[backwardsk]

In the piece, Patton mentions that there are 9 guys in competition for the 5 rotation spots. I see:

Chen, Arietta, Britton, Matusz, Wada, Hammel, Hunter, Eveland. And then who is the 9th, Tillman, Bergesen, Gallaraga?

Regarding Wada, the lack of interest from other teams to have him start gives me pause. The write-up on him is his control and the ablility to set up his pitches. With the 3:1 K/BB ratio, I'm wondering if he got the Maddux treatment and that he won't get that in the states.

EDIT: On second glance, maybe I mis-read it and he meant that the ole cliche of having nine guys compete. I thought, at first, he was referring to the rotation.

[oriole]

There are plenty of left handed pitching options this spring. I think Patton proved himself last year and would love to see him make the team. Otherwise, he is easily claimed. Though Chen, Wada, and Eveland are other serious BP options (some more than others) and considering the left handedness of the rotation options I doubt the pen will have the same ratio. I think 2 left handers in the pen is probably the max.

[backwardsk]

There are plenty of left handed pitching options this spring. I think Patton proved himself last year and would love to see him make the team. Otherwise, he is easily claimed. Though Chen, Wada, and Eveland are other serious BP options (some more than others) and considering the left handedness of the rotation options I doubt the pen will have the same ratio. I think 2 left handers in the pen is probably the max.

Without injuries, it'll be hard to get three lefties in there when you already have spots for Johnson, Gregg, Lindstrom, Ayala and possibly O'Day/Simon/Bergesen/Tillman*.
This is assuming that both Hammel and Hunter make the rotation.

*I don't think they'll entertain the idea of moving Tillman to the pen, but stranger things have happened

[Art Wing]

Without injuries, it'll be hard to get three lefties in there when you already have spots for Johnson, Gregg, Lindstrom, Ayala and possibly O'Day/Simon/Bergesen/Tillman*.
This is assuming that both Hammel and Hunter make the rotation.

*I don't think they'll entertain the idea of moving Tillman to the pen, but stranger things have happened

Ayala is the clear mistake signing in this equation.

[Art Wing]

Oh, I don't know, maybe the decade of being one of the best starting pitchers in Japan? Or the 1.51 ERA in '11? The career K:BB ratio of over 3:1?

It's not like Wada is some rube who just showed up unannounced to an open tryout camp in a straw hat with a bat in a suitcase. He has a very good 10-year performance record in the best non-MLB league in the world.

Must spread rep.

[scOtt]

Ayala is the clear mistake signing in this equation.

I don't know about that. There's still a lot of interest (on this board) to bring Koji back. That would cost probably two decent players in trade, plus his salary. Ayala is much cheaper and I think much more likely to put up the numbers we'd hope for from Uehara.

[oriole]

Ayala is the clear mistake signing in this equation.

I don't think Ayala is a clear mistake. He had a great year last year and while he won't match that, if he stays close to his career average he is pretty solid. Same goes for Lindstrom, O'Day, and even Gregg. If those four get close to career averages, Johnson keeps doing what he's been doing and we get a couple solid lefties, say Wada and Patton...then that's a pretty good bullpen.

[DrungoHazewood]

I don't know about that. There's still a lot of interest (on this board) to bring Koji back. That would cost probably two decent players in trade, plus his salary. Ayala is much cheaper and I think much more likely to put up the numbers we'd hope for from Uehara.

I don't necessarily think Ayala is a mistake. I think it's a mistake to assume he's going to put up a 2.09 ERA again, and it's probably a mistake to think he'll outpitch Koji. The last time he had a FIP or an xFIP below 4.00 was 2004, for Les Expos. Koji's carer FIP/xFIP are just a tick above 3.00, and over the last two years his K:BB ratio is approaching infinity. Ok, actually 10, but close enough.

Ayala is a decent enough $1M random arm. Koji could close.