Simon claimed by the Reds

[El Gordo]

Why can't Patton pitch 3 innings of long relief ?

Isn't he pitching with a rehabbed labrum tear. I always thought that was the reason they were carefull with his innings.

[Mayor McCheese]

What AL team is worse than us? I think none. Again, not saying it is a groundbreaking move, just saying we have nobody to replace him.

So you are telling me you would rather have Gregg on this over Simon? I wouldn't.

Yes, I would.

Do we have to look up the stats for this one...

[DrungoHazewood]

Why can't Patton pitch 3 innings of long relief ?

No reason. Well, besides the fact his career strongly suggests he's overmatched in anything but a very specialized role. But if you're pitching long relief chances are really good that you're down 7 runs and it doesn't matter.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Isn't he pitching with a rehabbed labrum tear. I always thought that was the reason they were carefull with his innings.

That's been awhile. I thougt he was onverted because he wasn't a particularly good starter. Not like he's a specialty reliever or anything.

[CA-ORIOLE]

No reason. Well, besides the fact his career strongly suggests he's overmatched in anything but a very specialized role. But if you're pitching long relief chances are really good that you're down 7 runs and it doesn't matter.

Not sure Patton is any less effective against RHB's than Bergesen is against LHB's or Simon was against RHB's etc.

[RZNJ]

Patton had labrum surgery years ago. He came back as a starter in AA and AAA. I can't see why his shoulder should be a reason for him not being able to go 3 innings. However, as Drungo pointed out, he wasn't every effective as a starter in AAA and eventually found a niche as a short man where he's been effective. No one knows if he can be as effective for 2,3 or 4 innings.

[DrungoHazewood]

Isn't he pitching with a rehabbed labrum tear. I always thought that was the reason they were carefull with his innings.

I assumed they were careful with his innings because his Harbor Park ERA as a starter was like 5.00, which is of course terrible. Patton faces too many righties or goes through the order more than once and he's cooked.

[Catch 8]

Damn it damn it! For the first time since 2004, if I want to park at the game, it won't be in the players' lot. I suppose walking is good for me...

[Frobby]

I thought Simon was useful due to his versatility, and there was always a sense that if he could find more consistency he could be a pretty good pitcher. However, to me the fact that the O's felt comfortable waiving him is a good sign -- simply put, there are 12 pitchers they'd rather have on the major league roster and a bunch of others they'd rather have on the 40-man. Similarly, the fact that there was even a doubt that Matusz would be in the rotation after the solid spring he had is a good sign.

I do think Simon was a better candidate for long relief than anyone currently on the roster. However, if it becomes a big problem, they can just bring up Bergesen or Tillman to fill that role. For now, Patton should be adequate. The main thing is not to have so many games where the starter is pulled before pitching at least 5 innings. That happened 35 times last season - despite the fact that Jeremy Guthrie went at least 5 IP in all 32 of his starts. So, when anyone else pitched, there was a better than 1 in 4 chance that the pitcher would be knocked out before the 5th inning was complete.

[canonfaz]

I thought Simon was useful due to his versatility, and there was always a sense that if he could find more consistency he could be a pretty good pitcher. However, to me the fact that the O's felt comfortable waiving him is a good sign -- simply put, there are 12 pitchers they'd rather have on the major league roster and a bunch of others they'd rather have on the 40-man. Similarly, the fact that there was even a doubt that Matusz would be in the rotation after the solid spring he had is a good sign.

I do think Simon was a better candidate for long relief than anyone currently on the roster. However, if it becomes a big problem, they can just bring up Bergesen or Tillman to fill that role. For now, Patton should be adequate. The main thing is not to have so many games where the starter is pulled before pitching at least 5 innings. That happened 35 times last season - despite the fact that Jeremy Guthrie went at least 5 IP in all 32 of his starts. So, when anyone else pitched, there was a better than 1 in 4 chance that the pitcher would be knocked out before the 5th inning was complete.

Wow! What a horrible stat. There is no way our starting rotation can be that bad this year (I think I said that last year too). Yikes.

[DrungoHazewood]

The main thing is not to have so many games where the starter is pulled before pitching at least 5 innings. That happened 35 times last season - despite the fact that Jeremy Guthrie went at least 5 IP in all 32 of his starts. So, when anyone else pitched, there was a better than 1 in 4 chance that the pitcher would be knocked out before the 5th inning was complete.

The Orioles had 27 games where the starter was pulled before throwing 80 pitches. The average was 16, and every other team in the AL was between 8 and 24.

The Orioles' starters averaged 92 pitches per start. The league average was 98, and every other AL team was between 95 and 102.

The Orioles had 15 fewer 100-pitch starts than any other AL team, and were 29 below average.

Some of this was obviously due to (lack of) quality starters, but I think Buck also has a quick hook.

[atomic]

Wow! What a horrible stat. There is no way our starting rotation can be that bad this year (I think I said that last year too). Yikes.

Why would you think that? We got rid of the only starter who could go 5 innings.

[DrungoHazewood]

Why would you think that? We got rid of the only starter who could go 5 innings.

Because quality of pitcher is a better predictor of the ability to go deep into games than previous record of going deep into games. Do the O's have better starters this year than last? Probably. So there's a good chance they have more guys who'll last deeper into games.

[Frobby]

The Orioles had 27 games where the starter was pulled before throwing 80 pitches. The average was 16, and every other team in the AL was between 8 and 24.

The Orioles' starters averaged 92 pitches per start. The league average was 98, and every other AL team was between 95 and 102.

The Orioles had 15 fewer 100-pitch starts than any other AL team, and were 29 below average.

Some of this was obviously due to (lack of) quality starters, but I think Buck also has a quick hook.

He did seem to have a quick hook at times last year, which is odd, because when he arrived here in 2010 he made a big point of saying he expected the starters to go deeper in games. Then again, when a guy has been shelled for a few innings it really doesn't matter how many pitches he's thrown.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Why would you think that? We got rid of the only starter who could go 5 innings.

Again, you're right, because pitchers, especially young ones, don't change over time.