Britton"close" to being back within a month..

[Flosman]

So. Excited. For Zach Britton to return.

Hammel, Chen, Britton, Arrieta, Matusz
Long/Spot guy: Hunter

Trade for Pavano at the deadline

Fun summer.

Honestly I think we have 6 SP better than Pavano. I would seriously be POed if we gave anything of any value for him.

[crowmst3k!]

If I'm not mistaken today he throws an 80 pitch game in XST, and if all is well gets his first MiLB rehab start in 4 days.

I'd say two rehab starts until he's "ready" to come back, at which point they'll either bring him up and move Hunter or Matusz to the pen, or keep him in Norfolk until it's necessary.

Pitching. Depth. Love it.

[NickM21]

It's easy to forget he was by far our best pitcher early on last year. He has the talent to surpass every one of our starters. It probably won't happen, but it could. Only Arrieta and maybe Chen has beter stuff.

[Lucky Jim]

It's easy to forget he was by far our best pitcher early on last year. He has the talent to surpass every one of our starters. It probably won't happen, but it could. Only Arrieta and maybe Chen has beter stuff.

Chen? I think Hammel has arguably the best stuff in our rotation (actually, I think Arrieta and Hammel are pretty comparable stuff-wise). I don't see Chen in that category. That said, as much as I've been bullish on Britton from A+ ball forward, his secondaries aren't nearly refined enough to consider him a big "stuff" guy. He has one pitch that - when it's working - can be plus. His others just flash.

[Brendan25]

If I'm not mistaken today he throws an 80 pitch game in XST, and if all is well gets his first MiLB rehab start in 4 days.

I'd say two rehab starts until he's "ready" to come back, at which point they'll either bring him up and move Hunter or Matusz to the pen, or keep him in Norfolk until it's necessary.

Pitching. Depth. Love it.

At that pace you would think that he would be ready to either be in the rotation or Norfolk by first or second week of June.

[NickM21]

Chen? I think Hammel has arguably the best stuff in our rotation (actually, I think Arrieta and Hammel are pretty comparable stuff-wise). I don't see Chen in that category. That said, as much as I've been bullish on Britton from A+ ball forward, his secondaries aren't nearly refined enough to consider him a big "stuff" guy. He has one pitch that - when it's working - can be plus. His others just flash.

Oops I actually meant to say Hammel not Chen. While Britton may not have the repitoire of Arrieta or Hammel, his one pitch is so good it can make to have better results anyway like we saw briefly last year. I still think Arrieta will be our best starter and always have, but Britton can easily be up there too.

[crowmst3k!]

I mean, it would be great if Britton could add another pitch in the minors, but at this point, I'd be fine with his power sinker/slider working well again.

[jamalshw]

Chen? I think Hammel has arguably the best stuff in our rotation (actually, I think Arrieta and Hammel are pretty comparable stuff-wise). I don't see Chen in that category. That said, as much as I've been bullish on Britton from A+ ball forward, his secondaries aren't nearly refined enough to consider him a big "stuff" guy. He has one pitch that - when it's working - can be plus. His others just flash.

If you have one plus pitch and the rest are average, if you locate well enough, that makes you an above average pitcher. If you were to assume starting pitchers are distributed evenly among all 30 teams and you account for the fringe guys and spot starters, an average pitcher is probably a #4 starter. If you have all average pitches, that (in theory) makes you a #4ish starter. If you add one very plus pitch to that, you can arguably be a #2 or 3.

I believe Britton can easily come back and be a solid #3 this year, which would be a big boon for us!

[Lucky Jim]

If you have one plus pitch and the rest are average, if you locate well enough, that makes you an above average pitcher. If you were to assume starting pitchers are distributed evenly among all 30 teams and you account for the fringe guys and spot starters, an average pitcher is probably a #4 starter. If you have all average pitches, that (in theory) makes you a #4ish starter. If you add one very plus pitch to that, you can arguably be a #2 or 3.

I believe Britton can easily come back and be a solid #3 this year, which would be a big boon for us!

I sort-of follow, but don't agree with the assumptions or theories here. It assumes both stability of offerings and command, neither of which apply to Britton. I absolutely think Britton could pitch like a No. 3 for us this year, however.

[NickM21]

If Britton does come back to pitch like a #3, what does our rotation have?

Arrieta #2
Hammel #2
Chen #3
Britton #3
Matusz #4
Hunter #5

I'm sure everyone will have different opinions on that. I think this is the "realistic ceiling" view for 2012 for our rotation, however. A couple of them will probably not live up to that. Aside from Britton, Arrieta can really swing things one way or the other.

That kind of reminds me of the Rays rotation a few years ago.

[baltfan]

If Britton does come back to pitch like a #3, what does our rotation have?

Arrieta #2
Hammel #2
Chen #3
Britton #3
Matusz #4
Hunter #5

I'm sure everyone will have different opinions on that. I think this is the "realistic ceiling" view for 2012 for our rotation, however. A couple of them will probably not live up to that. Aside from Britton, Arrieta can really swing things one way or the other.

That kind of reminds me of the Rays rotation a few years ago.

Arrietta is not a #2. I wish he was, but he isn't.

[Florida_Osfan]

Arrieta #2
Hammel #2
Chen #3
Britton #3
Matusz #4
Hunter #5

Are those long term ceilings? If so, I respectfully disagree with your Matusz and Arrieta projections. I think it's a bit too early to say Matusz is no more than a #4 starter, though I could see the argument for a #3. My hopes still go higher, but I'd take a number three if he's consistently one of them.

Arrieta seems more like a 3/4, or at least that seems to have been his projections thus far. What makes you think he's going to exceed them?

[Can_of_corn]

90-92 is a bit disappointing but he has time to build up arm strength.

[Frobby]

90-92 is a bit disappointing but he has time to build up arm strength.

Where is this coming from? In any event, I'm more worried about health and endurance than velocity right now.

[Brendan25]

5 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 5 K's.

Staying in Floriday until Thursday, and then making two rehab assignments

Said his stuff is the best it's been.