Jump to content

Zach Britton is Too Filthy for the Pen

aaron_cls

By aaron_cls
in Orioles Talk

Recommended Posts

aaron_cls A-Ball

aaron_cls

Posted
Posted

I'm sorry, but if this continues, we really need to consider whether he should be back in the rotation. This is the guy we were all drooling over 3 years ago, velocity + sink + control. Don't we owe it to this team to not waste this on the bullpen forever if there is a chance he could do it for 200+ innings a year instead of just 70? Certainly I think he has to be a candidate for some saves if we aren't going to stretch him out. Just my opinion -- what do you all think??

That said, way to go Zach! Glad to have you back (and glad the O's never gave you up).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 163
  • Created
  • Last Reply
oriole Veteran All-Star

oriole

Posted
Posted

Almost 50 pitches thrown today. I think Buck may be quietly stretching him out so that he is an option. With Patton coming back soon and some struggles in the rotation you gotta think a move to the rotation for Britton is looking more and more like a possibility.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
VeveJones007 Hangout Veteran Council

VeveJones007

Posted
Posted

I'm really happy that his sinker is back to where it is. But before I would consider him for starting, I would need to see some success with his change up.

I don't have enough confidence in his slider to think that he'll consistently have success against righties.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Spy Fox Veteran All-Star

Spy Fox

Posted
Posted

He might be one of those guys like Tommy Hunter that is just better in the pen. Hard to say.

But if he keeps this up, he'll probably either get some starts this year or get moved to the closer role if Hunter struggles. No matter what is role, he is very valuable to us right now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
McLovin Veteran All-Star

McLovin

Posted
Posted

They certainly stretched him out. And Patton is returning in a few weeks...

I'd be reluctant to break what is working, especially given his past shoulder problems. Maybe the bullpen suits him. I might rather see him close than start.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MrOrange82 Hangout Grand Counsel

MrOrange82

Posted
Posted
Having him go 3 innings today is interesting. 42 pitches. Curious if they're intentionally stretching him out?

I hope they aren't. Just because someone pitches well out of the pen does not mean they should be re-turned into a starter. After years of struggle, Britton seems to have found a role in which he excels. Absolutely no reason to considering moving, IMO. And I'll continue to say that even if his ERA holds at 0.00 for the foreseeable future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mark_beckens Major Leaguer Rising Star

mark_beckens

Posted
Posted
I'm sorry, but if this continues, we really need to consider whether he should be back in the rotation. This is the guy we were all drooling over 3 years ago, velocity + sink + control. Don't we owe it to this team to not waste this on the bullpen forever if there is a chance he could do it for 200+ innings a year instead of just 70? Certainly I think he has to be a candidate for some saves if we aren't going to stretch him out. Just my opinion -- what do you all think??

That said, way to go Zach! Glad to have you back (and glad the O's never gave you up).

Here's a novel idea. How about we wait another month or two. Then see how he and others are pitching before you make a determination on where he should be pitching. I realize this requires some patience, which seems to be lacking around here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ohfan67 Hangout Grand Counsel

Ohfan67

Posted
Posted

As soon as Buck puts someone in a role where they succeed, then a number of posters immediately call for the person's role to be expanded. This is an endless process on the board (and basically by all fans). Almost all pitchers are better out of the bullpen than when they start. Britton's excellent start to the season out of the bullpen does not guarantee success as a starting pitcher.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MrOrange82 Hangout Grand Counsel

MrOrange82

Posted
Posted
Here's a novel idea. How about we wait another month or two. Then see how he and others are pitching before you make a determination on where he should be pitching. I realize this requires some patience, which seems to be lacking around here.

And in the meantime, recognize and appreciate that having Britton in the bullpen as someone who can pitch 2-3 innings in tight games means that you're making the bullpen significantly deeper and better-rested.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Posts

    • sportsfan8703
      Is Luzardo a realistic target?

      By sportsfan8703 · Posted

      A Kimbrel signing would tell me that we’re out on Luzardo, and Cease. Wells as a SP. Why give up one of Westburg, Holliday, Mayo, Basallo, Cowser, or Kjerstad? I wouldn’t doubt if Santander, Urias, and Ortiz, was our actual best offer. Kimbrel as closer puts us where we were at the end of September. Wells should be able to build upon his really strong 1st half by able to go another 30-50 IP as a strong SP. I’d feel comfortable if we added Robertson too. The time to get aggressive is at the deadline. I doubt Elias and Co. chose Flaherty over Montgomery. Seems like his hands were tied over Montgomery costing more money the rest of the way. $4 million ish. Elias just knows what to expect this deadline and to leave himself some wiggle room. 
    • sportsfan8703
      2024 Draft Lottery Results

      By sportsfan8703 · Posted

      They need to add the ability to trade picks other than the awarded comp picks. 
    • sportsfan8703
      Winter Meetings Thread

      By sportsfan8703 · Posted

      IMO Bradish, Grayson, Means, Kremer, Wells Kimbrel, Cano, Webb, Baumann, Baker Coloumbe, Perez, Irvin AAA - Hall, Tate, Zimmerman, Akin It makes a lot of sense. We could bring in the Japanese reliever to have optionable depth on the RH side. We could sign Robertson. We wouldn’t have to trade a big piece for Luzardo/Cease. 
    • wildcard
      Do you care what Adam Frazier has to say?

      By wildcard · Posted

      Do I care what Frazer thinks?    Yes,  he has been around for a while with Pittsburgh, Seattle before being part of a 101 wins in Baltimore.  He has a perspective that is interesting. I like his points about why Hyde is such a good manager.   His comment about Holliday was good to hear.     Glenn kept trying to get him pumped up about the O's being special and Frazier enjoy his time here.  Thinks they are winning group of players, some special moments but overall he wants to be on winning team and says there are other places to win. He know the chances of returning to the O's are slim.   And he also wants to get paid which is not in the cards with the O's going forward. Overall a nice interview.
    • CaptainRedbeard
      Winter Meetings Thread

      By CaptainRedbeard · Posted

      Kimbrel has always made the most sense among the free agents. He’s the best RP that will likely be available on a 1-year deal. He really wants to close. The Orioles have a closer vacancy, and some money to spend on 2024 payroll, but seem entirely allergic to multi-year contracts. Kimbrel is a LONG way from Bautista at this stage of his career but he’s still a good RP (playoff meltdown this year notwithstanding). So long as the Orioles are willing to move him out of the closer role or play lefty matchups with Hall/Coulombe if his performance warrants that, it’s probably the best acquisition we can reasonably hope for given a multi-year deal seems unlikely. 
    • dystopia
      2024 Draft Lottery Results

      By dystopia · Posted

      Glad the O's drew the right straws here, but still don't like the lottery system. Maybe make the top 5 worst teams draw straws for the first 5 picks and then go by record after that if you really care about tanking.  None of this is really going to stop tanking though, since tanking is really about owners cutting costs rather than getting high draft picks.
    • sportsfan8703
      Winter Meetings Thread

      By sportsfan8703 · Posted

      MLBTR is reporting that that O’s are “seriously engaged” with Craig Kimbrel.  https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/orioles-seriously-engaged-on-craig-kimbrel.html He fills a need.  It would be nice just to have him in the bank.  We could pair him with Robertson, and have a really experienced back half of the bullpen.  It would get us through 162 with the potential of a Bautista September return, and a deadline deal for the playoffs.  It also frees Wells up for the open rotation spot.     

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...