OnlyBucs

Just as (to me at least) it's interesting to see how the starting rotation develops this season, it's also interesting to see the work in progress that is the bullpen. We knew what they had in Rivero/Vasquez and Kontos. Feliz gave us a scare in his first game but ever since has been the shut down 7th inning guy we hoped for. Santana is still something of a (?) but has only been scored on in 2 of 7 games. Neverauskas and Smoker were disasters but they're gone now. It's only been 3 games for Crick but the former #1 pick has been strong. Romero and Rodriguez are additional (?)s. Romero has some experience with TB and Wash with little success. Maybe Searage can improve him. At least he can hit! Glasnow is being used like a Rule 5 pick as they're still not sure what he can do or how much they can trust him. I'm hopeful the middle relief will stabilize and this can become a good bullpen.

In my opinion it would be great if the Bucs could acquire a veteran pitcher to bridge to the back end of the bullpen pitchers. A couple years ago they had Blanton to handle those innings, so they need somebody similar to him.

7C70712A232A222F28372D1A0 wrote: In my opinion it would be great if the Bucs could acquire a veteran pitcher to bridge to the back end of the bullpen pitchers. A couple years ago they had Blanton to handle those innings, so they need somebody similar to him.


When do the young pitchers play?



Isn't it better in the long run to see who is good or not and who has a future by playing them all now?



I just have to believe that this will all work out. The cream will rise.

Seems like the bullpen has been fine lately. Feliz is settling in and Crick and Romero seem like upgrades over Dovydas and Smoker.

28232B272223387D7B0C352D242323622F234C0 wrote: In my opinion it would be great if the Bucs could acquire a veteran pitcher to bridge to the back end of the bullpen pitchers. A couple years ago they had Blanton to handle those innings, so they need somebody similar to him.


When do the young pitchers play? 



Isn't it better in the long run to see who is good or not and who has a future by playing them all now? 



I just have to believe that this will all work out.  The cream will rise. 


I agree you must give the young players the chance, but a veteran who has been through multiple seasons should have the ability to handle those situations where the opposing team is going to break open the game. I don’t agree to overpay for some veteran relief pitcher, but Schugel is the type of pitcher who fits the mold because he has had success with pitching out of the bullpen.

6965643F363F373A3D22380F0 wrote: In my opinion it would be great if the Bucs could acquire a veteran pitcher to bridge to the back end of the bullpen pitchers. A couple years ago they had Blanton to handle those innings, so they need somebody similar to him.


When do the young pitchers play? 



Isn't it better in the long run to see who is good or not and who has a future by playing them all now? 



I just have to believe that this will all work out.  The cream will rise. 


I agree you must give the young players the chance, but a veteran who has been through multiple seasons should have the ability to handle those situations where the opposing team is going to break open the game. I don’t agree to overpay for some veteran relief pitcher, but Schugel is the type of pitcher who fits the mold because he has had success with pitching out of the bullpen.


Schugel would be there right now if he were not on the DL. Unfortunately I think he will be there for another month because he will need to do ST all over again.

5E5253080108000D0A150F380 wrote: In my opinion it would be great if the Bucs could acquire a veteran pitcher to bridge to the back end of the bullpen pitchers. A couple years ago they had Blanton to handle those innings, so they need somebody similar to him.


When do the young pitchers play? 



Isn't it better in the long run to see who is good or not and who has a future by playing them all now? 



I just have to believe that this will all work out.  The cream will rise. 


I agree you must give the young players the chance, but a veteran who has been through multiple seasons should have the ability to handle those situations where the opposing team is going to break open the game. I don’t agree to overpay for some veteran relief pitcher, but Schugel is the type of pitcher who fits the mold because he has had success with pitching out of the bullpen.


I think Kontos fills the role of veteran. Schugel could be good in pen but he needs to beat out somebody to get back. Feliz and Romero have experience without a lot of success so far.



It looks like the Bucs have enough good arms to put together a good bullpen this season although there might need to be a few players shuttling to Indy.

Bullpen arms are still failed starters. Only some are groomed to be bullpen pitchers from the start. With the current group in the majors, Indy and Altoona, they can certainly find some guys going forward.

7C70712A232A222F28372D1A0 wrote: In my opinion it would be great if the Bucs could acquire a veteran pitcher to bridge to the back end of the bullpen pitchers. A couple years ago they had Blanton to handle those innings, so they need somebody similar to him.
There were plenty of moans and groans when they acquired Blanton. 34 years old, a starter converted to a reliever who had never been particularly effective, ERA generally in the high 4s, a 2013 season in which he was 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA, retired from baseball in 2014, returned in 2015, DFA'd in 7/15 and acquired by Bucs. No one could have expected he would pitch as he'd never pitched before and have a 1.57 ERA for the Pirates.



It's not as if the Pirates identified a need and went out and got the guy thy knew would do the job. Rather, it was one of those "typical Pirate dumpster dive moves." But it worked out fine. So who's to say that kind of player isn't still out there if not already in the BP? Maybe Romero. Maybe some guy currently struggling on another team. Who knows?

So --- how about an over the top move to try and create a dominant bullpen. Assuming (a big assumption) that the Bucs are for real based on their early season performance, let's make a pitch for Iglesias with the Reds.



He is under 30 and has a monster arm and in many respects is like our own Vasquez. He can close and also help get crucial outs to get a game to a closer. He also is signed to a very reasonable $5 mil/year contract for 2018, 2019 and 2020, but I understand that he can opt-out (a problem) when he becomes arbitration eligible (he will be arbitration eligible in 2019). He also could be more interested in opting out in Pittsburgh because he wouldn't be a full-time closer.



While it would take a lot of young talent to get him, could a move like this strike fear in the hearts of our opponents and confidence in the steps of our young starters and players.



What would it take to get him? I don't know, but it appears that the Reds need a lot of most everything and they clearly are unhappy with what they have since they just fired their manager and some coaches. If Iglesias would give up at least one year of his opt out ability (Couldn't opt out until after 2019 season) following the trade, would a package along the following lines be workable:



Bryan Reynolds (yes I know that he is now injured)

Kevin Newman or Kevin Kraemer

Nick Kingham

Dario Agrazal



A bullpen of Vasquez, Iglesias, Kontos, Feliz, Glasnow, and folks could be downright nasty. Four of the above five throw 95+. Santana, Crick, Schuegel, Romero and others would likely end up pitching much less than they would have liked.