Roster mismanagement needs to be resolved

[Fear The Chorizo]

I understand the need to keep an extra starter on the active roster until we know exactly what Sheets' situation is - what I don't get is why we also need to have two extra bullpen arms, namely when one of them doesn't see action in game situations much at all.

 

Turnbow had a great 2005 - he had a good start to 2006 until his second half meltdown. In 2007, he was very good at times and very bad at times - the game to game struggles that plagued him during his time with the Phillies and Angels seemed to return. So far in 2008, he's only been used in games without much on the line, and he's still scuffled to throw strikes, get outs, and keep the opponent from scoring. With Cameron's suspension ending in about a week, and Gwynn possibly getting back once the calendar rolls into May, there has to be something done with Turnbow. If the Brewers can't trust him in any situation, they HAVE to release/trade him. Keeping him in Milwaukee wastes a roster spot and will only lead to the rest of the bullpen burning out. I don't care what his contract is valued at, or what he did the past few seasons - if he's a head case and if there's no confidence in him to pitch, he needs to be replaced on the roster with someone who can contribute in the bullpen.

 

I'd actually like to see Turnbow get regular work in games between now and Cameron's return to see what he does...he's stunk so far this year, but to his defense it is difficult to get in sync when you don't really have a role on the team and you get an appearance every 7-8 games.

[UndraftedFA]

I agree that I would like to see Turnbow more. I don't think it is doing him any favors by not using him. It has got to be hard to stay sharp that way.

[JohnBriggs12]

I agree with you FTC. Roster management is a prime task of the GM. Granted having a guy on suspension is a unique circumstance, but never should a team be put in the position of having 14 pitchers on their roster.

 

I understand Yost's reluctance to be burned a 3rd straight year by the same guy. What I don't understand is why this wasn't addressed in the offseason. It was completely foreseeable. This regime's reluctance to admit mistakes and move on baffles me. It was a mistake buying out two of Turnbow's arby years after one big year, especially considering his rather checkered career up to that point. But this team now has a lot of middling salary guys. When you have as many as they do, occasionally you are going to have to eat some salary if you can't deal a guy.

 

Now I'm not sure I'd give Turnbow regular work in close games at this point. What would it prove? Either he'd do well, which would not erase the memory of him failing down the stretch in 06 and 07, or he'd do poorly and cost games now. I don't think his trade value can be rebuilt in a week. Just release him, add a bat to the roster, and get on with it. Maybe that's the plan come early next week when Cameron returns.

[TooLiveBrew]

What I don't understand is why this wasn't addressed in the offseason. It was completely foreseeable. This regime's reluctance to admit mistakes and move on baffles me. It was a mistake buying out two of Turnbow's arby years after one big year, especially considering his rather checkered career up to that point.

 

It was addressed, as Melvin added Riske, Torres, & Gagne. TBow can pitch the Spurling/Wise/Aquino innings this season & still provide good value for the team (not to mention that he's an upgrade over the aforementioned pitchers). Clearly there wasn't anything worth moving Derrick for this past offseason, which isn't too surprising. While it sucks to have to pay $3.2 mil. for this season, the contract is off the books after 2008. I don't see any way in which TBow's contract has prevented or will prevent anything the Brewers have planned.

[Fatter than Joey]

not to mention that he's an upgrade over the aforementioned pitchers

 

Not as he is being used.

 

I have no idea why he is on the roster with 13 other pitchers, never to pitch in a meaningful game.

[jazzytrav]

I'd actually like to see Turnbow get regular work in games between now and Cameron's return to see what he does...he's stunk so far this year, but to his defense it is difficult to get in sync when you don't really have a role on the team and you get an appearance every 7-8 games.

I agree with this. Something just needs to be done because he's wasting a spot. If they don't trust him and he's not going to pitch, then why bother carrying him in the bullpen when they can have someone they trust more?

 

I think Turnbow could still be useful, but I'm not the one making the decisions, and the one making the decisions is leaving him in the pen to rot. What good is that doing for anyone? It's bad for the team and it's bad for Turnbow.

[TheBwaz]

The way Turnbow is being used he is niehter A) Staying sharp or B) Showing that he is worth anything. What possible master plan could be in store? We aren't using him, but we are going to get nothing in that ball bag if we don't use him for SOMETHING.

 

Also, the 14 pitcher thing is horrible, and is squarely on Doug's shoulders. Every loss we suffer while carrying 14 pitchers I shall refer to as a "Melvin". Yost is crazy and needs regular manager pills (Ask you doctor if Managol is right for you) but I will eat my socks if he asked for 14 pitchers.

[bobskube]

I would just DFA him and use a spot for someone else. I wouldn't want him to have a couple good games in a row for only Ned to get confidence in him and for him to blow a few games after that.

[jazzytrav]

Quick question. If he's DFA'd and some team picks him up, they pay his salary, right? And if he's not claimed, he can go down to AAA where he can work on things in a less stressful situation. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong because I'm still learning some of this stuff dealing with MLB service time and options and things of that nature.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Shouldn't we expect a roster move before today's game because we aren't playing the Lefty Loaded Reds anymore and Gwynn has had plenty of rehab time down in the Music City?

[endaround]

I thought so but there was talk of giving Gwynn one more game in Nashville before he comes up. Why is anybody's guess

[igor67]

There is an awful lot of criticizing bad outcomes instead of bad decisions by Yost when it comes to the bullpen, but if there is one thing he cannot do, it is manage more than 5 bullpen arms. His closer inevitably gets ridden into the ground as he'll pitch in any save situation (only a weakling can't pitch 4 days in a row!) and his players at the end of the bullpen never see work and then stink when they finally do because they go so long in between appearances. The non-Mclung relievers on the staff are all pretty close in ability, so in theory while each has strengths and weaknesses they could all see plenty of set-up work and keep everybody fresh. Melvin ought to whip out the game logs and usage patterns and go through inning by inning this year and explain to Yost in great detail where there were situations he could have used everyone better, because he clearly doesn't understand.

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

A lot of criticism of Yost seems to have carried over from 2007. While I would certainly agree he brought much of it on himself last year, I'm willing to give him more rope to start the year.

 

As far as 4 days for Gagne', lesson learned. They communicated with Gagne', he thought he could go, his fastball wasn't the same and he coughed it up big. Last year he would have left him out there until the bitter end, at least he yanked him. Those homers came awfully quick and Encarnacion's was on a pitch well outside of the strike zone. The 2008 Yost may be more flexible than the past and not run him out there more than 2 days in a row anymore.

 

I would like to see Turnbow get more of a shot too, but if he would have put him out there in Cincy and he'd have blown it...this board would have gone into Yosted-meltdown mode. I think Turnbow's problems stem more from oversue than anything. That's not an issue right now.

 

Let's give some credit to Melvin/Yost for carrying 14 arms the other day in Cincy. With a heavy left handed lineup, keeping Stetter in there and giving Shouse some rest paid off. Stetter kept them in the ballgame and should have gotten the win.

 

I reserve the right to change my mind, but so far I have no problems with what I've seen from Yost or Melvin. It's a long season...take a deep breath.