What type of pitching coach will they hire?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I don't even need to prove that shortened outings from initial out getters will be sustainable because the numbers are already out there staring everyone in the face. The average starting outing is under 6 innings. Bullpens are already covering more innings than ever before. The shift isn't from shortening starters, that's already happened. The real shift is lengthening the stints of your relievers. What's funny is that everyone's focus is on the starters. The transition for the Brewers has everything to do with getting away from guys who are only good for 1-2 innings. That's what's going to take some time. You can't just cast off Jeffress and Knebel. They actually have the arms to piggyback and tandem NOW. The future 12-man staff is made up of a dozen pitchers who are all geared to go at least 3 innings. Your best guys will go 4-5 with the rare 6 and be supplemented with guys who regularly go 3-4 with the rare 2. Eliminate the 1 out and 1 inning guys and you have more than enough coverage.

 

9 x 162 = 1458 innings

 

If by some miracle a team uses the same 12 pitchers all year, that workload spread out is 121.5 innings per pitcher. Giving more innings to your best guys, say 150 innings, and less to the guys who are only effective once through, say 90 innings, is not only sustainable, it's extremely efficient and practical. And that's without even dipping beyond the initial 12 man staff, which of course the team will. Sustainability over the course of a full season is a complete non issue. This model is actually easier on pitcher's arms.

 

But then you have the issue of statistics suffering for these guys, and when salaries (both arbitration and free agent contracts) are largely driven by statistics, I foresee if being extremely difficult getting those guys to buy in. You didn't hear much harping out of the team last year because the plan was being utilized in the middle of a playoff push, and it was effective, but if you try to utilize it over the course of a season, I fear that it just isn't going to be sustainable long-term, until the majority of other teams, and MLB as a whole, buy in and revamp the arbitration salary structure and how they value free agent hurlers. Is that possible? Maybe ... but given how long it takes MLB to evolve even a little bit, it is likely going to take multiple years, if not decades.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

100 pitches once every 5 days is an absurdly unnatural physiological use of muscles and tendons. If you need 4 days off to recover from the taxation you've put on a body part, you're overdoing things. Think about bodybulding and exercise. Shorter bursts that require 1-3 days rest before once again working the same muscle group is much more natural. Maxed 60 pitch outings followed by 2-3 days rest max are not only more natural for the body, they're statistically advantageous for pitchers vs hitters. Not only from the standpoint of lessened consecutive exposures to a batter, but the ability to win match-ups with your 2 best pitches and not having to utilize a weaker 3rd or 4th.

 

Rather than the different look coming from a pitcher's weak 3rd and 4th offerings, the different look comes from a fresh arm throwing his 1-2 best pitches. Huge advantage to pitchers.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

When there are 1 inning guys like Soria making $10 million per, it's clear that it won't be difficult at all for the money to be spread more evenly through a pitching staff. A guy like Hader is going to get paid because the stats and common sense say he's more valuable than a 1 inning set-up guy. The most money always goes to the best guys.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

When there are 1 inning guys like Soria making $10 million per, it's clear that it won't be difficult at all for the money to be spread more evenly through a pitching staff. A guy like Hader is going to get paid because the stats and common sense say he's more valuable than a 1 inning set-up guy. The most money always goes to the best guys.

 

Soria makes big bucks because he has a ton of closer experience and gets saves. That's the way salaries typically work in MLB. The guys that ring up the stats get the money. Which means the guys who prove to be the best middle relievers aren't typically middle relievers for long before they are moved to the closer's role. Is that an antiquated mindset? maybe. But it is what it is. These guys care about team success, but they also care about personal stats. A piggybacking starter isn't going to rack up the wins and innings they will typically need to garner big money in both arbitration and free agency.

[homer]

When there are 1 inning guys like Soria making $10 million per, it's clear that it won't be difficult at all for the money to be spread more evenly through a pitching staff. A guy like Hader is going to get paid because the stats and common sense say he's more valuable than a 1 inning set-up guy. The most money always goes to the best guys.

 

Soria makes big bucks because he has a ton of closer experience and gets saves. That's the way salaries typically work in MLB. The guys that ring up the stats get the money. Which means the guys who prove to be the best middle relievers aren't typically middle relievers for long before they are moved to the closer's role. Is that an antiquated mindset? maybe. But it is what it is. These guys care about team success, but they also care about personal stats. A piggybacking starter isn't going to rack up the wins and innings they will typically need to garner big money in both arbitration and free agency.

 

Bullpen guys in general are making more money. Not just save guys. Rockies just gave Jake McGee $27 million over three years. The game is changing, hence, contracts will change with it.Don't think for a second that Hader won't command a ton of dough even if he's never primary closer.

[walleye]

There's reports circulating in the Chicago media that Jim Hickey is out as Cubs pitching coach.

 

Hickey's got a long successful track record. Brewers could do a lot worse. As coaches go, he won't be cheap.

Not saying he would be a bad choice, however isn’t he extremely old school ? Does he fit what our GM is looking for with his analects based coaching concepts?

 

Huh? The Cubs got nothing out of Darvish and Chatwood, lost their closer for the last 2 1/2 months, and still had the 2nd best ERA in the NL and won 95 games despite their offense scoring 0 or 1 run in more games than any team in the NL. Pitching is pitching.

Again I agree with you ....but will our GM ? He seems stuck on analects and I think that may show in who he hires.

[brewmann04]

I am sorry but DS has to be open to hiring the best coach no matter if old school or not

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Soria makes big bucks because he has a ton of closer experience and gets saves. That's the way salaries typically work in MLB. The guys that ring up the stats get the money. Which means the guys who prove to be the best middle relievers aren't typically middle relievers for long before they are moved to the closer's role. Is that an antiquated mindset? maybe. But it is what it is. These guys care about team success, but they also care about personal stats. A piggybacking starter isn't going to rack up the wins and innings they will typically need to garner big money in both arbitration and free agency.

 

Bullpen guys in general are making more money. Not just save guys. Rockies just gave Jake McGee $27 million over three years. The game is changing, hence, contracts will change with it.Don't think for a second that Hader won't command a ton of dough even if he's never primary closer.

 

Exactly. The money will get spent, just spread differently.

[walleye]

I am sorry but DS has to be open to hiring the best coach no matter if old school or not

the answer to that is subjective at best lol

[reillymcshane]

They want a coach who gets up early

A coach who stays up late

A coach with uninterrupted prosperity

Who uses a machete, to cut through red tape

 

With fingernails that shine like justice

And a voice that is dark like tinted glass

A coach who is fast, thorough, and sharp as a tack

A coach who tours the facilities and picks up slack

[joepepsi]

They want a coach who gets up early

A coach who stays up late

A coach with uninterrupted prosperity

Who uses a machete, to cut through red tape

 

With fingernails that shine like justice

And a voice that is dark like tinted glass

A coach who is fast, thorough, and sharp as a tack

A coach who tours the facilities and picks up slack

A coach who wears a short skirt and a loooooong jacket? Now that would be groundbreaking!