Villanueva is a starter

[adambr2]

Plain and simple. I think he's just more comfortable knowing he's starting a game every 5th day, rather than coming out of the pen, warming up every day, and being put into unexpected situations. It worked for the first half of the season, and then he just started to tire from the everyday grind.

I think starting every 5th day and nothing more, he can be easily groomed into a guy who can throw 110 pitches effectively every 5th day.

I'm not just basing this belief on this season. He has succeeded in this role almost every time he has been put into it. Twice this season and a handful of times last season. He's a starting pitcher. I look at him as kind of an improved version of Vargas. We know he'll give us 5 or 6 strong and we'll almost always be in it. But I think we can count on at least 6 most outings once he gets his arm strength built up.

CV should have a spot in our rotation next year. He'll be a great #4 or #5 and at his age, will only improve. If we're not going to put him in the rotation next season, we should trade him.

[clancyphile]

Sheets, Capuano, Gallardo, Suppan, Villanueva?

[Ennder]

Sheets, Capuano, Gallardo, Suppan, Villanueva?

 

I'd have to assume Bush gets that spot and Capuano gets traded given what happened this year but its gonna be a hard thing to call. Capuano has a career long history of struggling the 3rd time through the order, Bush does not have a history of that. Capuano probably makes more sense out of the bullpen than Bush does.

[jjfanec]

What about Parra? Where does he fit in this discussion? I like our rotation next year a lot more than this year, because we wont have to worry as much about pitch limits. I think Cappy and Vargas are odd men out.

[tigerbrew]

CV should have a spot in our rotation next year.

Yeah, totally agree with that. Sheets, Yo, Suppan, CV and Bush for next year's rotation.

[logan82]

It isn't like he was bad as a reliever. He just got tired from being used to often. Let's face it, he is just a good pitcher. I agree that he should be a starter. Give as many innings as you can to your best pitchers. In my opinion it kind of sucks that we are stuck with Suppan for another 3 years. At this point I believe he will be passed up in the depth chart, but still get a spot in the rotation because of his contract.

[mhage421]

Yeah, totally agree with that. Sheets, Yo, Suppan, CV and Bush for next year's rotation.

The problem there is that we wouldn't have a lefty. One of those five will be left out in the cold. That's where Parra, Cappy, a much improved Zach Jack, or outside help needs to step in.

[paul253]

in all honesty i'd rather have Cappy then Suppan in the rotation, but we arent going to trade Suppan or throw him in the pen. Realistically i think Sheets, Gallardo, Bush, Villanueva and Suppan, with Parra and Capuano out of the pen. I think Vargas is gone