Wade...I've seen all I need to see

by JD McCubbie on Apr 22, 2007 5:57 PM CDT

Look, I like Wade Miller. He's been successful before and perhaps can be again, but right now he's not capable of pitching at the big league level. I'm not ready to jettison him just yet, but he can't continue to be the 5th starter. It's difficult to make the transition between a power pitcher and learning to depend on changing speeds and relying heavily on location. The margin for error just gets so much smaller. Given some time in middle relief in a mop-up role maybe he can fine tune what he's got left. Maybe what we are getting from him now is part of the rehab/healing process and he will recover a little more velocity as he continues to work, but if he's left as the fifth starter the pen will be stretched to its limit constantly and this team can't afford that. I'm certainly not trying to suggest that he's the sole reason the game was lost today, but I've seen enough to know, at least for right now, that he can't be depended on as a starter.

As an aside, I'll be anxiously awaiting what call will be made in regards to the 12th pitcher situation and who gets sent down.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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agree

i hope miller does not get another start. if he does, it's lose lose: he either pitches well enough to win (and so buys himself more time), or he loses. no good. he should be moved into the long relief role, brought in only in blowouts and extra inning affairs.

i think we need a bullpen guy with a big curve ball. it seems like hill has the only really good curveball on the team. i want a guy that throws a big hook almost every time, kinda like johnson for the cardinals (or really most of the cardinal pitchers for that matter). most of are guys are fastball, slider types, which just gets us in trouble. let's get a junkballer.

I don't care about a world series, just be competitive thru September.

by buckmulligan on Apr 22, 2007 6:09 PM CDT reply actions

Wade Miller

Since the guy isn't costing you a whole lot of money, if he doesn't shape up you say, "Best of luck to you", and show him the door. There are plenty of kids at AAA that could come up and pitch serviceably in that 5th starter spot and get some experience. Might as well let them.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Apr 23, 2007 8:31 AM CDT reply actions