[VAChief]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

It's what I've argued that the Cardinals do for years. The best relievers are repurposed starters. I've said it over and over again. Look at what the Astros have done this year. They've taken guys like Colin McHugh and Brad Peacock, who were shitty starting pitchers, and turned them into excellent relief pitchers. The Royals did it by accident with Davis and Hochevar after they failed miserably in the rotation. The Cardinals have done something similar with players earlier in their development. Guys like Gomber, Poncedeleon, and Hudson all profile to the back end of a rotation, but when they can blow it out for an inning or two, their stuff plays better. Hell, look at the difference between Mayers in the pen compared to starting. Eventually, one or two of them will have more value in the rotation, but as long as they have velocity and good control, they're usable for an inning or two, which is a damned sight better than paying $26 million per year to Cecil, Gregerson, and Holland, The Three ****sketeers.

Old school is often still valid. Some of our best closers were failed starters.