Kevin Kelly writes a long, fawning article about Don Gullett in today’s Enquirer.
Shows staff ERA during Gullett ERA:
Does show staff ERA and rank during the Gullett era:
’04 5.19 15
’03 5.09 15
’02 4.27 11
’01 4.77 14
’00 4.33 5th
’99 3.99 4th
’98 4.44 10th
’97 4.42 10th
’96 4.33 8th
’95 4.03 4th
’94 3.78 3rd
’93 4.51 12th
Says that “Schourek, Harnisch, Tomko, Dessens, and Wilson, to a degree, are five such cases (reclamation) that come to mind”.
Also gives a “projected 12 man staff”:
SP: Wilson, Milton, Ortiz, Harang, Claussen
RP: Weathers, Weber, Mercker, Hancock, Stone, Wagner, Graves
I’m finding it real hard to understand why teams are requiring as many as 12 pitchers; unless you’ve got a bunch of lefties in the bullpen with plans of supersizing platoon advantages or a really unhealthy staff. The above staff doesn’t appear to match either of those categories.
It sure seems to limit some of our options. If we had a solid eight-man starting positional lineup that never got hurt, it may make it easier, too, but carrying 12 pitchers seems to limit a lot of other options in my mind.
It’s just overkill.