I've got six SPs who can realistically throw 180 good innings each, and my two LRs would be decent back-end starters as well.
I could try to trade one of the LRs, but it would just be a salary dump. So I'm thinking of a six man rotation.

Possible benefits:
- all six stay fresh and always pitch at 100%
- possible lowered injury risk?
- the two LRs can still stay involved, I won't have a #8 guy sitting around doing nothing all season
Downside:
- none of them will likely win any awards for this LOL

I've run six-man in the minor leagues but that's to cover for a lack of DUR/STA; in this case I'm looking more to keep everyone active. I could run four tandems but that feels more like a way to cover for a lack of talent.

Anyone back me up on this, or talk me out of it?

I'd run a typical 5 man rotation and put your worst rated pitcher as a LR or SU. Then adjust accordingly after the first 50 games -- if your sixth starter is pitching better than any of your five starters, maybe swap em. The idea is to have all eight guys getting innings to see what they have this season. Once they show their hand, minimize the IP of the guys that are pitching worse than usual and maximize the IP of the guys who are pitching better than usual.

Agree with tlowster. In your particular situation, Gandarillas isn't as good as the other 5; you don't want him throwing the 150 or so innings he'd get in the SP6 role. He's your LR with a 5-man rotation.

Posted by damag on 1/12/2022 8:18:00 AM (view original):
I've got six SPs who can realistically throw 180 good innings each, and my two LRs would be decent back-end starters as well.
I could try to trade one of the LRs, but it would just be a salary dump. So I'm thinking of a six man rotation.

Possible benefits:
- all six stay fresh and always pitch at 100%
- possible lowered injury risk?
- the two LRs can still stay involved, I won't have a #8 guy sitting around doing nothing all season
Downside:
- none of them will likely win any awards for this LOL

I've run six-man in the minor leagues but that's to cover for a lack of DUR/STA; in this case I'm looking more to keep everyone active. I could run four tandems but that feels more like a way to cover for a lack of talent.

Anyone back me up on this, or talk me out of it?

I've done 6 man before but only if the guys are really good or have super low durability. The problem is it really doesn't reduce the load on your bullpen. If the guys are good enough that you want to run 6 I'd do tandems as that takes a lot of pressure off of your bullpen and gets innings to your best guys.

Would depend on the quality of your six pitchers. If there isn't a standout, six can work just fine. If you do have an ace or something close, you would be giving fewer innings to that pitcher.