My #1 pitcher is returning from the 60 day DL next cycle and I need to make a decision on who to demote. I didn't have any good AAA prospects to promote to take his place in the rotation when he got injured, I didn't have the budget to pick up a free agent, and the AA player I wanted to promote got put on the 60 day DL just 1 cycle prior. So I promoted my next option, a 21 year old 3 year player who had some room for development but with my run at the playoffs I needed my best option in the rotation.

Here is the guy I promoted:

http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=2555032

He has gone 9-1 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in 12 starts with 79 1/3 innings. Solid stats that put him at 3rd in ERA and WHIP of the starters and he has the highest stamina on my ML roster, so he can eat innings as well. I want him to improve- does he have a better chance at improving with another year in the minors or in the ML where he is now?

My other starters have historically pitched well but two in particular have struggled. Alvin Howard has options but is 14-6.

http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=1036193

My other options to demote:

I'm leaning toward demoting:

http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=1414428

I could also demote:

http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=1624033

Although he is playing very well despite his average ratings.



Thoughts?

The rookie.

In the playoff hunt you usually want your best option. Right now Valentin is equal to or better than Grant so I would not demote him.

Diaz is clearly the worst but he also appears to be the back end of your pitching staff, only pitching 16 innings in 118 games...i don't think it's necessary to carry the still developing Grant on the ML roster when he doesn't add much in replacement value...I'd say send Grant back down...

I'm guessing I'll be in the minority on this though...

Quote: Originally Posted By schuyler101 on 1/26/2010
In the playoff hunt you usually want your best option. Right now Valentin is equal to or better than Grant so I would not demote him.

Diaz is clearly the worst but he also appears to be the back end of your pitching staff, only pitching 16 innings in 118 games...i don't think it's necessary to carry the still developing Grant on the ML roster when he doesn't add much in replacement value...I'd say send Grant back down...

I'm guessing I'll be in the minority on this though...

Whoever I demote will get promoted shortly thereafter when the rosters are expanded. I don't want Gant to get hit with a demotion penalty, which may not happen because his demotion is due to a return from injury.

If Diaz only got 16 IP then why would you keep him on the playoff roster and risk the demotion hit to Grant?

Gant should not get a demotion penalty because he was an injury call-up/send-down.

Has to be Diaz. He barely pitched for you. In fact, if you replace him on the roster with a decent stamina guy, you might want to consider carrying one more position player next year.

Make sure Gant still gets work at the ML level and he should keep improving (a little)

So therein lies the final dilemma. If I keep Gant up on the ML roster I feel like I should keep him in the starting rotation, where he would be in AAA, in order for him to continue to improve at a good pace. He is not better, at least ratings wise, than any of my starters:

#4: http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=1036193

#5: http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=1213319

Are Diaz's IP down due to a 50 game suspension after a probe into season 12?

Quote: Originally Posted By e_mandat on 1/26/2010Are Diaz's IP down due to a 50 game suspension after a probe into season 12

No clue what happened to him that season, St. Louis will help a pitcher's stats.

I could also waive/demote http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=1036073 and hope he gets through. Not that I need his arm, I just figured that he and Diaz were very similar ratings wise and with an option I may as well demote Diaz.

For the record, customer service told me that moving a guy up for someone on the DL will avoid a demotion penalty when returned, whereas moving someone down and then back up will not. So I guess always look to move someone up and not down.