I was just watching the MLB network and John Smoltz suggested the Rockies go to a 4 man rotation where the starters only pitch 3-4 innings per game so the opposing lineup doesn't see any pitcher more than once. Sounds like a Tandem type setup is what he is suggesting. I think eventually this happens and Colorado is probably the team to try it first. I really like the use of tandems in Sim. I can see it one day happening in MLB.

The question is, is there a manager and/or front office that's forward thinking enough to try it?

maybe Smoltzie is a closet 'What If-er'

Didn't Colo try that a few years ago?

The Rockies toyed with a 6 man rotation. But that is the wrong experiment in my opinion because it means the bullpen has to available for 6 pitchers instead of the usual 5. If you tandem 4 pitchers...that is actually 8 pitchers...you have to get at least 3.5 IP from each of the tandems to get you to the 7th inning...which is do able. I think it could work. The Rockies have nothing to lose. They never make the playoffs. It would take a forward thinking manager/GM team.

years of gimmicks, what u need are 3 at the top, and a bullpen to get people out

If they went that route, then the Rockies pathetic history in signing free agent pitchers will drop down to "never". It's already tough to bring an established pitcher into Coors. That's why they have to work so hard to develop home-grown talent. Can you imagine talking to a free-agent pitcher/his agent, about being a starter in a system where he'll pitch 3 or 4 innings per start? Chalk this up as a "good idea on paper", but I can't see it ever working in practical application

I agree Redwing...thing is they don't need the greatest pitchers in the world to do this. Just get some flame throwers who can air it out once through the lineup for 3-5 innings every 4 days.