Posted by MikeT23 on 3/5/2013 2:00:00 PM (view original):
Posted by jptrainwreck on 3/5/2013 12:35:00 PM (view original):
If they have 3 or 4 years in the minors, I'd bring them up. I'd wait until 20 games into the season to keep an extra year of team control, but I would not let age stop me.
FWIW, I consider this a poor strategy. WIthout roster manipulation, you can control a player for 10 seasons(3 minimum, 2 arb, 5 long term deal). If a player is 22-23, you've got him until his decline will begin no matter what(pitchers are a bit different). Holding a guy in AAA when he's better AND you're trying to win is a waste. Likewise, the first 20 games of every season features 10, one third of the season total, games against divisionmates. 7-3 instead of 5-5 might be the difference between a division title/bye and the 6 seed.
IMO, people worry far too much about what their team will look like in May of 2016 than what it looks like in March 2013.
You are correct. My advise is likely best suited for only a small group of prospects.
The age of the player in quesiton should be a factor, with the quality of the team as well, the position played and the player's talent level.
With most pitchers able to hold ratings through their mid 30's, If I have a #1-3 type SP, I definitely would prefer to lose 4 ML starts at the start of their ML career to guarantee a season with 30+ potential starts in the prime of their career. Same thing with a top relief pitcher. 6-12 innings in year one for a top setup guy is not worth losing 70-120 innings later in the career. Would do the same with an all star level position player too. If you rest them in the minors to start the season, they can end up with as many ML bats in 140 games as they would get in a 162 game season anyway.
If the player in question is a league average guy/below, or a guy I would not want to sign long term for full "retail price" at the end of arb, then bring him up. Completely agree with Mike; try your best to win every year.
But for any elite type player, I want the extra year of contract control.