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2020 Bullpen Discussion

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Breaking down the pen:

CL - Hand
6th-8th: Clase, Karinchak, Wittgren
LOOGY: Perez (L)
MR: Adam Cimber

Competition for spots 7-8:
Adam Plutko (out of options)
Hunter Wood (out of options)
James Hoyt
Phil Maton

NRIs in the picture:
Jared Robinson
Cam Hill
Argenis Angulo
Kyle Dowdy
Dominic Leone

Name missed - Jefry Rodriguez.

IF (& I mean IF Cookie is unable to be an effective starter), I could see him in a weapon role in the bullpen (similar to early 2018 Josh Hader usage)
 
Another arm that was missed on the listing (an NRI this time) - Dalbert Siri (RHP)

While I expect Clase & Karinchak to be important pieces in the 2020 bullpen, I think they are only "penciled" in at this time. Hand/ O Perez/ Wittgren are in pen.

I am not suggesting the Tribe is looking to manipulate service time for relievers (especially Clase or Karinchak), but if either guy has a rough patch or two during the spring I could see the Tribe pulling back on them and going with one or more of guys like Jefry Rodriguez/ Wood/ Hoyt/ even D Leone if they are performing well.

I know many fans dislike the roster adjusting but the Tribe FO (& Tito) are very good at adjusting & putting guys into positions for success. I think that has been an underrated contribution to the Tribe success over the past 7 seasons.
 
Probably quite a bit, but the damage is likely already done if teams are this scared of him.

All depends on the medicals.

What's the deal with Vizcaino?
 
Now that our lineup seems locked in aside from some camp invites, I think the team should look to add one vet reliever to stabilize the pen. Some options:

Sam Dyson
Collin McHugh
Javy Guerra
Fernando Rodney
David Hernandez
Tony Sipp
Josh Tomlin
Luke Gregerson
Nick Vincent
Ryan Buchter
Pat Neshek
Arodys Vizcaíno
Jared Hughes
Cody Allen

Obviously several/most listed would only be on minor league deals. But hopefully the Tribe brings a few in to compete for a job.

Maybe it's my nostalgia speaking but without Kluber's veteran presence for the first camp in a long time, I'd love to see Tomlin get an invite. I doubt he'd make our OD roster but he'd be great for our young guys to be around and could maybe use it as an audition for other teams (assuming the best he can do anywhere is a camp invite).
 
They should have brought back the bullpen carts, drop a Hemi in them and get the pitcher to the mound in 3 seconds where he is only allowed to throw 3 warm ups.
Move bullpens to where the shipping containers are at in upper deck in RF- zip line from bullpen to mound.
 
Maybe it's my nostalgia speaking but without Kluber's veteran presence for the first camp in a long time, I'd love to see Tomlin get an invite. I doubt he'd make our OD roster but he'd be great for our young guys to be around and could maybe use it as an audition for other teams (assuming the best he can do anywhere is a camp invite).
Honestly I would like to see them add Tomlin as a NRI for Spring Training & as a starter in CBus to be a 2nd pitching coach for the younger staff.
CBus could use 1 arm to anchor that staff as the rest will be moving parts for needs with the major league club.
 
The other thing to remember with new rule change is that a reliever who came in (maybe a little cold) and felt a twinge would just get pulled and rest a day or two to see if it’s something serious. Now, if he is pulled before 3rd hitter rule, its automatic DL. So, you want someone or two on the 40 man who can easily come up as an injury to relievers maybe more common (especially lefties or Roogies like Cimber to circumvent rules). This is why 2 of 3 of Hoyt, Maton and Rodriquez will be sent down as most of 40-man pitchers in minors are starters who haven’t been converted yet like Moss, Hentges and Mejia (Allen has done some relief but will he switch just to cover a quick dl stint?).

I hate the 3 batter rule ... would have liked the idea of golf carts as said above and if manager wanted the quick shift for righty and lefty ... he should have 90 seconds to switch pitchers from time he steps onto field (make it up to teams to get their guy in quick and be on timer like inning changes if within 3 batters — could still get at least 5 quick pitches in).
 
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This might be off-topic, but is there any grey area with the 3-batter rule when it comes to pitchers not being subbed out of the game, but moved to a different defensive position? What if your LOOGY was a semi-competent right fielder?

Does this 3-batter minimum impact the double switch in the NL at all?
 
This might be off-topic, but is there any grey area with the 3-batter rule when it comes to pitchers not being subbed out of the game, but moved to a different defensive position? What if your LOOGY was a semi-competent right fielder?

Does this 3-batter minimum impact the double switch in the NL at all?

I know if the pitcher starts the inning you can switch them out/switch them to a position but I am not sure about the switching to a position after they have been brought in during an inning. My guess is a no, but we will see in due time what the loopholes could all possibly be. My guess is this could possibly happen during spring training/the start of the season and we will get an official ruling then.
 
With Clase out, it seems we'll see a lot of Cimber (and maybe Perez) in these middle relief situations. Wish I knew what changed with Cimber when he came over from San Diego.

He had a lot more command of his pitches when he was over there, and it led to him inducing a lot more swings and misses and being exponentially more effective.

Interesting to Wittgren here in the 8th. I'm curious if they plan on using Karinchak in the 9th.
 
With Clase out, it seems we'll see a lot of Cimber (and maybe Perez) in these middle relief situations. Wish I knew what changed with Cimber when he came over from San Diego.

He had a lot more command of his pitches when he was over there, and it led to him inducing a lot more swings and misses and being exponentially more effective.

Interesting to Wittgren here in the 8th. I'm curious if they plan on using Karinchak in the 9th.

I thought I saw Karinchak warming up in the 6th in case Bieber got in trouble. I doubt we will see him in the 9th. If we do it will be because the Indians score a shit load of insurance runs or Hand blows the save.
 
I thought I saw Karinchak warming up in the 6th in case Bieber got in trouble. I doubt we will see him in the 9th. If we do it will be because the Indians score a shit load of insurance runs or Hand blows the save.
I only ever saw Cimber out there in the 6th
 
I only ever saw Cimber out there in the 6th

Karichak was up while Bieber was on the mound. Once he got out of it, they got Cimber ready while theTribe was at bat.
 
Karichak was up while Bieber was on the mound. Once he got out of it, they got Cimber ready while theTribe was at bat.
Interesting, maybe they had both up because I swear I saw Cimber getting ready during the top half of the inning.
 

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