No Suppan for you!
Thursday, July 31st, 2003Ok, so no trades made right at the deadline. That’s probably better than a ridiculous trade made solely so they could say they made a trade. The biggest problems with the offense, left field and third base, have large contracts causing problems with doing anything and I don’t think the team quite has their head on straight with respect to the bullpen.
Meanwhile the doubleheader on Saturday still looms and it looks like they’re planning on using Silva for one of the game, but if they’re really worried about depleting the bullpen that doesn’t make much sense because Silva would be unavailable for all the other games against the Padres. Plus the game Silva starts would require a fairly lengthy bullpen stint adding to the situation. Here’s a different alternative that won’t deplete the bullpen. For the sake of argument assume Randy Wolf starts the first game, then between games send Nick Punto down and call up either Josh Hancock or Amaury Telemaco. They seem to be squeamish about starting a rookie (for one game in early August?!?) so Hancock is a little less likely, but it would be his turn to pitch for Scranton, and he’s already on the 40-man roster. While Telemaco would be pitching on short rest, he’s pitched well this season and is certainly not a rookie. Then after the game, you could either send down the pitcher that was called up, or else move him to the bullpen and send down Silva. (Likely the former.) Then if David Bell is ready to come off the DL, activate him, or if not, call up Chase Utley, move Polanco to third for a few games and let Utley get the chance he deserves after tearing up AAA.
Nah, far too sensible. It’ll never happen.