There are 2 open starting spots for the 4 pitchers mentioned above. If you are Bobby V., which two do you start & which two go to the bullpen?
Aaron Cook is either a starter or he doesn't make the team. He is not a reliever. I think he has shown enough in Spring Training to get the one of the two open spots.
That leaves Bard, Aceves & Doubront for the last starting spot. Sentimentally, you would think that Daniel Bard should be given a chance to start for his body of work over the past 2 years. However, he walks a lot of batters & has not been impressive this spring.
Alfredo Aceves has been more consistent, notwithstanding a bad outing yesterday. However, he has the flexibility to pitch everyday out of the pen versus every 5th day in the starting rotation. I also don't expect Aceves to have the same career year as last year.
Finally, Felix Doubront learned from his mistakes of 2011 & did come into camp in shape. No setbacks this spring. He has pitched well, including a nice start yesterday.
If I am voting on the sole criteria of where they help the team the most, I would start Aaron Cook & Felix Doubront. I would place Bard & Aceves back into the bullpen which would gives less innings to everyone out there & keep the bullpen fresher over the course of a long season. The 7th, 8th & 9th could look like Melancon, Bard & Bailey with Aceves pitching the 7th & 8th as needed on opposite days.
As the last week of Spring Training gets started, it's time for Bobby to make a decision.
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