Cue meltdown in 3...2...

[professa]

Chris Sale started out in the pen mostly because there wasn't a spot for him in the rotation. We were also competing, and putting Sale in the starting rotation during a playoff race would not have been ideal for his development. That made sense. Starting Rodon in the bullpen in 2015 makes zero sense, especially when Rodon is (1) arguably the second best pitcher on the team (without even throwing a ML pitch), and (2) there is room in the rotation. No need to waste his service time throwing 3 innings a week doing something he has never done before. Either let him develop in AAA as a starter or start him with the big club in the rotation.

[BlackSox13]

He's only saying that he wants Rodon in the bullpen because he hasn't found a trade partner for Danks yet.

 

This opinion will change after Danks is gone.

I agree Rodon will be the guy to replace Danks but pitching Rodon every 5th game at Charlotte is a better idea. Keeps the arm stretched out and ready to step in when needed.

[caulfield12]

The Sale situation is more like what the Royals did with Finnegan out of TCU this last month or so.

 

With Downs as your best option (at the time), he was undoubtedly a better choice for the Royals even after being on a college mound just two months prior.

 

I would be totally shocked if he wasn't starting along with Duffy and Ventura next spring, as they work to replace Shields.

 

 

 

Plus, with a Boras client, you're just not expecting to ever work out a Sale/Quintana-esque extension, so there's that to consider as well.

Edited September 29, 2014 by caulfield12

[Boopa1219]

Ideally, Rodon starts the season in the bullpen and becomes a starter in either June or July to save his arm.

[chitownsportsfan]

Hahn could have said that it's conceivable that Sale could pitch out of the bullpen too, but it doesn't mean it's going to happen. There are a lot of things that are conceivable that are not ultimately realistic.

 

Yea this is a throwaway quote. There are a couple scenarios where it would possibly make sense to have Rodon pitch some MLB innings first as a reliever. Say for instance they want him to work on a specific pitch for a few outings against MLB hitters before turning him loose as a starter. Or, the Sox somehow miraculously find 5 starters likely better than him as a rookie, he's "stuck" in AAA well into July, the team is 40-34 or something and needs all hands on deck that sort of thing.

 

That said, neither of those scenarios is that likely, which is why it's "conceivable" but highly unlikely.

[shysocks]

Ideally, Rodon starts the season in the bullpen and becomes a starter in either June or July to save his arm.

What... no. Any scenario that has Rodon pitching out of the White Sox bullpen should be avoided, except the above mentioned "we're competitive in June and the rotation is full."

[Y2Jimmy0]

Ideally, Rodon starts the season in the bullpen and becomes a starter in either June or July to save his arm.

 

 

That's not ideal at all. It's a horrible idea, actually. None of Rodon's service time should be wasted in a big league bullpen and he should not start the year with the team.