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Libby is a candidate for when behind innings, along with many others on the roster, who struggle vs RHB’s.
It would make perfect sence to see what he looks like putting everthing he’s got into 15 pitches. That they are not going to do that should surprise no one.
Taking a little different look, it can be observed that Libby often has trouble in the first inning. First couple innings. Obviously, he has to avoid that regularly if he were to work out of the pen. We have yet to see if he can do that either.
So we are pretty sure he cannot be a starter, and we know nothing at all about whether he can be a reliever except he has looked good in that role now and then. But he’s looked good as a starter now and then too, so that says nothing. Probably the best thing that could happen to him is get traded before its too late.
Why do people not apply the same patience shown to historic successes as that they apply to Liberatore.
I am sure most Hall of Fame starters began very much like Liberatore.
Guys with talent get thrown in with the big boys and learn to sink or swim. It takes about thirty starts to get an idea of how a guy will adjust and grow.
Liberatore has adjusted and grown. It would be foolish to not continue to start him.New addition to the bullpen!
The Cardinals are close to signing Keynan Middleton, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.
More from @katiejwoo and @Ken_Rosenthal ⤵️https://t.co/2tbwAxPsMt pic.twitter.com/bDh31aLGHa
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) February 2, 2024
Here is an interview from last year with Middleton. Thanks to Kyle Reis for posting!
I'm about four minutes into this interview with Keynan Middleton, and it's really good aside from the awful lead in to the interview.https://t.co/AsMvkEo0FV
— Kyle Reis, 58% Neanderthal (@kyler416) February 2, 2024
My quick take on the #STLCards' new reliever Keynan Middleton, from the good (a breakout 2023) to the less good (checkered injury history). Free at The Cardinal Nation. https://t.co/L1Ba9XQGIB pic.twitter.com/boZkYhRdeM
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) February 2, 2024
I guess he’s likely to either be good or hurt most of the year. Either outcome is ok since we have depth. Therefore, I like this move. I’m kind of glad it wasn’t one of the former Astros reliever crowd.
I view the locks for the pen to be Helsley, Gallegos, Romero, Kittredge, Middleton, and King (maybe). That only leaves two spots up for grabs.
Here’s another wonk room signing for you Bling. His statcast proile is baked in red (good) numbers during 23′ and not much else of his history is appealing.
Another poll. Who is going to lose his 40-man spot for Middleton?
Guillermo Zuniga
Jose Fermin
Jared Young
Michael Siani
Alfonso Rivas
Buddy Kennedy
other (please specify)Please let it be Buddy Kennedy or Alfonso Rivas. Both seem like very poor fits. I’ll go Kennedy since they just picked up Rivas.
Who is going to lose his 40-man spot for Middleton?
Not being able to fathom why a 40 man spot was spent on most/all of the guys listed makes it difficulkt to figure which may now draw the short straw. Maybe consider which would be easiest to find a facsimile of if needed later. Not sure who that would be. Zuniga maybe? How many hard throwers with health issues and control problems do we need?
Zuniga at least has a real long shot to be useful. He has a great fastball that he hasn’t been able to control but he’s still young. Kennedy has no shot to be useful. He’s behind Gorman. Then he’s behind Donovan. Then he’s behind Edman moving back to 2nd. Then he’s behind Saggese. Plus you have Fermin, Mendlinger, and Dunn in the mix – all of which Kennedy might be slightly ahead of, but it’s basically a toss up. Young and Rivas are both in similar situations. All of them either need to hit insanely well or have lots of guys in front of them get injured.
I do not argue with any of that, but the narrowing pyramid has been mentioned and there are only so many game innings to be had for pitchers. A Kennedy can just sit there and no harm is done.
If another dubious hard thrower is needed, Mo has proven this winter that he can dredge one up. Of course, he could probably come up with a Kennedy also.
Would assume Middleton is taking the VerHagen role/contract…hopefully he is better than VerHagen who I think is pitching in japan this year.
They really need Helsley and Gallegos to bounce back to their 2022 form, and Kitteridge to pitch like he was before the Tommy John for the right side to workout if they don’t come back to form it is going to be a long year again.
For the lefty’s my guess is it is King who was pretty solid and I guess Romero, with Liberatore the wild card as either a starter or bullpen arm
Then you would have Middleton/Pallante/fernandez/O’Brien/Robertson/Rom/zuniga/Kloffenstein battling for the last spots
I would vote that Kennedy would get DFA for Middleton, unless he is coming in on a minor league contract which gives a little time to decide.
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