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It may be too late for my current season...(although I do have a pitcher in AAA that fits the bill) but I think I am going to begin re-adjusting my strategy in terms of how to build a bullpen.
First, I will still hold on to a few "lights out power pitchers" if I can to setup and close games. Nothing wrong with that IMO.
To me, the the issue is mainly in middle relief. I need to re-think the types of pitchers I want here I think. It seems that the "quintessential relief pitcher types" just are not cut out for these roles....at least not on a consistent basis. These pitchers are the ones we all know...the high stuff, high movement, lower control types with 2.5 to 3 pitches. They may be groundballers, but it doesn't seem to make a huge difference to me, maybe a little.
To me, the answer is to stock the rest of the bullpen with "failed starters". Pitchers with lower stuff, lower movement, higher control and usually 4-5 pitches. They also will usually have higher stamina, which I think may be very important in middle relief. So basically these are the pitchers that can be a decent 5th starter, or a starter at the AAA level....but probably most effective as RP at the MLB level.
Thoughts?
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