Devo is an old school reliever: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/our-2017-goose-egg-reliever-rankings-are-here/
It would be nice to know what McHugh is capable of well before the break to help us prioritize our deadline deals.
2014: 154 IP, 2.73 ERA, 3.11 FIP 2015: 203 IP, 3.89 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 2016: 184 IP, 4.34 ERA, 3.95 FIP -- the difference vs. 2015 seemingly a little BABIP and HR/FB driven I think we can expect 2015ish McHugh, with 2016 as a worst case. Still striking out roughly 8-9 per 9IP
He has an elbow injury that went from a few weeks to a few months. At this point, I don't think we can reasonably expect anything from McHugh. We have no idea if or when he'll actually be back yet, let alone what kind of pitcher he'll be. Best case is he's back sometime in June and healthy. Worst case is that he gets shut down again and there's no timetable for his return this season.
He just started playing catch this past week, so it's way too early to make any sort of guess. I seriously doubt he'll factor into their trade plans at all.
So you'd like to take Devo out of his current role of being able to come in whenever needed, and make him primarily a 9th inning closer?
I don't know why people are in such a hurry to monkey around with what has been the most valuable role in the Stros pen so far.
Because they like everybody else in this sport have been brainwashed by "the closer". The 9th inning of save situations are the only games in which your best arm should pitch. Never mind all of the games lost in the 6th-8th innings. It's modern relief strategy 101, be sure and restrict the flexibility of your best pitchers. This guy has the seventh. This guy is the LOOGY This guy is the setup man This guy is the long man This guy in the closer Deviation from these roles is poor management.
To be fair, it's the players who have long cherished set roles.... and it's been in place since the late 80's, so wouldnt say it's all that modern anymore. That being said, the Astros do have set roles.
That's changed in the last year-plus, at least inside the league. We saw it with Miller in Cleveland, Devenski, and there's been a bunch written about: Archie Bradley on bullpen role: ‘Why fix something if it’s not broken?’ https://arizonasports.com/story/1108172/bradley-bullpen-starter-dbacks-arizona/ He's pitched in the: 5th: 1 PA 6th: 12 7th: 20 8th: 27 9th: 7
Considering Fiers projects to hurt team more than Devenski helps in future if he doesn't improve, I see that as reasonable though there are guys I'd try as starter before Devo for this season.
I'd try Feliz and Peacock (even though probably will take a few starts to stretch them out) before sending Fiers out there again or changing Devo's role in season.
