Comments on: RAYS 5, White Sox 0: Blink and you missed it

By: Scott Caruso

Scott Caruso — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:52:34 +0000

I’m with you, bob… I’ve never thought that Sonny would be better served to be in the bullpen than the rotation. Though I wonder where his place in this rotation is 4 or 5 years down the line, I think he is better served to be starting games, just like you do. He gives up way too many home runs to be considered a solid relief pitcher, IMO.

By: bobr

bobr — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:43:19 +0000

One game proves nothing, but I think it does illustrate the kind of pitcher Sonnanstine is and why I still think it makes more sense to keep him in a rotation, whether here or in Durham, until there is simply no room for him there. What I see in Sonnanstine are the following traits:

1. He is durable.
2. He is efficient.
3. He has a large repertoire of pitches, but no one big “out” pitch.
4. He can adapt between and within games.
5. He is prone to the home run ball and when not precise is very hittable.

For all those reasons, it seems to me he is more suited to start than relieve. There is no absolute rule that a reliever should not be efficient or have lots of pitches, but ordinarily we consider those to be more important traits for starters. And his weaknesses, gopheritis and hittability, probably would make him more erratic in the bullpen while they are less fatal for a starter, especially one who does not put men on via walks.

We also tend to think of relievers as pitchers who have a special pitch and who basically comes in throwing his best stuff to get the outs, while starters are expected to do more thinking as the game progresses, figuring out what works best that day. Again that seems to be Andy’s special talent. Before yesterday’s game, there were stories about Sonnanstine reviewing tapes, working out his game plan and making adjustments. That is the style of starters more than relievers, although I am sure relievers come into a game with a plan of attack depending on the batter and situation.

By: Hazleton Jason

Hazleton Jason — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:03:23 +0000

Sonny was pretty freaking good last night huh? We honestly have 6, possibly 7 major league SP when they all get healthy- How can we even think about putting Sonny in the bullpen after a night like that? I still think it will be the right decision, but sure makes you think two maybe three times about it… He was absolutely amazing. BJ Upton needs one of those ankle bracelets that go off when he is too far from the base he should be at… The baserunning gaffes have got to go…

All in all, the Rays HAD to have a night like that, and boy was it refreshing…

Time to go win the series today!!!!! Go RAYS! =)