Bullpen Update: Charlie Morton Could Be A Relief Candidate

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 28, 2011 1:18 AM EST

Here are some notes from Neal Huntington, via Rob Biertempfel. Notably, Huntington rules out the possibility that any pitchers who "haven't been in the big leagues before" will make the team as relievers. It's unclear, but it's in the context of a discussion about starting pitchers who don't make the rotation, so he seems to mean guys like Rudy Owens, Bryan Morris, Jeff Locke and Justin Wilson. Huntington specifically names players who are out of options as potential bullpen candidates, and that includes Charlie Morton (if he doesn't make the rotation) and Jose Ascanio. Biertempfel also says it's "hard to envision" Kevin Hart, who is also out of options, being ready for Opening Day.

Finally, Huntington says there hasn't been much of a market for Ryan Doumit recently, but that that could change shortly.

-P- Also, Joe Beimel came down with elbow soreness yesterday and didn't pitch. He's day-to-day, but obviously, elbow trouble is always ominous news. If Beimel were to have some serious injury, predicting the composition of the bullpen could get a lot trickier.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Trade value

Why would a GM publicly talk about the poor trade value of one of his players? What does that accomplish? It seems like he is intentionally trying to drive down Doumit’s value and tell him that he has no value to the team.

by BrianO' on Feb 28, 2011 6:01 AM EST reply actions

It's a reasonable point

but it’s not like it’s an enormous secret based on his defensive play last year and contract.

I guess the Pirates could try to create a market for him like the Phillies are with Joe Blanton.

But I guess NH thinks it wouldn’t be credible.

by Bernie6 on Feb 28, 2011 6:40 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe a three way trade?

With Utley going down, maybe Young goes to Philly, Blanton goes to Pitt, and Doumit goes to Tex

by bmcferren on Feb 28, 2011 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think Texas...

…really has a need for Doumit right now. They just picked up Mike Napoli, after all.

by Vlad on Feb 28, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

Salary dump?

they also seem to have a need at 1st if Napoli is going to be their DH

by bmcferren on Feb 28, 2011 7:06 PM EST up reply actions

They're planning on Moreland at first.

Adding Doumit wouldn’t really bring them any added advantage there.

As for the salary thing, maybe, I guess, but in that scenario why would Philly take on all of Young’s money? Plus it would leave Texas without their primary IF backup – in past deals, they were trying to get inexpensive 2B/SS types in exchange for Young.

I just don’t think it’s a good fit.

by Vlad on Mar 1, 2011 8:13 AM EST up reply actions

Also, Utley did not go down

he has patellar tendinitis.

by OctaShields on Mar 1, 2011 12:23 AM EST up reply actions

agreed

I agreed, but at this point of the season…does it really matter?

His trade value IS low, so hopefully any negative comments make it back to Doumit and he plays for his next contract. This is now a contract year for him, and I’d love nothing more to have him jack up his production to make some money (hopefully elsewhere, and in the AL) the next few years.

by insane_sanity on Feb 28, 2011 9:13 AM EST up reply actions