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A Rocky Dilemma

    For me, sabermetrics has never been about statistics, but about constant innovation - thinking outside the box and escaping static dogma.  In that vein, I would like to argue that the lowly Colorado Rockies innovate by creating a pitching staff composed completely of relievers.  I do not have the expertise, nor the time to run the numbers and see what would possibly happen, but here are my thoughts, nonetheless.
    Since the Rockies lack the financial resources to overcome this home-field disadvantage, they must overcome it by innovation, and turn it into an advantage.  The Rockies must carry 12 pitchers, with every pitcher used as a reliever.  The Rockies' roster would include 12 pitchers, each with the ability to pitch 2 or 3 innings approximately every other day.

Possible advantages to this proposal include:
-Relievers by nature have lower eras than starters because lineups see them less often in a game, and because they do not have to keep anything in reserve for the later stages of a ball game.
-Relievers that are not over-used require less recuperation time.
-Relievers are less expensive than starters - therefore the Rockies can direct more of their money to offense.
-In the NL, changing pitchers more often could have an offensive advantage - pinch hitters could be brought in earlier in games, in better situations, and more often.
-By not drafting high-priced pitchers with low-success rates, and instead solid pitchers with rubber arms, the Rockies would be taking advantage of a market inefficiency (no one else would capitalizing on such an idea), and would once again be able to save money that could be directed to offense.
-Having a large number of relievers, as well as a farm system stocked with replacements would allow a wise general manager to make a killing in the volatile reliever market.
-Long and expensive contracts tend to weigh down teams and limit their ability to make future moves.  Relievers command shorter, less expensive contracts, and therefore a mistake would be less costly to a team.

    I realize that there are possible disadvantages (there is no track record for such an idea, and the relievers could be overused, but I personally believe that when you are consistently one of the worst teams in baseball, you have nothing to lose, and should always innovate.  I would love to hear your guys' thoughts on this.

-Steven

P.S.  Great work on the power rankings as always.

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Bullpen Idea
I realize that there are possible disadvantages (there is no track record for such an idea, and the relievers could be overused, but I personally believe that when you are consistently one of the worst teams in baseball, you have nothing to lose, and should always innovate.  I would love to hear your guys' thoughts on this.

I have no idea whether or not it would work, but the Rockies have been so awful this year that it can't be all that much worse than what they've gotten now. And technically, what you've suggested might be the next logical progression in "pitcher usage," as we've gone from starters being the focus to a blend of starters and relievers. So I think it's an interesting idea.

Having a large number of relievers, as well as a farm system stocked with replacements would allow a wise general manager to make a killing in the volatile reliever market.

This part intrigues me most. How often do we see teams overpaying for mediocre relief help down the stretch? The Rockies could capitalize on that much more frequently.

I like the idea. I have no idea if it'll work, but I do agree that if you suck, it's better to be interesting and innovative than boring.

by Dan Scotto @ Beyond the Box Score on Jun 2, 2005 10:14 AM EDT reply actions  

Signing players on
It's an intriguing idea, but it has the same problem as the four-man rotation.  Remember when Toronto was going to go to the four-man rotation and Cory Lidle begged off because he was in his contract year?

I think you'd have a hard time selling the idea to quality relief pitchers.

by salb918 on Jun 2, 2005 5:39 PM EDT reply actions  

True...
You're right nearly no one in baseball would even consider implementing it, but I think it could be effective if someone were willing to step outside the box.  The Dodgers and Orioles historically have succeeded because they had organizational philosophies which they adhered to from single-a to the major leagues (Dodger Blue and the Oriole Way respectively).  I believe they succeeded, not because their philosophies were sabermetrically correct necessarily , but because these philosophies were followed so closely and ingrained within the belief-system of the organization, that they reduced inefficiencies in the way which the game is played.  By implementing this idea, the Rockies could create an organizational philosophy and likewise, capitalize on major inefficiencies.

by sas723 on Jun 2, 2005 9:39 PM EDT reply actions  

I see your point
First off, I do agree that this would be a good experiment to conduct.  And based on your "Dodger Blue"/"Oriole Way" theory, an organization could implement it starting in the minor leagues, where players have basically zero leverage.

by salb918 on Jun 2, 2005 10:03 PM EDT reply actions  

I think...
I just might have to figure out how this could be done...give me some time to see what I can come up with, like a way to implement it and show some possible results...I've always said the Rockies need a stronger bullpen than a rotation, so maybe there is something to it.
"I don't set the rosters, I just make fun of the guy who does" - Rob Neyer

by Marc Normandin on Jun 3, 2005 8:26 AM EDT reply actions  

Away away
I agree that the Rockies need a deep bullpen since this would give them a bigger advantage at Coors where relievers are needed more often (relievers have lower ERAs because they come in with outs already recorded in an inning in many cases). And there is a track record documented by Palmer and Thorn that teams in extreme hitters parks need good pitching in general to win. But the Rockies problem is not how to win at home but rather how to win on the road. They are consistently at the bottom in runs scored/game on the road (http://danagonistes.blogspot.com/2005/06/blake-street-bombers-redux.html).

If you can solve that problem, then you might have something.

- Dan Fox http://danagonistes.blogspot.com

by DanAgonistes on Jun 24, 2005 8:37 AM EDT reply actions  

Hello there Dan
I got something for you to check up on possibly once your around; do you have a screename you can e-mail to me or something?
"I don't set the rosters, I just make fun of the guy who does" - Rob Neyer

by Marc Normandin on Jun 24, 2005 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

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