Bullpen—2022

[DCTribefan]

Fans are generally pessimistic about just about any reliever we have, esp when they go thru a bad stretch....and that includes very good ones.

Karinchak is in pretty good company at the moment. Fans at times despised Plunk, and Wickman, after bad streaks. And Shaw. When Shaw was signed and then made the team, several fans insisted that it was only because he was Titos card playing partner. When Clase melted down three times in a row, the complaints were scathing. The same applies to Wittgren.

Karinchak has been more horrid than good for quite a while now. (Shaw was horrid for three years) Maybe Karinchaks problem IS the sticky stuff situation, which may be alleviated next year. Maybe it is a mechanics problem. Maybe its is due to some minor injuries or tired arm. Maybe it is a combination of all three.

But the question I have, esp when the FO is supposedly being overprotective of Bieber, Civale, and TMac...

If the problems are in any way due to minor injury and/or tired arm, why the hell isn't he on the IL?

Maybe it’s in his empty head, to borrow another poster’s comment.

 

[biggie4]

Big problem next year, I’m telling you.

 

[Kevalier]

Big problem next year, I’m telling you.

Right now, I actually think the biggest need for upgrading this off-season is the bullpen. Outside of Clase and Sandlin, there’s an enormous amount of uncertainty. Obviously, you can’t expect much from Karinchak until he is able to prove he can pitch in a post-sticky substance world. Stephan has promise, but the team hasn’t given him many high-leverage opportunities this season. I do think Hentges ends up in the pen, but not sure in what capacity at this point. I wouldn’t be surprised to see guys like Wittgren, Nelson and Hill all booted from the 40 man, while Shaw and Parker will both be free agents. Lots of work to do there.