Rays Make The Right Decision on Price.

By
Bart Given
Published: 26 March 2009 11:30 AM MDTPosted in: Views from the 'Box"Tags: , , ,

The decision wasn’t popular with David Price, and I’m sure many Tampa Bay fans are upset as well – but Andrew Friedman and his staff made the right decision by demoting the extraordinary left hander.

Don't fret Tampa Bay fans - he'll be back.

Don't fret Tampa Bay fans - he'll be back.

He pitched just under 140 innings combined in the Majors and Minors last year – and I’d imagine the organization would like to limit his innings in 2009 to the 170-175 range.  Many Clubs feel the ideal way to keep a starting pitcher healthy is to limit his increase in innings pitched to approximately 20% from one year to the next.  It is just a theory mind you.  There are plenty of examples of pitchers who exceed these guidelines and never experience arm problems. Likewise a pitcher may be “coddled” this way and blowout at any time. Having said that, there is sufficient evidence available to make this theory prudent to adhere to.

Some may suggest leaving him in the bullpen to limit his innings – I am not a fan of that idea.  He’s a starter and he should continue to prepare like a starter and establish his routine.  Frequent or infrequent appearances can hurt his development.  

So Price will likely be on a limited inning and pitch count for perhaps the first two months of the 2009 season.  I imagine he will still start games, but may only pitch for two-three innings to begin with – gradually making his way to the 85 pitch count range.  After that, the Club will decide if they need him in the Majors or are best served keeping him in the Minors.  

Further making this a wise decision is the fact the Rays have post-season aspirations.  Essentially they are trying to prepare for a seven month season instead of the standard six.  I’m quite positive they envision Price taking the mound in the playoffs – therefore do not want him to reach his “inning limit” in August.  (Don’t be surprised however if the Rays do make the playoffs and Price approaches 200 innings – teams will stretch the guidlines for a chance to win a championship)

Tampa Bay’s current depth in the rotation is solid.  A group of Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstine and one of Jason Hammel/Jeff Niemann should be enough to keep them near the top of the division while developing Price.

These are the tough decisions a GMs are faced with all the time.  Making the wrong decision can alter the direction of your Club and cost you your job – Andrew Friedman made the right decision here.

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"You'd better stop readin' and writin' and start hittin' ! " - Mickey Rivers