Starting rotation battle down to seven

[GiveHyzduashot]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pirates/20020313bucnot0313p7.asp

[Chevy706]

I'm hoping that was a typo in the article and that they meant to say that Villone and not Rapp was vying for a spot in the starting rotation. Rapp appears to be one of those failed experiments. He was worth a shot, but alas, he just won't work out.

[GiveHyzduashot]

Personally, I wouldn't care if Rapp or Villone was cut. Williams, Wells, and Anderson are locks for the rotation, and Torres, Beimel, Fogg, and Lowe are having very good springs. I'd rather cut Rapp and Villone and go with younger arms like Torres and Fogg, and send Lowe to the bullpen.

[pmeares17]

i agree throw villone and rapp into the minors to rot and let the rookies earn there stripes and if they have trouble THEN bring in the clowns.

[Greymire]

I like Wells, Fogg, Torres, Williams and Lowe. Send tubby inconsistent Anderson to the pen. Oh ya..I forgot! They gaurenteed him a spot without proving himself. In all seriouness though, if he can't be consistent, I hjope the pull Anderson out of the rotation soon!

[pmeares17]

not much of a competition was it? whoever the loser veteran loyd likes today will make the team.

[RockieBill]

I'm sitting here reading a little blurb that says your starting pitcher for opening day will be *drum roll, please* -



------------>Ron Villone :uhoh:

Yikes!

It also says Wells, Anderson, Villone and Williams have won jobs, leaving Lowe, Fogg, Torres and Rapp competing for the fifth spot.

I know Villone can't pitch here, so maybe he'll have better luck in NY on April Fool's Day? Seriously, I hope he works out better for you guys than he did here. Good luck!

[GiveHyzduashot]

If Anderson stinks this year, with all the competiton in camp, I think there's no way he starts again. Which is why now is the time to send him to Texas for Greer or Kapler, or even Catalanotto. Now he still has value as a young, groundball throwing lefty, but if he has a year this year like he's had in years past he'll have no value.

In no way should Villone have a job on this staff. He's 32 and has never had a good ERA. This year he is having a good spring, but so is Josh Fogg, and Saloman Torres. Both are younger and have good ERAs. If Villone makes the rotation and Fogg/Torres are on the outside looking in, there will be a lot of unhappy people, myself included.

[00_Agent]

I would love to see them trade Jimmy while the rest of the league still thinks he can pitch.

00