boehringer is a plus

[pmeares17]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pirates/20020324bucs0324p3.asp

[GiveHyzduashot]

This bullpen has the potential to be very good. Beimel is having an outstanding Spring, ditto with Boehringer and Fetters; Sean Lowe has had the most success of his career out of the bullpem; and Manzanillo comes up May 1. That's a pretty good mix of guys. Then Benson comes back mid May, probably pushing Villone to the bullpen. Villone also has had success there.

If Villone and Anderson do well, this pitching staff should be pretty darn good overall. I have confidence Wells will do well, Williams will pick up off last year's success, and Fogg will do well in the fifth spot.

If this pitching staff is as bad as last year's was, Spin Williams ought to be fired.

[Rick]

I don't have a good feeling about Williams at this point. He has been getting hammered this spring. He essentially jumped from A ball (avery short stop at both AA and AAA) to the majors. He showed promise last season but IMO could still use some seasoning in the minors. Don't be surprised if after Benson returns that williams ends up in Nashville.

[GiveHyzduashot]

That is a good possibility, Rick. The other alternative is he moves to the bullpen and Lowe into the rotation.

[00_Agent]

I think that either of those scenarios is possible. I don't think we should be too dismayed if Dave doesn't do as well this season as he did last because of what Rick said . . . he didn't have that much seasoning coming in. I think that regardless of how he pitches this season (unless it is just horrid), he is still going to be a solid major league pitcher.

As for Boehringer, I liked it when we brought him in, and it still looks like a good move. I am really surprised that we were able to get him for basically nothing.

00