Here's the staff I want at the end of the season:
Rotation: Santana, Floyd, Minor, Teheran, Wood
Pen: Kimbrel, Walden, Carpenter, Hale, Venters, Avilan, Thomas
But it is a long season and I would rather hold on to the others we have than trade them. Each has a contribution to make. Here's how I see their roles on a case-by-case basis:
Harang: Should have two or three more starts until Minor and Floyd return. When they do we can stash him in the pen for a couple weeks. Eventually return him to the rotation for a month and put Wood in the pen to control his innings count.
Varvaro: Hold on to him at least until Venters returns.
Schlosser: Send to the minors when Minor returns. Have him pitch in the AAA rotation afterwards. Will be an option for both the rotation and pen if a need arises.
Martin: Pitching very well in the AAA rotation. Will be an option for both the rotation and pen.
Obispo: Pitching well in the AAA pen. Another right handed option.
Buchter: Off to an inconsistent start in the AAA pen. We are not as deep from the left side, which means he could come into play later this year.
Hale: I want him as part of the pen at the end of the season. When Minor comes back he should go to the pen. When Floyd comes back, I would send him to AAA and have him pitch in the rotation, just so he can be an option there if needed.
Others such as Graham, Jaime, Vasquez, Simmons, Rodriguez, Maya could come into play, but they are behind the guys I listed above at the moment.
Our pitching depth is actually a strength. The pickups of Santana and Harang have worked out beyond what we could have hoped for and have really more than made up for the losses of Beachy, Medlen, Minor and Gearrin so far.
