[joshuaaaaaa]

[quote]Originally posted by Kevin:
<strong>I've found that it's best to carry 11 pitchers at all times as it gives you enough relievers to mop up an early blowout without tiring your entire pen for the next day. I don't differentiate much between closers and Middle guys. Many years, I won't have a closer at all on the active roster, and other years I'll have three closers, but use two of them in set up or middle roles.

By having 11 pitchers, you also need to have a couple of utility guys on your bench that play three positions to have the necessary depth in case of injuries and fatigue. These guys are best developed by teaching them other positions at A ball when they're 21 or younger as it doesn't seem to hinder their hitting development too much that way.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I actually carry 12 pitchers a lot of times so that my staff doesn't get overworked. I use 1 closer, 2 set up men, 2 middle relievers, and 1 mop-up men, 1 of whom is also my spot starter. This only leaves me 4 guys on the bench, however that still lets me carry a 2nd catcher, backup outfielder, backup infielder and someone who can play some of both. My ERA stay consistently low when I do this (part of that is talent, admittedly).

If my starters are good, I'll do an 11 man pitching staff, though, and usually carry a backup catcher, 2 backup infielders (one who is a 2B/SS, and one who is a 1B/3B) and 2 backup outfielders.

Note that its much easier to carry a 12 man staff in a non-DH league, as you only have 8 positions and 13 batting slots gives you 5 backups. Even here, though, that limits your pinch hitting a bit.