Need some Opinions on this SP

[Vezna31]

I just don't know what to do with this guy. He would be an ace on any staff ratings-wise, but he is constantly underperforming. I attached pics below.

The 77 season, his rookie season, my team was in last place. 1978 was a rebuilding year and then he really blossomed and was dominant in 1979.

My expectations were really high in 1980, but ok, he was still good, just not as dominant. He then hit the wall in 1981. His ERA was really high after 7 starts, so I threw him into the bullpen. It was after that when he brought his ERA down to a respectable number and did a great job as a closer, with only 2 blown saves.

For 1982, he had a decent year record-wise, but again, his ERA came down because I threw him into the bullpen.

1983 was even worse then 82, but I was able to win the championship.

For 1984, I decided to start the season with him as the closer and keep him there for the whole season and he was like another Eckersley. We were so dominant because i had made a mid-season trade for a blockbuster SP, that i easily won the championship.

For 1985, I decided once more to put him as a starter. My rotation is incredible, and he is the #4 starter. But here I am sitting 20-9 and after 6 starts, his ERA is over 6.00 while my other 4 starters are all below 3.00 and 2 of those are below 2.00.

Since my lineup is pretty stacked now, I was going to focus on all pitching for the rookie draft. I only have 4 picks since I did a lot of trading last season. But there is only 1 good starter with a stamina of only 36 and 3 really good college relievers. My bullpen is really weak and these 3 rookie relievers would replace the 3 stiffs that aren't performing and help me dump about $1.5M in salary. So, do I take the SP in the draft and replace Lopez and put him back in the pen? Or do I ride it out in the rotation and maybe take an needed outfielder with one of the 4 picks? Or do I dump him now since he still has a ton of value?

[eauhomme]

How is his change? I see he has a good fastball and curve, but we can't see his secondary pitches. Pitchers usually don't last as starters if they don't have at least three, and better, four top pitches. I have had lots of starters with good stamina bomb because of 30-grade or worse changeups. They often do very well in the pen.

[OutS|der]

Keep him in the pen. He's clearly shown that he can't perform in the rotation.

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by eauhomme

How is his change? I see he has a good fastball and curve, but we can't see his secondary pitches. Pitchers usually don't last as starters if they don't have at least three, and better, four top pitches. I have had lots of starters with good stamina bomb because of 30-grade or worse changeups. They often do very well in the pen.

His changeup is a 48/49, and he has no other pitches, so yeah, maybe he needs to go to the pen, although he has brought his ERA down to 4.83 since my post.

I would prefer to put him in the pen, but I need him as a starter now because the one draft pick I was looking to get to replace him went first overall in the draft and i had the 3rd pick, so i went all reliever/closers to bolster my pen. And my #1 starter who is a 5 star has suddenly lost everything after 7 good outings and has been crap for the last 6 starts going 0-5 and giving up 30 runs in his last 31 innings.