re: Jay needs to raid his old stomping grounds

quote:

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Not really worried about Schmidt for next year but IMO I like Evans better out of the pen or as a closer. Definitely need two more starters out of the portal

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That sounds good in theory, but then there’s reality. If the staff tells Evans he will come out of the pen next year and brings in a lock replacement for him through the portal, what do you think will happen? He’ll likely be gone and would have plenty of interest based on the potential he’s shown.

Moore is in a different position coming off an injury and surgery. But if he sensed he might lose his starting role, he would probably test the market, as well. The draft may not be as good of an option for him coming off the injury.

Then you have Sheerin. He can come back and would still have leverage. He’s shown flashes of being an SEC starter level guy, but he will have the option to leave via the draft. The only way he stays is likely to be a starter and try to push his value higher.

I get the performance angle on all of this. I’m just saying that the logistics of reworking the pitching staff is delicate and could easily end up causing guys who the coaching staff may want to keep to hit the portal or draft. Yes, we likely need to bring in a lock starter for next year, but there’s going to be a cost for that, and it will likely be one of the existing starters and/or Sheerin heading out.

If this happens, that’s more pitchers who you either trust or at least you know have some real SEC talent that you also must replace while hoping some guys in the pen or true freshmen grow up in the offseason.

They aren’t all getting sent packing, so expect the offseason pitching moves to be strategic and designed to keep the players the staff values the most here.