Carlos Zambrano to the Bullpen?

On the week that Eric Gagne officially retires from the game (although I thought he was gone three years ago), it only seems appropriate that I should write about starting pitchers moving to the bullpen.

Though it is not my normal fare to comment on current affairs here, as a Chicago baseball fan, the move of Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen felt like news to print. Gagne is just one of the many starting pitchers who went on to become successful relievers, but aside from cases involving injury and old age, how many pitchers who have a no-hitter and two All-Star games under their belt? Off the top of my head, I’d have to guess not many.

However, in Zambrano’s case, I think it’s a good move. In fact, I’ve been calling for it for weeks. About 5 years ago, Bobby Valentine on Jeff Brantley spoke at length about their desires to see Zambrano pitching ninth innings. I thought it was the most ludicrous thing I had ever heard. Under no circumstances, I thought, should you ever move your best starter into the bullpen. In fact, I would argue that anyone with a brain should feel this way. I value relievers, but I would never trade a good 200 innings over a season for a good 80 innings. Heck, I wouldn’t trade a good 200 for a great 80. But Zambrano has really struggled as a starter recently. He has such enormous potential that just hasn’t been fulfilled.

He hasn’t had a sub-3.00 ERA since 2004 and though he has improved dramatically the last few years, he still walks way too many guys. Having to get only between 3 and 6 outs per game may help his focus. I don’t know if this is  a good permanent solution for Carlos, but I do think it’s what needs to be done now. I’m not saying that Carlos Silva and Tom Gorzelanny are better starters than Zambrano, but they are pitching better right now, and I feel that regardless of the Ted Lilly situation, Zambrano needed a change of pace.

I’m hoping that the move to the bullpen will straighten him out a little and propel him to success as either a starter or a reliever. The only thing that disappoints me is that I won’t be watching him hit for a while.