DUSTY BAKER.....REALLY DUDE?

[chipper]

Did he really bring in one of the top young arms in baseball a day and half after he pitched 6 innings?

That has got to be one of the most retarded men to ever put on a uniform. Even with his bad wrap for misusing a young Prior and Wood, he goes and does something like that?
Volquez threw 6 innings on Friday night, and Dusty brings him in to a Sunday afternoon game?
If he isn't fired by tomorrow it's a tragedy.

[fezzik]

It was an 18 inning game...tough call. If he brings in a position player and who messes up his arm while trying to pitch, that wouldn't be a great scenario either...I'm not a Dusty apologist, but in a game of this length you're going to have to go really deep with your pitchers...or basically give up and send out a position player. It's probably not the easiest position to be in...

[AussieDodger]

Volquez wasn't a good idea.
Affeldt would have been my pick, but Dusty didn't know at that stage it was going extra innings.
Awkward position to be in, I wouldn't have put in Volquez or Cueto though.

Harang owners should get a nice surprise from his performance.

[jdsun1]

A good way to ruin a solid young arm. Meanwhile Corey Patterson goes 0-8 and Bruce continues to dominate AAA pitching.

[NZ Eff]

Volquez wasn't a good idea.
Affeldt would have been my pick, but Dusty didn't know at that stage it was going extra innings.
Awkward position to be in, I wouldn't have put in Volquez or Cueto though.

Harang owners should get a nice surprise from his performance.

Affeldt had already pitched, as had every other pitcher in the bullpen. The only option was to keep pitching Harang or go with Volquez. Dusty made the right decision in very difficult circumstances.

[A Fleshner Fantasy]

Volquez wasn't a good idea.
Affeldt would have been my pick, but Dusty didn't know at that stage it was going extra innings.
Awkward position to be in, I wouldn't have put in Volquez or Cueto though.

Harang owners should get a nice surprise from his performance.

Affeldt had already pitched, as had every other pitcher in the bullpen. The only option was to keep pitching Harang or go with Volquez. Dusty made the right decision in very difficult circumstances.

I disagree. Winning 1 game is not worth risking one of the best prospects we've seen in a really long time.

[AussieDodger]

Volquez wasn't a good idea.
Affeldt would have been my pick, but Dusty didn't know at that stage it was going extra innings.
Awkward position to be in, I wouldn't have put in Volquez or Cueto though.

Harang owners should get a nice surprise from his performance.

Affeldt had already pitched

That's what I said

[jfg]

I don't know, pitchers get injured young or old. Leaving Harang out there for another inning could be bad too. It's a tough choice. It's one win, but no manager is going to bring a position player in to throw a meatball to end the game.

[NZ Eff]

I disagree. Winning 1 game is not worth risking one of the best prospects we've seen in a really long time.

Every time Volquez goes out to pitch there's a risk he gets hurt.

It wasn't an ideal situation today but as I've said countless times already Dusty had very limited options. Every other pitcher besides Arroyo who pitched the day before and Cueto who was slated to go Tuesday had already pitched. Volquez throwing 30 odd pitches 2 days after throwing 90 pitches is not a huge factor.

[Russell James]

I disagree with bringing Volquez in. I doubt Epstein or Cashman would have allowed that with Joba or Clay.

Just bring in a position player and let him throw some meatballs to get the game over with. Weaver had no problem doing that in situations like this. Volquez is scheduled to start on Thursday, hopefully his start will get pushed back and if he does his pitch count needs to be limited.

Maybe it is not a big deal, but with Dusty's past history of destroying young arms this frightens me a little bit.