I don't think Miller will be back. Someone will pay him $7m or $8m per year and give him more high leverage innings. His SO numbers are too good and he will be badly wanted.
I also don't see the point in leaving Webster and Ranaudo in AAA. Their stuff is too good for that level. They've had a lot of success there this year. They need a real shot in the majors, to see if they're starting material or bullpen material. If we can't give them that shot then trade them because there's no use to them pitching in AAA. They're too valuable to be used as spot starters.
I want to see them in the rotation for the first half of next year because Buchholz has an uncertain future and we need three of our young pitchers to step up. If de la Rosa is one then that leaves Webster, Kelly, Workman, Owens, Johnson, Ranaudo, Barnes, Escobar and Rodriguez fighting for two spots long term, assuming we get two starters in the next two years to front our rotation. That's why we need to see guys who are too good for AAA have a real shot at the majors, and why I'd like to see both Webster and Ranaudo in the rotation next year.
I also don't see the point in leaving Webster and Ranaudo in AAA. Their stuff is too good for that level. They've had a lot of success there this year. They need a real shot in the majors, to see if they're starting material or bullpen material. If we can't give them that shot then trade them because there's no use to them pitching in AAA. They're too valuable to be used as spot starters.
I want to see them in the rotation for the first half of next year because Buchholz has an uncertain future and we need three of our young pitchers to step up. If de la Rosa is one then that leaves Webster, Kelly, Workman, Owens, Johnson, Ranaudo, Barnes, Escobar and Rodriguez fighting for two spots long term, assuming we get two starters in the next two years to front our rotation. That's why we need to see guys who are too good for AAA have a real shot at the majors, and why I'd like to see both Webster and Ranaudo in the rotation next year.