Tom Gatto at The Sporting News looks into how Shohei Ohtani might be used in the Giants rotation if the Japanese star signs with San Francisco:
Evans told the San Francisco Chronicle and other media that he sees Ohtani starting out as a once-a-week pitcher, just as he was in Japan’s Pacific League, and a semi-regular outfielder, perhaps as a center fielder.
Finding time for Ohtani in the outfield will be relatively easy; keeping him on his Japan pitching schedule will be difficult. In theory, the remainder of the Giants’ rotation would be adversely affected by such a setup; MLB starters generally require a day or two less of rest between starts than do starters in Japan.
And here’s where the two/five construction from earlier returns: What if the Giants were to adopt a hybrid rotation that would afford Ohtani lots of rest, keep their most durable starters on a regular schedule, and protect the other starters from wearing down or being exposed?
Teams will have more off days this season, which will help, but it may be time to try the starting duo, with two starting pitchers scheduled to go through the batting order twice in each game. That way, they could occasionally make a start on short rest to give Ohtani an extra day to rest.
I don’t think it will go over well, however. It seems baseball players really do like to work regularly. Over time, I suspect they will rebel and want to return to a very set rotation.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2jpzXTl
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