BY ADAM RONIS
The Brewers released pitcher Claudio Vargas despite a good spring meaning Carlos Villanueva and Manny Parra will open the season in the starting rotation. Both are good selections late in mixed leagues and excellent options in NL-only leagues. Keep in mind, however, one will likely be sent to the minors or bullpen when Yovani Gallardo comes off the DL in mid-April.
The Brewers will start with a rotation of Ben Sheets, Jeff Suppan, David Bush, Parra and Villanueva. With the Mets being unhappy with the No. 5 starter slot now, could Vargas be headed to the Mets?
Comments (2)
Having just picked up Parra I'm wondering how you see this rotation changing when Gallardo comes back? Assuming Sheets stays healthy for at least a few weeks (which is certainly not a given) is Parra effectively on a 2-3 start tryout? Are Bush/Vill. more likely to be removed from the rotation? Is one of these guys more likely to pitch out of the pen then the others? Who has minor league options?
I think the next few weeks are auditions for both Parra and Villanueva, who both have minor league options. There's a possibility both remain in the rotation and Bush becomes the long man. It all depends on how they pitch. If Parra pitches well, Villanueva could head back to the bullpen, a role he excelled in last season. I'd hold on to Parra for the long haul because Sheets always gets hurt. I think Parra is the guy who goes when Gallardo returns.