Optioning Alvarez actually makes sense
I'm seeing a bunch of people on here/twitter mad about this move, which is reasonable because it seems ridiculous at first. The truth is the FO is just using options in a way we haven't seen before, and this is similar to moves we've seen with Ribalta and Schultz. There are two different reasons for this move specifically:
- We're optioning pitchers to expand our roster, not based on performance.
Between Cade coming back from injury, Litell being a bit unreliable, and Miles Mikolas, we need to use our bullpen way more than most teams. The 13 pitchers on the 26-man roster aren't enough.
So, we're not just using options based on performance. We're using them to get guys rest, and bring up rested guys from Rochester. Rutledge was sent down because he sucked, but Paxton Schultz and Orlando Ribalta were sent down just because they couldn't pitch tomorrow. They're also almost certainly going to come back up pretty soon.
Alvarez went around 70 pitches, so he can't pitch for the next five days. He has 3 option years left, so we'd rather bring in a fresh bullpen arm against the braves. If I had to guess, that's going to be Luis Perales, but they'll probably be sent down after a couple starts.
Essentially, because our bullpen is somewhat overused we're using options to essentially have more than 13 pitchers on the roster.
- Player development:
A starting pitcher is way more valuable than a reliever. Obviously, it would only make sense to have Alvarez up permanently if he can start. He'd be wasted in the bullpen.
The FO isn't trying to make the playoffs this year, or even end this year with the most wins possible. We're trying to develop young talent and be good in the future. And a pitcher in the majors can't mess around with different pitches, or just ask to be taken out of the game if their arm doesn't feel 100%, the same way that someone in AAA can. This FO seems really hesitant to rush that process (see Dylan Cruz/Harry Ford), and they probably have things they want to build on. That's hard for us to speculate about, but five more wins at the cost of Alvarez being a bit worse next year isn't a trade they're willing to make