Opinion: El Duque in the Bullpen
During yesterday’s press conference, Mets GM Omar Minaya told 
reporters that, “Orlando Hernandez is part of his team’s starting rotation.”
…i love how these guys always talk in the absolute present…it’s very wise…
…i mean, it’s not like he said, “Orlando Hernandez will be in our starting rotation,” which would be a completely different statement…
…that said, as of now, i do believe their goal is to use el duque in the rotation…however, i truly hope the team at least considers using him from the bullpen while working out in spring training, especially if another pitcher steps up to compete and potentially win over the fifth starters spot…
The thing is, as of now, RHP Pedro Feliciano, RHP Aaron Heilman, RHP Duaner Sanchez, LHP Scott Schoeneweis, RHP Jorge Sosa and LHP Billy Wagner are likely to be guaranteed spots on the team’s opening day roster.
…that’s six relief pitchers…the Mets typically take 11 pitchers to start the season…usually they only need four starters through the first few weeks, but with the way this April’s schedule is it appears they’ll need to break camp with all five…and so, since last i checked, 6+5 = 11, there may be only one remaining spot for a pitcher come opening day…
Adam Bostick, RHP Willie Collazo, RHP Ruddy Lugo, RHP Carlos Muniz, RHP Steven Register, RHP Matt Wise, RHP Joe Smith and RHP Brian Stokes will essentially be competing for that one spot.
…therefore, in order for el duque to shift to the bullpen, and be their final pitcher, some one else will need to wrangle the final spot in the starting rotation from him, while all of these eight additional relievers fail…
