What Pittsburgh Pirates Rotation Should Eventually Look Like

Jonathan Sanchez Relegated to the Bullpen

Very shortly, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be in quite the enviable position with having more starting pitchers than they actually need. Three pitchers are now working their way back from injuries and hoping that a spot is waiting for them in Pittsburgh when they are healthy.

Manager Clint Hurdle will have some tough decisions to make. Should he stay with the guys that lifted the team to the top of the National League Central division? Should he choose the guys that were supposed to start the season in the rotation and only lost those spots because of injuries?

One thing seems to be certain and that is Jonathan Sanchez will not be in the rotation. He was relieved of his duties on Monday and sent to the bullpen. I wanted Sanchez off the roster because he has been so disappointing, but I guess I will settle for baby steps. Sanchez was replaced by Jeanmar Gomez.

I do hope that the Pirates don't get carried away and start trading some of these excess arms. I would find a way to keep them stockpiled because starting pitchers are so injury prone. Unless a deal comes along for a decent third baseman, they should keep the pitchers they have because they will eventually need them. At the very least, wait until the trade deadline where they could get optimal value.

The following slideshow is how I see the rotation shaping up in the next few weeks. If you disagree with my choices feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.

5. Francisco Liriano

The Pirates have invested a little bit of money in the veteran left-hander so they should at least give him a chance. It should be a very short leash though.

4. James McDonald

McDonald isn't setting the world on fire, but he has done enough to keep his spot for now. I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually loses his spot to Jeff Locke.

3. Jeff Karstens

Karstens has put up some fair numbers the last couple of seasons, at least when he has been able to take the ball. He has been with the team for five years and deserves a chance make the rotation better.

2. A.J. Burnett

Okay, he is Clint Hurdle's ace, but from the beginning of the season I have had someone else in the number one spot. Burnett has pitched very well, a 2.83 earned run average and 48 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched, through six starts. Hopefully, he can keep it going.

1. Wandy Rodriguez

Coming into Monday night's game, Wandy has been awesome all year long. he is 2-0 in four starts with a 1.66 ERA. He doesn't have the strikeouts that Burnett has, but his walks and hits per innings pitching is an amazing 0.785.