Angels Round Table Discussion: Around The Halo

Does Hector Santiago get the final spot in the rotation or should Matt Shoemaker get the nod?

Rice: I say Santiago gets it to begin with.  However, I think Tyler Skaggs should eventually take it over if he is ready coming back from injury. Although, Skaggs will be on a inning limit, i don’t see that being a factor throughout the season. I think Santiago should be back as a permanent fixture next season once Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson are gone via free agency.

Cardone: 2015 was a tale of two halves for both pitchers. Santiago was great in the first half, bad in the second. Shoemaker was bad in the first half, great in the second. I think Hector’s had a slight advantage heading into spring training due to the potential he showed in his all-star season last year and Shoemaker does seems to fit that long relief role that the loser of the competition will likely occupy better. Both starters will have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves worthy of that last spot in the rotation.

Lea: I like Santiago; However, he has had some serious control issues throwing the ball. If he can show that he is capable of playing the way he played during the first half of last season, its no contest. I think Shoemaker is better suited as a fill in guy in case of injuries. With news of C.J. Wilson already sitting out a few games in spring training, its likely that both guys will have another chance to prove themselves this season.

Quesada:  I like Santiago. He was solid last season and provided a real breath of fresh air for a starting rotation that struggled throughout the year. I really enjoy watching Shoemaker pitch but his inconsistency could end up hurting the team. I actually think it unwise to move him to the bullpen to start the season. I would rather see him at the Triple-A level, getting starts and letting his arm continue to build strength working long innings because I would not be surprised to see him make a few spot starts for the Halos this season. If he just sits in the bullpen and gets cold, his arm will forget how to pitch the innings the Angels will need him for as the season progresses.

Avise:  In any other rotation Santiago is probably a 3 or 4 starter. Just so happens that in this rotation the all-star pitcher is fighting for that 5th spot. I think that the 5th spot is his to lose right now. I think Shoemaker comes out of the bullpen and that benefits him. He was plagued by that one bad inning all last season so if Shoemaker comes out and only pitches 1 or 2 innings and doesn’t have to worry about going 5+ innings he will be consistently effective. Either way if Santiago struggles early in the season Shoemaker can be swapped out. I like that they are a lefty righty option too.

Ludwig: I think Santiago earns the final spot in the rotation, with Shoemaker getting a spot as a long reliever in the bullpen. As we’ve seen, Santiago has all-star potential at his best, while Shoemaker, predictably, regressed significantly from his stellar 2014 season, with his FIP in 2015 ballooning from 3.26 to 4.59. Ultimately, Santiago is the better pitcher and deserves the final spot.

Next: Does the Machine still produce?