Suppan in the bullpen!

In 2006 Jeff Suppan was coming off two career seasons. He signed a 4 year $42 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Coming of a National League Championship Series MVP in 2006, he was highly regarded by the Brewers organization. And rightfully so. At that time the Brewers were low on starting pitching and really needed a veteran starter to solidify the rotation. The following season for the Brewers was par for the course for Jeff. He pitched 206.7 innings with a 4.62 ERA, 106 earned runs and 114 strike outs. Jeff looked to fit right in with the Brewers squad. The following year however wasn't as sharp and the previous three. Pitching in 177.7 innings with a ballooning 4.96 ERA and giving up 98 earned runs, he just wasn't producing on the same level. There were times when Jeff was pulled just after a few innings a number of times. Let's face it, he's getting older and his arm is showing it. This year in 2009 the Brewers are looking to have a repeat performance of last season's results. The Brewers made it to the playoffs for the first time in 26 years in 2008. The pitching has changed for the Crew in this new year. Getting Yovani Gallardo back is a massive lift this team needs to compete in the NL Central. Manny Para is coming off his first full year as a starter and looks to be a solid number 2 or 3 man in the rotation. Braden Looper has be aquired from the St. Louis Cardinals and has the possibility of becoming the number 2 starter in the rotation. Dave Bush showed the fans in Milwaukee that he does have the stuff that starting pitchers need to win ball games. Bush will be the number 4 starter. That only leaves the number 5 spot in the rotation. Don't get me wrong about Jeff Suppan, he still is a very effective pitcher. He would serve the team better if he was a middle reliever instead. Here's how I have it. Seth McClung would be the number 5 starter for the simple fact that he has the arm strength to last the season, he has a smoking fastball and good change-up. The Brewers need so desperately a strong middle reliever to eat up innings not only in the middle of the season but especially down the stretch. Not that Jeff can't pitch as a starter, he would simply server the club better in the bullpen. To recap, the starting rotation would be Gallardo, Looper, Para, Bush and McClung. This way the rotation is much younger, by average and experience, but will grow with time. Suppan will still be a pivotal part of the pitching equation this year for the Crew. With young pitching and a strong veteran bullpen the Crew can contend with just about anyone in the National League in 2009.