Arizona Diamondbacks: How many pitchers to carry

The number of pitchers carried by manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks will dictate bench strength.

When it comes to bench strength, the number of those on the pine usually dictate policy for the Arizona Diamondbacks as well as the other major league clubs. This deciding criterion is the number of pitchers to carry.

If a club decides to go with the traditional number of 12, that would allow for five on the bench. If the team goes with 13, that moves reserves to four on the pine. With quiet discussion, these days, of teams inching toward a six-man rotation, that might dictate the use of 13 pitchers.

As well, if starters can get their club deep into games, then that lowers the need for more arms in the bullpen.

As they construct their roster this spring, several factors weigh on the minds of Arizona GM Mike Hazen, his staff and field manager Torey Lovullo. One feature may be the use of those who play multi-positions.

Within Lovullo’s hand, several come to the forefront. First, there’s Chris Herrmann and his ability to play multi-positions. Ditto for Chris Owings.

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Overall, the Diamondbacks want versatility from their players, and that Herrmann, Owings and Daniel Descalso played more than position for Lovullo last season portends their ability to fill a similar role going forward.

Then again, the argument becomes moot if the Hazen-Lovullo regime decide to go with 12 pitchers. That would include the five starters in the rotation plus seven in the bullpen.

Coming into spring training, that could mean Brad Boxberger and Yoshihisa Hirano vie as closer, Archie Bradley as the set-up reliever and a battle for the five other spots. Two may go to veteran Andrew Chafin and Albert Suarez, a Rule 5 selection from the Giants roster at last month’s winter meetings.

At this point, Hazen and Lovullo would have to select three additional relievers from the current cast of Jake Barrett, Silvino Bracho, Randall Delgado, T. J. McFarland, Jared Miller and Jimmie Sherfy.

Not included here, but on the bubble as a potential starter, are Zack Godley, Matt Koch, Anthony Banda, Braden Shipley, and Shelby Miller. Recovering from Tommy John surgery last April, Shelby Miller is due back sometime this season and most likely after the All-Star game.

In regard to their bench population, another consideration is the plethora of infielders and their fate. With less than a month to the opening of spring training, the middle infield is clogged with Brandon Drury, Nick Ahmed, Ketel Marte and Owings. Add Domingo Leyba, Jack Reinheimer and Ildemaro Vargas, all three on the 40-man roster into the mix, and the decision to carry four or five on the bench could be exacerbated.

That prompted Hazen to tell Call to the Pen during the winter meetings that depth is highly valued.

“We did have two of our middle infielders go down with broken hands, and that’s unusual,” he said. “That was the value of the trade, and of our core philosophy to maintain adequate depth.”

The two referenced are Ahmed, who suffered a broken right hand on June 28 and was lost the remainder of the season. Owings, as well, suffered a broken right on July 30 and, too, missed the remainder of the season.

The trade is a reference to the acquisition of Marte, who came over from the Seattle Mariners, with pitcher Taijuan Walker, in exchange for infielder Jean Segura.

More arms in the pen

According to USA Today, the Diamondbacks have offered minor league contracts to two veteran relievers.

Each receives an invitation to spring training and this is considered another attempt from GM Mike Hazen to strengthen middle relievers.

On Tuesday, the club signed right-hander Kris Medlen and lefty Antonio Bastardo to minor-league deals.

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Medlen can earn $1.1 mil if he is he reaches the majors. At the same time, he can walk away if not on the 40-man roster by opening day, which is March 27.

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For his part, Bastardo can make $1.5 mil if he gains a spot on the major-league roster. If Bastardo is not on the Diamondbacks opening day roster, he can ask for his release.

Both pitchers are 32 years-old.