Pittsburgh Pirates: "Calling Jeff Karstens"

That's what the Pirates might be doing. But they aren't.

Only a few pieces ago, I opined that Dan McCutchen, the Pirates' latest fifth starter, could enjoy accelerated promotion because of injury, failure or trade, of higher ranking pitchers.

He in fact, did, as a result of Ross Ohlendorf's injury. Having been moved into Ohlendorf's spot, he is now effectively "second" starter, even though he isn't yet of that quality.

But he is "better" (less bad, actually), than Charlie Morton, who can't seem to pitch at night, or on the road. Trailing behind Paul Maholm, McCutchen may be the third-ranking of active starters.

In theory, that WOULD have created openings for Kevin Hart and/or Jeff Karstens.

Instead, the Pirates have had to reach deep into the minor league for solutions. They've used AA Brian Burress, who pitched a credible four inning two run relief of Charlie Morton, against Milwaukee.

This, after his failed start against the San Francisco Giants. Reportedly, they will soon call up Brad Lincoln who may be ready.

In so doing, they've bypassed veteran Jeff Karstens, who is the epitome of a replacement pitcher. A "bottom of the barrel" professional player, yet a credible person in that role.

Someone that you would use as a last resort, but who could actually allow you to win on a "good" day. Tony Armas Jr. from 2007 was another example.

Karstens is buried somewhere in the Pirates' organization, after the team "shopped" him—and found no takers.

Karstens is really a "long reliever" type, not a true starter. As such, he wouldn't be of much value on most teams. But he is a potentially valuable part on a team like the Pirates that needs to improvise, for "starts by committee."

For instance, he might have come on in long relief against Arizona after Morton fell apart in the third inning, after striking out five in the first two. That formula worked for Morton's first start for Pittsburgh, against Atlanta, his former team.

Karstens might also be a reasonable back up for Dan McCutchen. Of course, there is limit to how much he can do. Three innings every two days, six innings every cycle, might be that limit.

But Karstens is an "innings eater" who might at least mitigate some of the blowout losses. That's as much as a replacement player can be expected to do.

But's still better than having a "sure" loss every fourth or fifth day. That's the situation the Pirates found themselves in when they replaced Armas, with Matt Morris.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire!

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