Who is in the Starting Rotation in 2014: Skaggs or Santiago

[VariousCrap]

This was a discussion in one of the Garza threads and I thought it deserved its own thread. 

 

Assuming the Angels sign someone for the #3 spot, who do you think ends up in the starting rotation in 2014, Santiago or Skaggs?

 

I'm sure the final decision will be determined by how they pitch in Spring Training, but it is an interesting "problem" for Sosh to have going into the season.

 

I can see both sides of the argument:

 

Skaggs in the rotation and Santiago in the bullpen would seem like a smart move because it gives you a #5 starter with upside and a good bullpen arm.  If Skaggs lives up to his potential, this is a fantastic move.

 

On the other side, I think trading Trumbo for a starting pitcher and relief pitcher makes that trade look more weak than it does trading Trumbo for two starters.  Also, Skaggs is a huge ? at this time as a starter.  Don't the Angels already have one of those in Richards?  Do the Angels really want to go into 2014 with two pitchers who are not guarantees?  Santiago proved last year he can be a solid starter, so it could make sense for Santiago to start in the rotation and Skaggs take some more time in the minors.

 

 

Any other thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[stevestevens]

Santiago starting. Skaggs in aaa

[Lhalo]

No pole?

[Cdaniel]

This is a really tuff one but a good problem to have. If Skaggs has a kick ass spring then he gets the nod for the 5th spot and Santiago to the Pen. If not than Skagss to AAA and insert Santiago in at 4.

[Guest]

Both.

[Cdaniel]

If Richards struggles in ST (I think he earned his right to start last year) than maybe he goes to the pen and we roll out Santiago and Skaggs as our #4 and 5.

[Sam Sanchez]

Santiago in the rotation.

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

I agree with almost everything said in the OP. In 2014, I'm confident that Santiago will do reasonably well starting, but I don't have much confidence in Skaggs as a starter at the beginning of the season. However, I think Skaggs has more potential than Santiago as a starter. I'm confident that Richards will have a good season. Last season, he gained a lot of experience and put up decent numbers (he really improved when he was put back into the starting lineup for the last couple months of the season). 

[Hardball13]

Shoemaker is still a nice option to have either as a spot starter or in long relief. The guy has proven he can handle a

heavy workload as indicated by his innings pitched in 2011 (177.1), 2012 (210.1) and 2013 (202). Those innings are combined for winter ball in 2012 and playoffs and one start with the Angels in 2013. If he has a great spring, I think he deserves consideration for a roster spot until proven otherwise. Depth is a great problem to have.

[LightTheHalo]

Unless Skaggs falls flat on his face in spring training, I think the Angels have every intention of handing him the ball every fifth day in Anaheim.

[Wallerrrr]

Santiago starting. Skaggs in aaa

^^^^

This

[m0nkey]

Wallys back!

[CardsFanVegas]

They'll both likely see time as starters.  Guys get injured, and also falter in the 2nd half.  Depth is a good thing.

[Mudville]

Santiago comes with a resume of success as a starter and Scioscia likes resumes so Blanton.

[Ordos]

¿Quién es más macho?

[VariousCrap]

Shoemaker is still a nice option to have either as a spot starter or in long relief. The guy has proven he can handle a

heavy workload as indicated by his innings pitched in 2011 (177.1), 2012 (210.1) and 2013 (202). Those innings are combined for winter ball in 2012 and playoffs and one start with the Angels in 2013. If he has a great spring, I think he deserves consideration for a roster spot until proven otherwise. Depth is a great problem to have.

 

 

I like Shoemaker as well.  I would imagine he'll be a full time starter by 2015.

[VariousCrap]

Here is a question for those who follow guys in the minors more than I do:

 

 

Of Santiago and Skaggs, who has the higher ceiling???

[Mark68]

Here is a question for those who follow guys in the minors more than I do:

 

 

Of Santiago and Skaggs, who has the higher ceiling???

Skaggs has a top of the order ceiling, a #2. Or at least he did when in the minors. Santiago was thought of more as a back-of-the-rotation arm, but he might end up (eventually) in a high leverage bullpen role.

[T.G.]

Price

Weaver

Tanaka

Wilson

Skaggs/Richards...

 

And then my alarm goes off and it's time to get up and go to work.

[Brent Maguire]

I think both see plenty of time. Santiago will definitely be in the bullpen at points though since he's done well in both spots.

I can see them using Santiago in the role Jerome had although he'll get more starts probably.

[Ohtaniland]

Santiago in the bullpen and Skaggs in AAA

 

Trumbo 44hr's 110rbi's

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

Santiago in the bullpen and Skaggs in AAA

 

Trumbo 44hr's 110rbi's

With a .290 OBP and .760 OPS.

[Angelsjunky]

Skaggs has higher upside and is basically ready. I think he gets the nod with Santiago in the pen. But Santiago will get plenty of starts because he'll be next in line if and when someone gets hurt or struggles.

[seenoevil]

Skraggs

[Halos of Anaheim]

If Trumbo hits 44 HRs he'll most likely have a better OBP in the range of .310-.320 tbh. His BB rate has also been trending positively as well. He might actually be a .810-.820 OPS guy if he hits 44 HRs.