Shutting down Strasburg

[jim]

I just can't believe they are going to shut him down at 160. I agree with Hershisher .. if you are going to do that shut him down right now for a few weeks and make sure you have him for the stretch and the playoffs. If your team is in it I just can't fathom doing this. This is going to be very interesting if he hits his limit before the end of the season.

[cardsfansince82]

I think shutting him down for any stretch with the intention of letting him pitch again this season is worse than just letting him pitch the whole time. If they are that worried then limit him to five innings per start.

[Radbird]

I agree with Orel too. You're going to get to the postseason and voluntarily not use one of your major weapons? That may have been a smart move when you thought you'd be an also-ran, but now that the playoffs are within reach it's time to make some adjustments.

[JoeMcKim]

Why not just use him out of the bullpen until about 2 weeks left into the season then re-assert him into the rotation, that would be one way to limit his innings a bit.

[fanforever]

Try to remember that Strasburg has made only 39 starts over three seasons, and he still has something to learn about the art of pitching in the majors IMO

[cards2468]

Isn't the whole idea behind developing young talent so that you reach the playoffs and you stand a chance there? This is stupid.

[Vidor]

Isn't the whole idea behind developing young talent so that you reach the playoffs and you stand a chance there? This is stupid.

I said this in another thread--it's a disgrace to the game and an insult to the Nationals and to their fans that have watched some godawful baseball in order to get to this year.

[Jmodene]

As I've written before, I'm of mixed feelings about this.

On the one hand, you gotta appreciate the fact that the Nats are cognizant of Strasburg's long-term future (see: Prior, Mark).

OTOH, when they're this close to winning for the first time since 1994 (when, as the Expos, they were leading the NL East before the season ended via the strike), you gotta figure they would want to go all the way.

That's why I sort of thought they would pick up another good starter via trade, someone they could insert into the rotation when Strasburg is shut down. Then, as Orel suggests, if they do make the postseason, they could reactivate Strasburg for those 3-4 weeks.

[M1IRONMIKE]

if and when they do shut him down how do they plan on doing it. 2n they dl him if he isnt hurt? Do they send him down and he sits in the minors or do they keep m their own bench and play with a 24 man roster?

[Vidor]

.

On the one hand, you gotta appreciate the fact that the Nats are cognizant of Strasburg's long-term future (see: Prior, Mark).

I don't see why one has to appreciate a team blowing off a chance at a championship.