As you may already know, Brandon Beachy is on schedule to return to the Atlanta rotation June 18th, most likely starting the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets. By all accounts, Beachy has pitched very effectively in his minor league rehab starts with no setbacks to speak of that would preclude him from returning to the team. That being said, Beachy is returning to a pitching staff that looks to be much more formidable than last year's, thus making the decision of whose place he takes a very difficult one for Frank Wren and company. Let's examine the issue from all sides.
First, Tim Hudson is off the table as an option to go the bullpen. He's a veteran starter, a team leader, and when he's on, he's still very effective. Though one may not necessarily agree with that logic, it will prevail regardless, and there's really no sense in trying to debunk it or rationalize the associated flaws therein. It simply is what it is.
Mike Minor has been the best starter on the team since this time last year. Obviously he's not going anywhere, nor should he.
Julio Teheran has developed into a quality starter, and I seriously doubt that moving him to the bullpen is a step that Wren would find worthwhile. His start this year is reminiscent of Minor's last year, and halting that momentum could prove detrimental to his development in the long-run.
Paul Maholm is a free agent after this season, and could be a candidate for the Braves to re-sign depending on how things go with Tim Hudson (also in the last year of his deal). He could also command a substantial return in a trade, especially considering how weak the market appears to be this year. However, starting pitching depth can be fleeting, and this is a team that is built to win a World Series this season. Trading Maholm could prove to be a fatal mistake if another starter goes down, as the replacement for that starter would certainly not be as good/proven/reliable as Paul Maholm has shown himself to be over the course of his career.
Although Kris Medlen has proven himself worthy of a spot in a starting rotation, he currently finds himself the most likely victim of the circumstances in this case. Hitters are being more patient with him, forcing him to throw more pitches in the zone, and the results haven't been pretty. He's walking more guys, giving up more fly balls and more home runs. Though he hasn't been able to live up to his lofty 2012 performance, he would still be a quality third/fourth starter for most other clubs with his numbers to date.
If Brandon Beachy can come back and pitch even close to the way he pitched before his injury, he will most likely battle Mike Minor for the honor of staff ace. No matter whose spot in the rotation he takes, short of Minor, he will provide an upgrade and the team will be better off for it. The same goes for Medlen, who I assume will be sent to the bullpen, most likely taking David Carpenter's spot. Having a guy like Medlen to team up with Walden and Kimbrel gives Atlanta three high-quality relievers, not to mention the fact that it allows guys like Gearrin, Avilan, and the rest to work in situations more appropriate to their skill sets.
Imagine a first place team that has some of the best pitching peripherals in the game saying, in June mind you, that they need to go get a big arm to help strengthen what is already a team strength. Oh, and they also need a high-leverage bullpen guy to take some of the heat off of the other relievers. That is essentially what one can expect the Braves to do in the week ahead, except they won't be sacrificing any prospects, cash, or players-to-be named later in the process. That is an enviable position, to say the least.
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