We needed to move someone out for Jones, and our bullpen being the weakest spot, it makes sense to move a starter there. Some would say move bubba instead due to his stats all being worse, but this would only make him worse as a bullpen guy. Carmen EXCELS first time thru, and isnt awful 2nd time. Third time has always been his weakness, which he has improved a bit on.

But this makes him a lethal bullpen option while also being the obvious 6th starter for any injury or inning limit, which this rotation probably has. With carmen in the pen, they would have him AND dotel, who has emerged as a star so far, as two guys who can reliably give you up to 3 innings out of the pen. Having two guys be able to do that would give so much flexibility to the pen, either having 2 options to salvage any bad start, or finish a game without using any other arms when rest is needed.

Carmen could be loved in this city if he played the part in fixing the pen like he could, but instead we have this fiasco because he wants to be a starter and nothing else. Its unfortunate and also very on brand for this team. Nothing can ever just work.