2. Numbers and performance are not always the same thing. We see that quite a bit. You can question the scouting angle. I figure the team might been on a similar page I was on as I did not see an impressive pitcher. I saw a pitcher who could be impressive in flashes, but nothing consistent enough for him to be reliable inning in and inning out.

3. I don’t think it is necessarily true that players learn more being around mature better players. I would saying the coaching quality at the MLB level is a bit more important when looking at reasons for having guys get up there. That certainly is the conventional wisdom with fielding, at least. Eh, I think it is clear it is not my only rationale as I don’t think he is ready and could use time learning in Norfolk as opposed to Baltimore. Finally, arbitration has nothing really to do whether or not it is my money, but through the understanding that money issues do exist and wind up impacting future squads. I don’t think we can immediately just pretend money does not matter as it clearly does.

2)Please do your research, Gausman gave up two runs in nine innings of relief spread out over four appearances. Your statement “promising one inning…smacked in another” was not the case in the bullpen.

3) Players benefit from being around mature better players. Any player would gain from a pennant race and the strategies involved. Arbitration?? The “window” of winning can change from year to year. If arbitration is your only rationale it makes no sense…unless it is YOUR money.

2. “Gausman is not ready?”
Response: Needs better command from his fastball and changeup (or at least more consistency) or his breaking ball to take another step forward. As it is now, he is an iffy reliever who will look promising one inning and will get smacked in another outing. The team is probably best served with someone who is a better fit for the middle innings and let Gausman develop in AAA where he can get his pitches in and work on his repertoire.

3. “Long term development can only be enhanced by his presence in a pennant race.”
Response: Talent will rise no matter whether he experiences a pennant race or not. Players are generally not so fragile that these things will greatly impact their careers. A promotion for him will result in a not very effective reliever and accelerate his arbitration time where the team will have to pay more earlier, so, eh.