Pirates may be squandering a weapon who could solve growing bullpen problem

From where we're sitting, the Pirates moved Carmen Mlodzinski to the bullpen without a real plan. Whatever that semblance of a plan was — whether it be using more openers to then provide Mlodzinski with more long relief options, or eventually move him to the back end of the bullpen — is failing miserably.

On Monday, the Pirates slotted Mlodzinski behind Jared Jones (again), and it didn't work. Mlodzinski entered a 5-1 game which was already nearing the point of no return, and he was on the bump for six more Athletics runs, though only one was earned. Just one outing prior, he gave up four runs in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. At this early point, it's impossible to know if Mlodzinski would be better-suited in another role, perhaps in the seventh or eighth innings, but what we do know is the Pirates current back-end relievers aren't getting the job done.

Don Kelly and Ben Cherington (whoever is really pulling the strings here) owe it to a talented roster to put Mlodzinski in the best position to succeed. That isn't ... whatever this is.

How the Pirates are failing Carmen Mlodzinski and their fans

Mlodzinski did not handle his demotion to the Pirates bullpen well. There's no hiding that, and it's been addressed internally. Yet, now that we're weeks removed from that so-called controversy, there's little denying Mlodzinski had carved out a semi-effective role for himself in the rotation. The Pirates removed him to make room for Jared Jones, and to provide Bubba Chandler with some runway.

That's fine! What isn't okay is letting him languish away in a long relief role that's better suited for Wilber Dotel, who is on the injured list. Heck, if the Pirates are trailing by four runs or more, they might as well send in Brandon Bidois.

Pittsburgh's bullpen remains their biggest issue. Pittsburgh ranks 21st in the majors in that department with a 4.40 ERA. If Mlodzinski cannot be effective as a piggyback of sorts, then why not try him out in late-inning relief? It's not like Dennis Santana and Mason Montgomery are getting the job done at a regular clip, either.

Don Kelly speaks out about Pirates utilization of Carmen Mlodzinski

To his credit, Pirates manager Don Kelly seems fed up with how the organization is using Mlodzinski. After Monday's loss, Kelly said he wouldn't anticipate using Mlodzinski in a piggyback role behind Jones in the near future. I guess that's progress?

Whether Kelly wants to admit it or not, all of this reeks of Ben Cherington. The role of the modern general manager goes beyond just roster moves and the farm system. Cherington has a real impact on lineup construction and bullpen usage. The choice to slot Mlodzinski into the bullpen was not made by Kelly alone, much like his current role isn't fully on Kelly.

If there were a time to admit defeat, it was about two Mlodzinski appearances ago. Assuming the Pirates are still in the NL Wild Card race by the trade deadline, they're a good bet to add a bullpen arm or two. At this rate, though, are we really confident this 'pen can survive that long? If the answer is no, then the Pirates owe it to their fans to try every possible back-end solution, which includes Mlodzinski. Full stop.

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