For example, let's say Crawford is tired in July but is still the best left fielder on the team even at 70% of his talent. You do not put your best team on the field for that game, because you have 50 games left and you want a rested Crawford down the stretch.

So too with both Longoria and Niemann, although the issue here is not being tired or dinged up. Rather it is an issue of being fully ripe to play in the majors. Niemann especially should be given more AAA time to hone his skills. I would prefer that Hammel flops over the next two months and is then replaced by a more mature Niemann than that Niemann should struggle in TB as he tries to figure things out under the pressure of having to win now-and possibly have his development set back as a result.

We've batted the Longoria situation back and forth enough already so the issues have been identified pretty thoroughly. There is a case that Longoria's minor league performance and spring training play suggest he is ready to excel. But that is not the case at all with Niemann. His first reasonably healthy minor league season was promising but not much more, and demonstrated he still has much to learn. And his spring play has been ok but not particularly impressive. Although he has been around longer, in essence, due to his injuries, he has less pro experience even than Longoria.

It's sad when I feel Hammel has done nothing to earn a spot, and will still pitch before Sonnanstine in the rotation.  

I feel that this and the evident demotion of Longoria to AAA makes us a 5th place team...  Yes, it's that bad...  

Is anyone elseperplexed how Kazmir was all set to pitch last week, and all of a sudden is just playing catch?  Something happened in that bullpen session he threw before his first scheduled start, that we don't know about- I have a sneaky feeling this C- rotation is ours to keep for a few months, and when we are 10 games back in June, it's going to be to late to say "I told you so" regarding Longoria, Hammel, and Jackson-

I would love some pointed questions once and for all about being cost-prohibitive and what is smart.  I sense some contradictions here, and I find that sad.  It won't preclude me from enjoying the season, but I have my complaints.  I would rather the NRO shoot straight and not be coy about their intentions.

I just wish the organization would be as accountable to their own word and standard as they give their talent.  This will NOT be lost on Longoria, let's hope for the fans' sake he doesn't take it personally.

Its just an excuse unfortunately, but hey that's why were fans.

If Kazmir is "improving" as ttnorm indicates, then doesn't the bar of expectations get duly raised as well?