I'll never be on board with embracing mediocrity just because it's the #5 spot and they throw innings. I'd rather try to do better with those innings, even with a patchwork/hot hand approach. This feels like Orioles fandom baggage to me. There's no law that says we have to take what we can get though, and the worst part is we paid him $10M this year. He's our highest paid player.
Should the Ravens have embraced Duvernay over OBJ this off-season, given his likelihood to "stay on the field" (AKA log innings)?
If you can improve on mediocrity, go for it.
(With a little effort, and with the $ the O's should have available to spend to add a starter either via FA or trade, and the system depth available to trade, the O's should surely be able to find a better option.)
I'd love to see the O's add someone universally looked at as a #2 starter this off-season... and go into '24 with Bradish, the acquired starter, and Rodriguez 1-3... with Kremer, Means, Wells, etc available 4-5. That seems ideal to me.
Gibson is a below average pitcher if you look at the metrics alone.
I think when you factor in his dependability, he becomes somewhere between below average and mediocre... even for a 4th or 5th.
I do think getting reliable mediocre innings makes a difference over a course of 162.
I also think as you and others have said in this thread, and I've said previously; you'd like to avoid having Gibson start a playoff game ideally.
My only takes here are that his reliable mediocrity have helped the regular season.
I'm not beholden to him starting Game 4 of a playoff series over Irvin, Flaherty, or Means; but i don't suspect there is much difference between any of them.
Glad I had it wrong about Means needing to be on the roster by the end of 8/31 to be playoff eligible... hopefully he finds his change. Glad that he presents another potential option. We will see how each of these guys pitch down the stretch.
I am skeptical that after missing all this time, that Means is going to be ready to jump in right now and be a significantly better option, but great if he is.