The Chicago Cubs meticulously manage innings and pitch counts of their high-investment starting pitchers. But with fewer starters league-wide throwing 200 innings, bullpens must cover a continually increasing workload. The result: shorter careers for max-throwing non-closers.
Such was the fate of recently released Justin Grimm. Drafted as a starter in 2010 by the Texas Rangers, Grimm struggled in the minors to average five innings per start. Converted to a max-throwing reliever, he unfortunately lacked the consistency to close, sealing his likely fate as a short-career workhorse reliever.
This was no surprise for Grimm. Longevity and high career earnings belong to effective starters and elite closers.