Phillipe Aumont Converted into a Reliever

Many of you are at least familiar with Seattle Mariners prospect Phillipe Aumont.

This Canadian, 6'7" lightning rod of a pitcher has tools to compare with any minor league pitcher on any roster.

We saw a flash of what he can do in the World Baseball Classic, as he got himself in a jam and proceeded to pitch out of it.

Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik has announced that the Mariners will move Aumont to a bullpen role instead of his natural role of a starting pitcher.

From an organizational level is is a bad move because of the lower value that Aumont has as a reliever. If trade talks were to open up concerning Aumont, time in the bullpen drastically limits his value. Starting pitching prospects generally command a higher return on the trade market than relievers. 

The Mariners have no shortage of young relief arms already in the system. Brandon Morrow was moved to the bullpen to better accommodate his diabetes. Joshua Fields was drafted by the Mariners in the first round of 2008 out of Georgia. His role has always and will probably continue to be as a relief pitcher. 

From a player development standpoint I see this as a bad move as well. Aumont has always looked like a front of the rotation starter to me. He has no obvious mechanical flaws, and has never had a problem going deep into games. He did have an elbow injury, but it wasn't considered to be a big deal.  He has also shown stubbornness and tenacity on the mound battling through trouble to get outs. 

In Seattle, one of the glaring needs is starting pitching.  Beyond King Felix (Hernandez) there isn't much there. This move came as a surprise to me, and it is one that I feel pretty awful decision.

Aumont will still probably do really well in a set up or closing role, but his real value was as a starting pitcher along side Felix.