P2Daily: Roansy Contreras Already Looks Like He Belongs in the Majors

There will probably be a day this week where Roansy Conteras returns to the minors.

You could argue that he’s one of the better pitchers on the current staff. That statement could be supported by the small sample of stats that we’ve seen so far this season.

The reality is that the Pirates could get an extra year of control from Contreras if they sent him to the minors for over twenty days.

The reality is that Contreras is seen as a starter long-term, but is currently pitching in a relief role.

It would be very easy for the Pirates to justify sending him down to get stretched out for a few starts, which would keep him down long enough for that extra year.

I’m just pointing out the most likely path for the Pirates to take, considering the rules. No small market team would sacrifice having Contreras under control for a potentially contending 2028 season, all to get a few extra weeks in a losing 2022 season.

I also want to point out that this sucks in the short-term.

A month from now, Contreras might be in the majors as a starter, and here to stay.

Right now, he’s one of the most entertaining players to watch on the team, and one of the best players — short-term and long-term — to follow for hope of a future contender.

This is a season that will be more about following guys like Roansy Contreras over following the Pirates as a team.

The reality is that this season will be used to strategize for future winning seasons, and that includes managing the service time of Contreras.

That doesn’t make it any less frustrating when he inevitably gets sent back down.