Brandon Morrow, drafted in the first round in 2006 ahead of Joba Chamberlain, is now trying to follow in Joba's footsteps, so to speak.

Morrow pitched out of the bullpen the last two season, including a very successful stint as a closer earlier this year before being sent down the minors to stretch out as a starter. Unlike the Yankees approach, Morrow was sent down so he wasn't rushed and so they were certain he'd be stretched properly.

If things go as planned, Morrow would take the bump in the majors for the first time as a starter against those Yankees on September 5. Not everyone agrees with the move, apparently:

''He's a great late-inning reliever,'' one AL scout said this week. ''Why would you risk that to make him a starter? I don't see it.''

With all the problems the Mariners have in nearly every aspect of the team, it's hard for me to justify keeping that kind of a talent in a setup role. In 40 appearances this year he compiled a 1.47 ERA with 47 strikeouts. He earned ten saves, but that was when JJ Putz was the shelf.

Far be it for me to question a scout, but I believe this move is a no-brainer.