Over the years, one of the commonly lamented results of the 13 man staff, or a lingering injury, is the "short bench" . But that bench is seldom used. And if they start a sub, it's like it's a sacrilege to use the normal starter in an end of game emergency. Heaven forbid an end of the bullpen pitcher pinch running to avoid a forfeit. The bottom line is the bench is much shorter if you sit on a guy for the emergency that might occur twice a year. (See the three catcher rule). If the bench was used with a little more creativity, and more concern for its composition I doubt it would contain the current mix of players. So while I don't agree with Bernier here, the way the bench is currently be handled it's almost a moot point of who fills spot 25.