Let me start by saying, good thread topic. You have restored my faith in BF.net. This is why I come here. I don't think Villanueva going to the minors this year was something that had seriously crossed my mind. It would make sense though to have him take Gallardo's spot in the rotation untill he comes back then send him down to the minors to continue starting. Somebody in our rotation is going to get hurt and having him in AAA ready to come up and start on short notice would be a pretty good idea. I personally think we would be better off trading Vargas and keeping Villanueva in Milwaukee. personally, I think it would be worse to send parra to nashville than villanueva, since parra is older (and better). clearly I'm in the minority. Yes, you are, but that doesn't make you wrong. The main reason Villanueva is chosen over Parra is experience. Experience counts more than pitching well in Spring Training.