I noticed this last week that Moore and Matheny made a point of saying that Nicky and Whit will stay at SS/2B for the rest of this season since they are chasing Gold Gloves and deserve to do that. The negative implication, which I like, is that this does not necessarily mean that is how it will be on Opening Day. So, the chess game, of how best to use them, plus Mondi, Witt, Pratto, MJ, etc., should still be an exciting parlor game for us to consider this offseason., barring any clarifications from them as time goes on.
I would honestly assume that Mondesi is done as the regular shortstop. He's a great player to have to play the spot at times, but they clearly want someone they can count on every day there. But yeah, they didn't necessarily commit to that in their comments.
Yes, what they do with Mondesi will be a key domino. Perhaps 100 games as a starter wherever they deem safe enough to play him, perhaps a group of spots (RF/CF/2B/3B) to give others time off, plus late inning pinch hitter/pinch runner/defensive fielder extraordinaire. Beyond that, please make room as Opening Day starters for Witt, MJ, and Pratto. 3B, DH/C, 1B? Bring back Taylor at CF unless you can trade "not your best guys" leftover pieces, in the aggregate, for a great young CF. That could leave Lopez and Whit as SS/2B, and room for a RF to play RF (Oliveras, that guy at AAA but, and, to a lesser extent, Taylor as "lesser" players, the ones more likely to give way to Mondesi on his start days than do our key regulars on the infield that really do not need a day of rest). Santana and Dozier as backups or traded (please remember Dayton that you do not allow our major prospects to be blocked when they are ready, even if it exposes some, at least in retrospect, bad contracts). Bring Taylor back at CF. Plus 6-8 legitimate starters to choose from, including some top of the rotation guys. More young relievers knocking on the door to fill that group up. Even with growing pains, we will hopefully be looking at a 2013 repeat, or maybe better, with better pitching.
2 quick points or my ideas. First I hope they do not bring Taylor back. Not enough offense to sign as free agent. I would be all in Lesky's guy.Reynolds from Pittsburgh. If not, Isbel and Oliveras can be as good as Taylor. I think everyone is selling Kyle Isbel short. He ripping the ball since June.
Barlow seems gets hit hard frequently and always has a batter reaching base more often than not. Does his season numbers reflect that or have I just seen more of of unlucky appearances?
Barlow doesn't have great control, but he's pretty much middle of the pack in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity. So he'll walk a guy here and there and averages about 1.2 runners per inning, which means you're likely to see him give up a runner. But he has a 2.48 ERA and a 29.3% strikeout rate. He's probably miscast as a closer, as I've mentioned. I also think he's probably a bit overworked and wearing down some.
I noticed this last week that Moore and Matheny made a point of saying that Nicky and Whit will stay at SS/2B for the rest of this season since they are chasing Gold Gloves and deserve to do that. The negative implication, which I like, is that this does not necessarily mean that is how it will be on Opening Day. So, the chess game, of how best to use them, plus Mondi, Witt, Pratto, MJ, etc., should still be an exciting parlor game for us to consider this offseason., barring any clarifications from them as time goes on.
I would honestly assume that Mondesi is done as the regular shortstop. He's a great player to have to play the spot at times, but they clearly want someone they can count on every day there. But yeah, they didn't necessarily commit to that in their comments.
Yes, what they do with Mondesi will be a key domino. Perhaps 100 games as a starter wherever they deem safe enough to play him, perhaps a group of spots (RF/CF/2B/3B) to give others time off, plus late inning pinch hitter/pinch runner/defensive fielder extraordinaire. Beyond that, please make room as Opening Day starters for Witt, MJ, and Pratto. 3B, DH/C, 1B? Bring back Taylor at CF unless you can trade "not your best guys" leftover pieces, in the aggregate, for a great young CF. That could leave Lopez and Whit as SS/2B, and room for a RF to play RF (Oliveras, that guy at AAA but, and, to a lesser extent, Taylor as "lesser" players, the ones more likely to give way to Mondesi on his start days than do our key regulars on the infield that really do not need a day of rest). Santana and Dozier as backups or traded (please remember Dayton that you do not allow our major prospects to be blocked when they are ready, even if it exposes some, at least in retrospect, bad contracts). Bring Taylor back at CF. Plus 6-8 legitimate starters to choose from, including some top of the rotation guys. More young relievers knocking on the door to fill that group up. Even with growing pains, we will hopefully be looking at a 2013 repeat, or maybe better, with better pitching.
2 quick points or my ideas. First I hope they do not bring Taylor back. Not enough offense to sign as free agent. I would be all in Lesky's guy.Reynolds from Pittsburgh. If not, Isbel and Oliveras can be as good as Taylor. I think everyone is selling Kyle Isbel short. He ripping the ball since June.
I hope they get CF right - whichever path they choose.
81 wins would also be a dream. Great stuff, as always!
Thanks, Logan! I'm hanging on to 87 wins!
Come for the analysis, stay for the alliteration.
It was almost "Benny Backs Bubic and Barlow and Beats Birds" so it could have been even better.
Barlow seems gets hit hard frequently and always has a batter reaching base more often than not. Does his season numbers reflect that or have I just seen more of of unlucky appearances?
Barlow doesn't have great control, but he's pretty much middle of the pack in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity. So he'll walk a guy here and there and averages about 1.2 runners per inning, which means you're likely to see him give up a runner. But he has a 2.48 ERA and a 29.3% strikeout rate. He's probably miscast as a closer, as I've mentioned. I also think he's probably a bit overworked and wearing down some.
Thanks