Bonn1997 wrote:Wow, this team sucks. 29-29, and statistically, they've played at a 26-32 level (expected W-L based on own and opponent run production). I think in MLB there is no substitute for growing your own players. By the time you can get a great player as an FA, he's probably at the end of or past his prime. And you don't even know if he's going to keep that play up or if he built a great track record using steroids. I'm assuming Ellsbury and McCann are untradeable but if Beltran comes back playing great, they should see what kind of prospects they can get for him. The team isn't going to be great during his contract anyway. And they should see what they can get for Kuroda too.
I hear ya man, very frustrating, although I think I might give it to the deadline or at least another couple of weeks to see if we can right the ship. As bad as we've been we're still what, 4-5 games out of 1st? And this division isn't great at all. I think we still have a pulse...But yeah, if we still suck a little further down the road, absolutely see what we can get for some of our older vets -- Soriano, Kuroda, Beltran, etc. I just wanna make sure we're really out of it before it comes to that.
In the meantime, let's try to get better. Glad to see they finally gave this kid Jose Ramirez a shot -- he gave up a big HR and lost the game last night but I like what I see (93-96 mph sinkers and a good changeup). Stick with him now. Hopefully Danny Burawa's the next bullpen call up -- I like his stuff even better than Ramirez's. Ashame about Aceves -- looked like he still had some life on his pitches but you can't argue designating him for assignment. How many more times could we watch this guy get smacked around? Was giving up runs every time he went out there...I just don't know if Wade LeBlanc's the answer. Another lefty for the pen which is a plus but this journeyman soft-tosser's nothing special at all. As a spot starter I see someone along the line of Vidal Nuno, maybe not even that good. And then he doesn't have the crisp breaking stuff to be a specialist and get lefties out in a tough spot either...I see nothing more than a mop-up guy here..I dunno -- maybe you need a guy like that I guess (we can probably get some length outta this dude if a game gets out of hand either way). Just wish we went for more of a quality arm...At least they're trying to shake up the bullpen. Don't know why it took so long...Stick with Ramirez, bring up Burawa and wait for Kelley to get back. Not much more we can do there.
Before we throw the flag, I'd just love to see moves like this:
• Bring up Jose Ramirez. ✓
• Bring up Danny Burawa.
• Bring up Peter O'Brien. Power potential. If we brought this kid up and he caught fire he'd be the toast of the town. Could really jumpstart this team.
• Create a spot on the 40-man and sign Jorge Vazquez. Power/1B/3B depth.
• Make the move for Morales as soon as giving up a draft pick no longer applies (any day now, right?). He's only 30, a real good offensive player and legit 1B. Give the guy a 2-4 year deal. I'm concerned about Tex's wrist and he could slide into Soriano's DH spot next year (Sori looks like he's toast---he's a FA after this year and definitely not playing like a guy I want back).
• Look to put together a package for another good starting pitcher -- Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel?? Samardzija just got smacked around the other day but he's been real good this year. Hammel too. The Cubs are going nowhere -- I doubt Boy Wonder even waits to the deadline to make a deal. He's probably ready to wheel & deal right now. I think either one of these guys can be had and I think we have the pieces to get something done.
• Stretch out Manny Banuelos a little bit more in the minors. Seems like every outing he goes out there and throws no more than 2 innings. I know he's coming back from TJ surgery but the guy did make it back right? What gives here? I feel like they're babying him a little. I wanna start seeing 3,4,5+ innings pitched. Kinda surprised he's not there already..
