Any trade value on this team?
With games starting against the Dodgers tonight, the M's have a chance to gain some ground and actually end up at .500 by the break. The idea the M's can't catch Oakland or Texas is crazy, as both teams have giants holes themselves and will be looking to make deals every bit as much as the teams chasing them (us).
When you run down the roster, Sexson is the obvious choice as the position player with the most upside. Historically he's never been this bad, and he appears to be healthy. If he can remember what he was doing last year and return to form, he could carry this team to a few extra wins all by himself.
Felix is clearly the best pitcher to carry the M's into a late season race. If he pitches like he is capable, there is little reason to fear extended losing streaks. Combined with our outstanding bullpen, it's not hard to see how the M's can stay competitive all summer.
If the M's are serious about contending, the do need to address some serious issues though.
One-- Piniero. You can't stay in a race running a starter out there every 5 days who stands a good chance of losing the game and tiring your bullpen 3 out of 4 starts. Fix him, or get someone in there who can help your team. It's doubtful he's back next year anyway. No reason to fear hurting someone's feelings.
Two-- Outfield defense. When Willie plays center and Ibanez is in left field, you are killing your entire team philosophy. You've constructed this great infield of Lopez, Betancourt and Beltre, and then you trot this out behind it. It's like dragging a parachute behind a Ferrari. Watching balls misplayed, players diving for balls they should have caught with ease, opponents taking extra bases with no fear of getting thrown out... they need to stop platooning Reed and get Ibanez to DH.
If you do both of these, you now need an extra outfielder and an extra starter. If you run down the list, you simply aren't going to get any ML ready players for the likes of Eddie, Piniero etc...
If Everett starting hitting again, there are teams that might swap something resembling a useful outfielder. If he doesn't, you won't be able to give him away.
You know Beane is going to improve Oakland. It's not clear what options Bavasi has.
It's something for all M's fans to ponder over the next few weeks.
With games starting against the Dodgers tonight, the M's have a chance to gain some ground and actually end up at .500 by the break. The idea the M's can't catch Oakland or Texas is crazy, as both teams have giants holes themselves and will be looking to make deals every bit as much as the teams chasing them (us).
When you run down the roster, Sexson is the obvious choice as the position player with the most upside. Historically he's never been this bad, and he appears to be healthy. If he can remember what he was doing last year and return to form, he could carry this team to a few extra wins all by himself.
Felix is clearly the best pitcher to carry the M's into a late season race. If he pitches like he is capable, there is little reason to fear extended losing streaks. Combined with our outstanding bullpen, it's not hard to see how the M's can stay competitive all summer.
If the M's are serious about contending, the do need to address some serious issues though.
One-- Piniero. You can't stay in a race running a starter out there every 5 days who stands a good chance of losing the game and tiring your bullpen 3 out of 4 starts. Fix him, or get someone in there who can help your team. It's doubtful he's back next year anyway. No reason to fear hurting someone's feelings.
Two-- Outfield defense. When Willie plays center and Ibanez is in left field, you are killing your entire team philosophy. You've constructed this great infield of Lopez, Betancourt and Beltre, and then you trot this out behind it. It's like dragging a parachute behind a Ferrari. Watching balls misplayed, players diving for balls they should have caught with ease, opponents taking extra bases with no fear of getting thrown out... they need to stop platooning Reed and get Ibanez to DH.
If you do both of these, you now need an extra outfielder and an extra starter. If you run down the list, you simply aren't going to get any ML ready players for the likes of Eddie, Piniero etc...
If Everett starting hitting again, there are teams that might swap something resembling a useful outfielder. If he doesn't, you won't be able to give him away.
You know Beane is going to improve Oakland. It's not clear what options Bavasi has.
It's something for all M's fans to ponder over the next few weeks.
posted by Tom at
12:27 PM
