OnlyBucs

fjk090852-7 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15, 2024 6:51 pm

Dutton wrote: ↑Thu Aug 15, 2024 6:38 pm This will be along post. I count 46 players currently on the 40-man, since we have 6 guys on the 60-Day IL. We need to add Yorke and Cook to the 40-man, and we have some other potential Rule 5 losses that should at least be considered.

We would have dumped some of our impending Free Agents but we were in contention at the deadline and I will not criticize the club for trying to win. To put it mildly, it hasn't worked out. After watched the Arizona series at PNC, I am no longer inclined to be charitable about Shelton's in-game management skills. He continues to make game-costing decisions, and he simply has to go, no matter how much the majority of players may like him.

Here are some easy subtractions:
1. Marco Gonzalez
2. Ben Heller
3. Rider Ryan
4. Daulton Jeffries
5. Yasmani Grandal
6. Michael Taylor

7. After that, things become more difficult. Chapman, Beeks and Borucki will all be FA's at season's end. We should try to retain one of them, or we won't have a single lefty in the bullpen. In fact we'll need to keep at least two lefties there, so I can only account for one more 40-man opening here.

8. Rowdy Tellez and Andrew McCutchen will doth be FA's at season's end. Can the team cobble together something out of Conner Joe, Endy Rodriguez and some hidden talent already on the 40-man? If we do, we won't be competitive. I'd like to see Billy Cook get a chance here as soon as possible.
We have more middle infielders than we can use, and we desperately need an upgrade at center field. The solution is almost too obvious. Oneil Cruz , despite his cannon arm, is a poor shortstop and might be better at CF. I would love to see this change made by the new manager. I don't think Shelton has the guts to make the move.
Even if these God-sent changes occur, we will need to trade or DFA some of our infield talent. We have a dearth of outfield prospect talent at High-A and AA, so Cherington needs to make a move during the off-season.

Can't blame me for looking ahead. It hurts too much to concentrate on the present!

Right now it would not hurt too badly to dfa both Grandal and Taylor, and purchase the contracts of Cook and Yorke. Finally send Bae to Indy and recall Henry Davis. Those are 3 moves I would make before they play another game.