Thoughts on a better second half

[Dalyn]

Nothing is going to happen to any of the coaches, so I'll leave that alone.

(this is what I would like to see--within reason)

Trades:

Schafer and Carpenter/Varvaro for James Russell

Uggla for anything (or DFA)

Pena and Hale for Ben Zobrist and cash (enough to keep him around next year cheap)

Laird for anything (or as an addition to one of the above trades if needed)

Stella! 2B
Simmons SS
Freeman 1B
Justin LF
Gattis C
Heyward RF
CJ 3B
p
BJ CF

Bethancourt, Doumit, Zobrist, Cunningham, and Gosselin

Santana
Minor
Harang
Teheran
Wood (can save Teheran and Wood a few innings by having them at the bottom)

Kimbrel
Walden
Russell
Simmons
Jaime
Avilan
Carpenter/Varvaro

[nsacpi]

I would take a fairly minimalist approach. It would consist of:

1) A trade for a lefty reliever. My #1 target would be Tony Sipp for the scrumptious 12+ K/9 innings and 2 BB/9 innings ratios, the fact he is making near minimum this year, and will be under contractual control for 2 more years. I would offer the Astros a choice of 2 from among Gosselin, Schlosser, Northcraft and Williams Perez for Sipp.

2) For September call-ups and the post-season roster, the guys I would focus on would be Constanza (for his prowess in the clutch) and one of Cunningham, Pastornicky, Gosselin and Terdoslavich for an extra right handed bat (or switch hitter). Constanza would take the spot currently occupied by Uggla on the post-season roster, and the other player would take the spot of our fifth starter (presumably Harang), who would not be needed for the post-season.

[NinersSBChamps]

Win more and lose less.

[zitothebrave]

If we trade for Zobrist he'll start 2B or 3B.

Anyway we'll be better in the 2nd Half. If not for the fact that we'll get positive performance from our 2B and don't see anyone due for a major regression. I think Minor will improve, and I don't see a pitcher who'll fall.

[The Chosen One]

If Harang hasn't fallen yet, I've given up on expecting him to fall.

[nsacpi]

If we trade for Zobrist he'll start 2B or 3B.

Anyway we'll be better in the 2nd Half. If not for the fact that we'll get positive performance from our 2B and don't see anyone due for a major regression. I think Minor will improve, and I don't see a pitcher who'll fall.

There will be an injury or two.

[nsacpi]

If Harang hasn't fallen yet, I've given up on expecting him to fall.

Harang xFIP by month

April 3.83
May 2.52
June 5.19
July 5.35

[Dalyn]

If we don't improve our bullpen and bench, we aren't going to have a better second half. Still might do well enough to get 88 or so wins and grab a Wild Card spot.

[nsacpi]

The bench has collectively underperformed their baseline quite a bit. First half is no guarantee the same thing will happen in the second half. Last year our bench had an unsustainably good performance in the first half. This year they had an unsustainably bad performance. The performance will improve without personnel changes.

[stpeteirish]

Rays won't include cash in any deal. Never have, never will (until they move, anyhow). They have no need for Pena and probably 2-3 guys not in their rotation as good as Hale. So that deal in a no go. Bethancourt, OTOH, would be a perfect addition for them, cheap, controllable, and a position of need. Straight up Beth for Zobrist I'd do, if I'm convinced Gattis isn't going to be hurt for the rest of his days.

rays might be interested in Laird, he's better than what they've got. Laird and maybe a pitching prospect that isn't a top guy for Zobrist might work. I'd love to see Zobrist on our team.

[Julio3000]

I am pretty scared that Gattis has had a back and olblique injury each of the past two years.

[AerchAngel]

strUggla will not be released and if he were, Liberty is not going to increase the payroll one red cent and tell Wren to bring up someone from the minors.

We are stuck with the albatross and have Mr. Scrooge as our owner.

[thewupk]

If we don't improve our bullpen and bench, we aren't going to have a better second half. Still might do well enough to get 88 or so wins and grab a Wild Card spot.

Our pen has gotten better since Simmons was called up. And they still have the best FIP on the season of any team in baseball. 2.62 ERA over the past 30 days which is good for 5th best in that span. The pen will be fine. The bench needs some work.

[Dalyn]

Uggla for anything (or DFA)

One down.