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Muskies · 04-26-2013, 07:29 AM

Finally had an off day only after 12 days of games of which we went 7-5, certainly an improvement after the first 12 games during which we went 4-8. It finally gave me some time back in the office to try and take a step back. My observations led me to realize that my offseason tinkering left me with the essentially the exact same team as last year, a top starting pitching staff (3rd in NL), middle of the pack offense (8th in NL) and below average pen (15th in NL). I clearly have some things to learn. As I assess the roster I have the following challenges:

Payroll - I have three players taking up over 50% of my payroll for the next three years.

SP Aquino (30 year old) who is a three time pitcher of the year but at the end of life as a starter and will probably be moving to the bullpen within the next year

CF Chamings (32 years old) who is out for another three weeks with a fractured thumb and has not played up to his potential since he signed his 6 year $102 million contract, he has three more years (after this year) at $17 million. He is also Extremely Popular with the fans. In Chamings absence Shaffer has filled in well Hi is hitting .319/.351 in the lead off spot.

C Hubbard (32 yrs old) is off to a good start this year and really is my only option at catcher within the organization, he is fragile so when he get's injured it is a big hole to fill.

I have an over abundance of 3rd base talent. All Star 3B Ruiz is playing 2nd Base to make room for Rookie 3B Juan Cruz, both are comparable on the defensive side, but Ruiz is the better hitter. The problem with this is that Ruiz isn't very proficient at 2B and I have Liu and Wilson who are very strong up the middle, defensively. I have Davies out scouting prospects
Pitching staff is pretty heavy on Right Handed pitching, my starting five are all right handed and I have three Left Handed arms in the pen (Baca, Zhao and Howell).

Bull pen is struggling, currently has a 5.00 ERA. I brought back Barrios (2-0, 8.64, 2.04 WHIP, 8.1 IP) and picked up Bowden (6.1 IP, 11.37, 2.23 WHIP). It is early but I need to keep an eye on these two. I have couple relievers in the minors who, according to Davies, are ready to move up to the Majors.
Trades will be difficult in that I don't have room to take on payroll and there isn't a big market for highly paid players that are in their early thirties. That may change as we progress into the season.

04-26-2013, 07:29 AM	#89
Muskies Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 480	Off Day Finally had an off day only after 12 days of games of which we went 7-5, certainly an improvement after the first 12 games during which we went 4-8. It finally gave me some time back in the office to try and take a step back. My observations led me to realize that my offseason tinkering left me with the essentially the exact same team as last year, a top starting pitching staff (3rd in NL), middle of the pack offense (8th in NL) and below average pen (15th in NL). I clearly have some things to learn. As I assess the roster I have the following challenges: Payroll - I have three players taking up over 50% of my payroll for the next three years. SP Aquino (30 year old) who is a three time pitcher of the year but at the end of life as a starter and will probably be moving to the bullpen within the next year CF Chamings (32 years old) who is out for another three weeks with a fractured thumb and has not played up to his potential since he signed his 6 year $102 million contract, he has three more years (after this year) at $17 million. He is also Extremely Popular with the fans. In Chamings absence Shaffer has filled in well Hi is hitting .319/.351 in the lead off spot. C Hubbard (32 yrs old) is off to a good start this year and really is my only option at catcher within the organization, he is fragile so when he get's injured it is a big hole to fill. I have an over abundance of 3rd base talent. All Star 3B Ruiz is playing 2nd Base to make room for Rookie 3B Juan Cruz, both are comparable on the defensive side, but Ruiz is the better hitter. The problem with this is that Ruiz isn't very proficient at 2B and I have Liu and Wilson who are very strong up the middle, defensively. I have Davies out scouting prospects Pitching staff is pretty heavy on Right Handed pitching, my starting five are all right handed and I have three Left Handed arms in the pen (Baca, Zhao and Howell). Bull pen is struggling, currently has a 5.00 ERA. I brought back Barrios (2-0, 8.64, 2.04 WHIP, 8.1 IP) and picked up Bowden (6.1 IP, 11.37, 2.23 WHIP). It is early but I need to keep an eye on these two. I have couple relievers in the minors who, according to Davies, are ready to move up to the Majors. Trades will be difficult in that I don't have room to take on payroll and there isn't a big market for highly paid players that are in their early thirties. That may change as we progress into the season.