Summary
Meh. It feels like they
Stars have underperformed all year, yet they set basically at .500, although with little chance to catch the Black Yankees in the
Effa Manley Division.
If you believe that numbers don't lie, the Stars should be in selling mode, as they rank in the bottom 25% in most categories.
What's Gone Right
Setups.
Ron Reed and
Rheal Cormier have been spectacular out of the pen for the stars, with Reed probably the most effective reliever in the league.
The Outfield. Willie Davis has been fantastic in CF, and
George Hendrick,
Gavvy Cravath, and
Rico Carty have been good around him. Cravath and Carty (and solid contributor
Buck Freeman) are in their mid-30's and may be attractive trade bait.
Rolen Along. The decision to trade
Mike Schmidt in the preseason cleared the way for
Scott Rolen, a decision that looks good right now, with Rolen posting an OPS in the mid .800s with great defense at 3B.
What's Gone Wrong
The Final Two. The number 4 and 5 starters have been miserable all year.
John Montgomery Ward has shown signs of turning it around, but
Larry Jackson is really just a shot in the dark after the failures of
Don Carman and, most disappointingly,
Robin Roberts.
Catching.
Bill Dickey was supposed to be the answer behind the plate. He's at AAA now, and
Sherm Lollar is barely acceptable as the full-time backstop.
MI, Oh My.
Chase Utley at 2B has been in a mammoth slump, putting his position in doubt. Over at SS, it's just not possible to field well enough to justify
Mickey Doolin's offense, and
Jimmy Rollins has been even worse as a potential replacement.
Key Storylines
This team is likely to look quite different after the early trades, so the storylines are likely to shift as well. But the pieces--Davis, Hendrick, Cravath, Rolen--are there.
Trading Outlook
SELLING.
This is more because the team feels like it wants a shakeup and there are enough veterans they could get some good talent in return. Just at the big league level, they could be looking to move Carty, Cravath, Cormier, Ron Reed, and
Bob Howry.
AAA Shuttle
José Ramírez has done well since his callup, so that's something. Dickey,
Gene Demontreville, and
Al Smith have all been sent down, with others to follow soon.
Midseason Changes
Larry Jackson moves into the rotation. OF
Sherry Magee and IF
Jimmy Rollins head to AAA with
Roger Peckinpaugh coming all the way from AA.
Awards
All Stars: Ron Reed (P);
Scott Rolen (3B).
Offensive MVP: Willie Davis (CF)
Pitching MVP: Ron Reed (RP)
Down on the Farm
AAA:
Norfolk Tides
Next to the Show: RPs Claude Jonnard & Minnie Rojas, 1B Cecil Cooper, OF Aaron Judge, 3B Pinky Whitney
Prospects: OF Bobby Abreu (24)
Projects: 1B Cecil Cooper (31), OF Aaron Judge (26)
Suspects: P Tim Belcher (27), SS Johnny Mitchell (27), P Bronson Arroyo (31).
AA:
Atlantic City Bacharach Giants
Prospects: P Ron Tompkins (20), P Scott Garrelts (22), 1B Prince Fielder (21), OF Richie Ashburn (21), SS Roger Peckinpaugh (22)
Projects: C Tom Egan (20).
Suspects: P Pete Mikkelsen (29), OF Earl McNeely (28)