We've had our challenges in the first half of the 1990 season, injuries and consistency with both bat and ball being the main ones, so to sit at 43-38 and just one off the lead at the midpoint is more than acceptable. The guys are having a go, and that's all I ask of them.
While our contact hitting isn't where we'd like it - a 7th-ranked BA of 256 - we are banging out our share of big flies to compensate somewhat. Still, we need to be more selective and patient to get more aboard to take full advantage of the ones that do leave the park. We are walking too seldom and whiffing too often.
Tim Torres, Vic Ramirez, Sam Leslie, Denzel Clarke, Frank Benites and Alex DeGoti have been the pick, while we need more from Juan Silverio and Dustin Delucchi.
BALLS
We wouldn't be where we are without our staff. Far from perfect, granted, but they have kept us in plenty of games we've ended up winning late. Ed Galasso has been outstanding, clearly our ace so far. Both Mike Witt and Dave Fleming started poorly but seem to be finding their feet now. Neck Stanley's run of injuries has forced us to promote Ger Thomas ahead of time, but so far he has done well.
The BP is too patchy for my liking and will be one of my main focuses in the second half. Easier said than done - the OA has a lot of MOR relievers getting paid a premium, making the truly good ones tough to find and even tougher to procure. Will Robertson has 18 saves from 20 chances but an ERA north of 5 and will send me to an early grave if he keeps that up.
INS, OUTS, UPS, DOWNS
I am still working hard to find that perfect mix of players or at least as close as we can. One nice get was OF Earl Hill, a true leader who we picked up on waivers from the Marlins. On the min this year and we'll be looking to extend if the price is right.
With both Sam Leslie and Jay Wright looking for multimillion dollar deals and me still uncertain either is worth it, this trade just gave us some other (read:
cheaper) options in the OF moving forward. Denny is with us at Toronto, while Mullins is at Buffalo and doing well.
A slightly cash-positive deal that netted us a handy C / utility for two older relievers who had no future with us.
1B/DH Michael Kmet is finally off the 60-day but I sent him for some rehab at AAA just to sharpen him up. The biggest issue here is who loses their spot to him when he does return. At this stage, Delucchi seems the prime candidate.
OF Denzel Clarke and P Neck Stanley are still a month or so away, 3B Carl Armstrong should be back next week.
We have extended SP Ed Galasso (2-yr / $4.8m), IF Juan Silverio (2-yr / $6m) and SP Neck Stanley (2-yr / $870k), and will keep doing this over the duration with players we see as pieces in our puzzle.
AAA Buffalo is doing well, leading their div by a game. Our system is currently ranked 4th but will drop substantially from that when Thomas and Stanton hit the cutoff.