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As September begins, we have opened up a 4 1/2 game over Oakland and 6 over the Royals. Lynn is the "only" injury we have, I can call us fortunate that our 5 starters have 127 of our 130 starts, they haven't missed 1 start all season and they lead the AL in 3.46 ERA as a group.
I haven't talked about Vernon Armstead, but the 23 year old LF has hit .331/.407/.474 over 400 PA with 7 HR and 15 steals this season. He went .301/.396/.432 in 154 PA last season, but has never been more than a 3 star guy. He has made himself an every day starter over Landreaux and Briggs.
McBride wants a 2 year very cheap contract, but he wants a guarantee starting job. Normally giving a guy who is hitting .342 over 280 PA a starting guarantee next year, but I can't. Lynn and Smith have 2 spots locked up and as I just mentioned, Armstead has the other OF job. That leaves McBride/Briggs/Landreaux to fight over the DH role and I don't want to start a reputation of going back on my promises, especially for a part-timer.
I did sign 31 year old lefty William Sheets to a good value-4 year deal for $704,000 total. He's in his 7th year for us and has gone 53-49 with 4 saves along with a 3.63 ERA, 14.2 WAR and an ERA+ of 108. Getting that for less than $250,000 a year seems like a no-brainer
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