Quote from fenn68 on April 3, 2024, 4:37 am

Patience is hard as a fan.

On the positive side is the:

1. Emergence of Campusano … out of the blocks hitting but maybe more importantly showing an excellent approach at the plate with a controlled stroke going up the middle or opposite field if that is how he is being pitched.

2. Resurgent of Cronenworth … first his glove has been gold glove caliber with multiple spectacular plays but also after a terrible offensive 2023 his approach and production is really encouraging. At this production level might even justify his contract.

On the flip side ….

1. The obvious is the pitching is struggling and although the optimistic projection of the pitchers performance for the year suggests a turn-around … looking at the performance of that group in 2023 might suggest that projection is off base.

2. Manny … not really a player I like to watch … has a reputation (in my mind) that is greater than his production. He is off to a bad start after maybe his worst season in 2023. At 31 worried he is starting his decline. He may produce over the course of the season some decent stats but not the stats that justify his big money / 11 year extension … money that could be deployed for building a more well rounded team over then next decade. He really got lucky that he had his near MVP season n 2022 while being a favorite of Siedler and was able to get that extension.

Still 154 games to play and most of the opponents are going to have some significant problems over the course of the season … so?

Quote from Randy Manese on April 3, 2024, 11:41 am

At the game last night and Darvish pitched a great game except for 1 bad pitch to Contreras - his pitching count was only at 45 after 5 innings!  Though Shildt made a mistake by putting in Matsui instead of Peralta and it cost them - though they could come back from a 1 run deficit with the way the bottom of the line-up was hitting but 3 was too much, especially when Bogaerts failed twice to cash in with runners on base.  Avila pitched better than I thought he would but still not impressed,

Not worried about Manny - he'll come around.  Croney looks like he has his old swing back and if his grounder up the middle with the bases loaded would have gone through instead of becoming a DP ball, it would have been a much different game.  Campy looking very good and like the way Merrill is handling the bigs; both could wear down, however, and need to be spotted.  Once we get Manny on track and get some clutch hitting by Bogaerts and Tatis, this offense could be very competitive.  It may not happen until he hits the field but the good part of that is we can "rest" Campy at DH and/or rotate him with Pauley.  I know he's not hitting much so far, but I really like Pauley's swing - think he could surprise if given regular playing time (maybe needs some time in EP or SA to keep him sharp?).

Quote from fenn68 on April 3, 2024, 2:36 pm

Score another defensive gem by Cronenworth in a key situation.

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 3, 2024, 4:26 pm

Wait….Suarez pitched in the 8th inning….how is it possible he pitched in the 9th as well?

 

Quote from WindsorUK on April 3, 2024, 10:23 pm

How'd Higashioka look on his other AB's?

Obviously an HR is great but was just wondering if he was able to string together some decent AB's yesterday.

Quote from WindsorUK on April 3, 2024, 10:24 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 3, 2024, 4:26 pm

Wait….Suarez pitched in the 8th inning….how is it possible he pitched in the 9th as well?

 

Imagine a closer making himself available to pitch more than 1 inning????

Hell, next thing you know he'll ask to pitch more than twice a week!!!!

Life after Hader is wonderful!

Quote from Randy Manese on April 4, 2024, 12:30 pm

Too many "me first" guys looking for a big payday last year.  Snell stayed the course but got lot of bad vibes from both Soto and Hader.  Glad both are gone even though we may struggle a bit with lesser talented guys.

Quote from fenn68 on April 4, 2024, 1:03 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on April 4, 2024, 12:30 pm

Too many "me first" guys looking for a big payday last year.  Snell stayed the course but got lot of bad vibes from both Soto and Hader.  Glad both are gone even though we may struggle a bit with lesser talented guys.

Agree on Hader and Soto but would include Snell … maybe a bit different but have to question how it plays with the team (even with going to the post every turn and winning the CY Young) when early in the season basically is saying I accept I am a 5 inning pitcher … just who I am … effectively live it with I am not working to improve. Does that take a bit off the rest of the players trying to make the extra effort to improve or do they say “just accept it”? Does that help enable Hader and Soto become (stay) self-focused?

I might even argue that Manny was part of the problem … he may be a player that wants to play every game but have heard some comments that if the season is not going well, he steps away from working with the team on things such as fielding drills … basically I am Manny Machado and don’t need this … again not a leadership style the inspires the others to go the “extra mile” to win. Manny proclaims himself as the team leader just because he is Manny Machado not a process of earning that label.

Too many big ego stars on big / long term deals to give a wit as to what the team needs or wants. Makes a case for going with the hungry young prospects and step away from a roster full of themselves.