4-3 come from behind win courtesy of Luis Valbuena. The bullpen tossed FOUR scoreless innings. Amazing what happens once you purge all of Shapiro's Ricky Martin fantasies from out there.
LitlBuck;1520857; said:
I would give Crowe the starting position in left field and see what Laporta can do at first base. There isn't much power there but you have to live with what you have. I guess it looks like you are ready to live with JP at third base again next season. I don't know why you could get for him in a trade but if he starts off again next season like he did this we need to have someone ready to take his place. Also, I have a hard time living with Shopach. He is okay as a backup but I really would like to see one of the other guys get more playing time. I cannot believe that Wedge used him in the DH position last night. I also would like to see a change of managers and would not mind seeing the guy from Columbus given a chance.
I'd think there's gonna be a good bit of competition for roster/starting spots next spring. It's kind of hard to say who competes where with whom until we see what (if any) moves are made this winter. Again, I'm not sure how serious they are about LaPorta at 1B, they may go the cheap vet FA route. Jordan Brown may be a possibility too. But, I'd look for Crowe and maybe Brantley to be in the mix for an starting job if LaPorta does go the 1B route. They may also bring in a cheap vet FA there. I have to say that Crowe has done little to impress me in the time he's been given. He looks like a fifth OF to me.
As for Peralta, yeah another year. I don't see him holding much trade value and I'm not sure they'd want to move him. At this point he's at most a placeholder until Chisenhall is ready perhaps sometime in 2011. I really like what I've seen from Chisenhall and think he's a better prospect than Andy Marte ever was, but he still hasn't performed anywhere outside of A ball yet. He's struggling in Akron right now, but lets hope he doesn't flame out. It's too bad Hodges couldn't stay healthy and get it together this year. I know Peralta has (a few) fans, and while he puts up decent numbers for a SS, he gives < average production from 3B and is just too wildly inconsistent for me to consider him a part of any longterm plans. I think the FO will feel that way as well once Mongo is out of the dugout. However, trading him right now does nothing because I doubt he brings much in return and it leaves another hole. You could say Jamey Carroll there (if he's back) and while he has hit very well this year, I don't think those numbers remain on that trajectory if he plays fulltime. Besides, he's a punch and judy hitter, not exactly what you want at 3B, but he's a great utility guy/occasional starter.
As for Shoppach, I think he's passable as a platoon catcher. If Santana is ready, he's a switch hitter who (I believe) has better splits vs. Righties, while Shoppach performs better vs. lefties. That has potential until Santana is ready for a fulltime load. Of course, they may want Santana to log some time in AAA before coming up to the big club, but if he has a big spring, maybe he gets a shot straight away.
tsteele, I'm curious about your thoughts moving forward if you find the time.
