CDAV45
Small ball is for pussies!
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Gimenez is ready to start the season. He's excellent defensively and has shown he can hit at a pretty good clip at the highest level even if only a SSS. Clearly he's not going to replace Lindor's overall offensive production, but he's a good, young SS and the best they've got at this time. There's too much SS depth 2-3 yrs away to worry about a year of control and very little ready to replace Lindor now. Gimenez will have to lose the job.We know what they should trade for... A middle of the order, outfield bat like Waters. If the player is CF, the better. Then you have options at each position...
1B - Bradley, Naylor, Bauers, Reyes, Jones
3B - Ramirez (for now), Chang, Miller, Jones
2B - Rosario, FA (Cesar supposedly), Miller, Freeman
SS - Gimenez (when ready), Chang, Arias (2 years)
LF - Naylor, Jones, Rosario,
CF - Trade candidate, Mercado,
RF - Johnson, Luplow, Mercado
Yes, it is throwing things against the wall but it is a puzzle that needs a month of ST to sort out (not a big deal). The big question is how close is Gimenez, Miller, Jones and Freeman. If 1 or 2 are ready for start of season and other 1/2 season behind, we would be in good shape with 2 starters from a Ramirez trade (CF,3B) or just CF trade w prospects. If none of the prospects are ready (there is a hole at SS especially), the season is toast as we will be playing catch up and not enough fire power to catch up.
Let's be honest, at the time of Lindor trade, the FO knew if Gimenez was their Day 1 starter or AAA guy. The rest of the time from here to April (FO moves) will reflect that (buy a CF or not) as Rosario is not the SS that people thought he would be and Chang ... is below average WAR utility guy.
At first, I thought Gimenez would be ready for start of season, that 1/3 of season was part of getting him up to speed. But, just looked at the stats. He last 35 at bats ... 5 hits. He did hit all 3 HRs in Sept. Yet, average just increased from .240 in August to .265 in Sept. A bit positive but AAA maybe possible for a month, we will see.
As much as I like Hernandez it seems like a waste of resources to resign him IMO. We need to know if any of Rosario, Miller, or Freeman can stick at 2B. I think all 3 will to varying degrees.
Chang's power is the only thing that keeps him around, and that might not be enough since Gimenez and Rosario were brought aboard. That combined with Miller and Freeman hitting the shit out of the ball has him on the outside looking in.
I think there's a better chance that Naylor starts the season in Columbus than Gimenez. OF and 1B are a clusterf**k and that could help Tito sort through the rest.