As the GM, I continue to analyze as I watch the rest of the season play out.
I do a little math and I see that this team is going to give about 101 more runs than we have averaged since we hired Tito. I also see that this team is on pace to score about 38 runs less than we have averaged in that time. Its easy to see that the biggest problem for this team has been run suppression, mostly due to our rotation. But I also see that the defense has been sub par. I also see that we need help from the left side in the pen.
So, first things first.
As I look at our rotation options, I dont see a problem in either quality or quantity. I see the need to stay healthy and I am addressing that by being...maybe overly...cautious with Bieber, Civale, and TMac.
I have addressed the defense by bringing in Straw. I look at our young MIFs that are here and in Chicago and see plus defenders to man second base or shortstop. I see two very good late inning defensive options in the outfield in Zimmer and Mercado. Hedges is elite, and so is a healthy Perez, who I have to make a decision on...and that decision rests solely on cost. If he is affordable, I want him back.
I like the core of the bullpen. And, like the rotation, I see both quality and quantity, but I dont see a lot of experience. I like Hentges as a lefty out of the pen, but I need a Plan B that doesn't cost much. I want to keep Wittgren, but I need another vet. I'd like to resign Shaw, but it will depend upon the cost.
My biggest question is what to do with Logan, who I think will be a quality lefty SP...which I'd love to have...but doesn't look like a good bullpen option. As much as anybody, he's the guy I want to watch over the next few weeks.
Run suppression should not be a problem...and fixes are within my budget.
Obviously scoring is a concern, but not as big as the fans think. I dont need as much improvement as I do from the run suppression side, but I have more assets for acquisition.
The addition of Straw helps. I'm gonna roll with Bradley. This season and in 2019, he had no problem hitting lefties, so that is not a huge concern. His defense is vastly improved to the point that he is an asset in the field. If he works as hard this off season on his hitting approach as he did on his defense, he should be an asset. I'm gonna bet on the man as much as on the player.
I see a solid first five batters in the lineup in Straw, Amed, Jose, Franmil, and Bradley...although I'd like to move Bradley down. Run suppression trumps scoring, so I like Hedges/Berto as RH batters down in the lineup. They should provide about 20 home runs.
The addition of Straw and Bradley over a full season, and a whole season from Franmil makes up the 40 run deficit we have from our average scoring. Nobody else is playing above expectations or trends/track records...so I dont see any expected regression.
I have the resources to make at least one, and hopefully two, significant upgrades to the offense.
Going into the off season, I see a present roster that should put up a run differential of +120. My job is to push that up to about +160.