I would just DFA Chang. He is the type of player that may pass through waivers or can easily be replaced, but if they want to keep him around, at least until Story can play everyday, maybe they demote Urias.
True, they weren't good moves, even for a low budget plan, but the fact is, the Betts trade was not "the first" thing Bloom did. (He did sign him, first.) The Springs trade was great, but he didn't keep him around.
So, don't play one of MLB's best hitters in the last 2 years vs LHPs, in Refsnyder, so we can a tidy and neat OF alignment to suit fans like you who don't even watch the game?
2023 splits
vs RHPs
.850 Yoshida
.815/.829 Verdugo
.779/.882 Duran
.756/.863 Duvall
.613/.501 Ref
v LHPs
.829 Yoshida
.768/.907 Ref
763/.643 Duvall
.673/.637 Verdugo
558/.731 Duran
.
It looks like our farm catching is shaping up very nicely:
5. Teel A+
14. Joh. Garcia FCL
18. Hickey AA
36. Brannon A-
41. Scott AAA
53. Lira A-
NR. AAA RHern, CHam, ORangel
I'd keep Reyes, too, but the plan is to start with Story playing SS, every other day, for a while, and Chang is the superior defensive SS, right now.
I'd still DFA Chang.
Second choice: put off the choice by demoting Urias until Sept call-ups.
Who gets DFA'd to make room for Story on the 40?
Will it me a middle infielder?
Reyes or Chang? (Both have no options remaining.)
or
Demote Urias (1 option left) and DFA someone like Graza or Jacques?
When Sale comes up (Friday?) who gets DFA'd?
Garza?
Jacques?
Llovera?
When Whitlock returns, one from the above list (or Lamet) should be demoted. No need for a DFA.
Who knows when Houck returns?
Wild Card Race
68-46 TBR
64-49 HOU
64-50 TOR
60-52 SEA -3.0
58-54 BOS -5.0
58-55 NYY -5.5
56-57 LAA -7.5
We are no longer in last place, which seems to be really important to some.
(I will say, finishing ahead of the Yanks is important.)
IMO, we need to go 7-2 in the next 9- but maybe 6-3 can get us on a roll.
I'm not sure he'd do well. It's just a gut feeling, but there sure is a chance he'd be exposed.
His D can only carry him so far. He'd have to hit, pretty quickly, to stay around.
I look forward to that test.
You'd think all some might have wanted was just not to sell off.
They knew Story, Sale, Whitlock and Hocuk were returning, and if they just played .500 from the point you mentioned, this site would not be all lit up.
They were hitting him hard, with many right at people.
I know you could care less about the next games, but Bello is probably due for 9 more starts and may already be nearing this IP and pitch limits on the season.
Nice hindsight call.
BTW, most IP in a season, career:
117.2 in 2019
95.1 in 2021
He's up to 108.2, after tonight with a few more starts to go...maybe 8-9 more.
I'd have done that deal. That's not what this is about.
You come back after every losing stretch and gloat about a deal that would have been bad for us, and then call us names for not patting you on the back.
Next, you'll say the Bagwell trade was great.