11-20-2022, 02:47 PM
(11-20-2022, 11:22 AM)samhain Wrote: I'd guess Barrero gets every chance to show he can be the shortstop. If he's demonstrably bad for a month or 2, Newman is the fallback. At that point, it's just a matter of when De la Cruz is ready to make the jump. If Barrero does happen to look competent, then they have to make decisions on some guys at the upper levels of the farm. DO they stay at short or do they become outfielders?
I hope Barrero can run with it. He still had the injury to justify his struggles last year. An offseason of recovery and work, perhaps he can fulfill some of the potential everyone was excited about a year ago. If not, then there's an embarrassment of riches at the SS position that are close to ready.
With Farmer out of the picture, Steer can take over at 3rd. That's not a bad thing IMO.
This ownership seems fine with aborting any hope to be competitive in 2023 before the calendar year even starts. That's the message I'm getting. The only way they compete is if the three young starters take big steps forward and carry them.
The only players I think they should sign are relievers and perhaps an inning-eating starter. When the record is in the toilet around midseason, they'll want to be able to run some guys out there to keep the young arms from getting worn out for no reason. I wouldn't mind an outfielder, either, but I doubt we see any of significance.
I actually see Steer as the everyday Utility guy, with India moving back to third, where his defense will play better post-shift era. Newman projects more as a 2b and I would use Steer as my new Farmer, he can play a lot of spots and get daily ABs. But that all hinges on Barrero succeeding at SS. I give him some leeway due to that hamate injury but I feel his strikeouts were due to bad plate discipline (he regressed a lot) more than physically struggling. Maybe he was in his head too much? I hope he succeeds but I’m glad we have some decent options on the horizon!
