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Fat, I'm with you on the Greene suggestion. We don't really have any idea how he'll fare with a heavy workload, which is unfortunate and borderline ridiculous given the rotating sack of excrement that's been run out there for 5 months now. At the very least he should be able to offer replacement level performance for peanuts, instead of $1MM+.

Maybe it's a too little too late to start experimenting, but what other rational choice is there right now? Sorry, I know I'm talking about this season more than next right now . . . I wouldn't mind seeing him get some significant playing time down the stretch at second. However I have zero faith Tony will do it with the likes of Schu, Lopez, and Miles already on the roster. Tyler Greene's greatest claim to fame might be getting cockblocked by a tri-headed turd.

Fat Strat wrote:

vinsanity wrote:

Fat Strat wrote:Am I that crazy for believing that some combination of Greene and Skip can't come close to that? Of course, I'm putting a lot of faith in Greene (both that he'll perform and that our manager will play him) because we know we're not getting average defense out of Skip.

I think you are crazy for accepting Freese/Ryan/Greene in the IF with Skip/Miles being the backups.

But I don't think Greene/Skip is a bad option at 2B.

Alternatives that fit within our budget? Because even having Miles in there puts us over $100 million with Westbrook and a FA LHRP -- which almost has to be an FA; we have no internal options.

No, I pretty much agree, I really like Hairston but he's basically Miles and probably costs a little more. On the wrong side of 30 too. But there's isn't anything affordable unless we can dump Lohse in a trade. And we really can't.

I guess Felipe isn't seen as a 2B? Most of his struggles happened when he was forced to be the everyday 3B. He didn't have a good year, so he'll still be relatively cheap. Skip is awful defensively at 2B, but I think he's a pretty good OF. Make Skip an OF, bring up Tyler Greene. I hate to say it, but there's no reason that Miles shouldn't be on the team next year. He's acceptable on defense, and consistent with the bat.

Another option, and one that I think they'll probably consider, is to sign Feliz. I know... worst player in MLB. But he's extremely good defensively at 3B, which we've been lacking since Rolen left, and I doubt he'll hit as poorly as he did in Houston.

C-Molina
1B-Pujols
2B-Lopez/Miles
3B-Freese
SS-Ryan
LF-Holliday
CF-Rasmus
RF-Jay

C-Pagnozzi
3B-Feliz
Util-Greene
OF-Schumaker

Sign Westbrook and run Lohse out there as the #5.

So we're banking on Ryan, Freese, and Skip having a better years in 2011? Otherwise, we're running out the same team that is currently sucking. How are we a better team in 2011?

TimeForGuinness wrote:So we're banking on Ryan, Freese, and Skip having a better years in 2011? Otherwise, we're running out the same team that is currently sucking. How are we a better team in 2011?

Next shipment of Pixie Dust comes then

TimeForGuinness wrote:So we're banking on Ryan, Freese, and Skip having a better years in 2011? Otherwise, we're running out the same team that is currently sucking. How are we a better team in 2011?

For one, the hope is that Suphawkavinosuck won't be starting 2 out of every 5 games.

mcgee51taguchi99 wrote:

TimeForGuinness wrote:So we're banking on Ryan, Freese, and Skip having a better years in 2011? Otherwise, we're running out the same team that is currently sucking. How are we a better team in 2011?

For one, the hope is that Suphawkavinosuck won't be starting 2 out of every 5 games.

well, they haven't been since we've collapsed after the trade deadline.

Westbrook gives us stability in the rotation that I think we have to have, but this lineup is still a huge problem if it remains essentially intact for next year. Our only hope may be to have a new manager that just lets Rasmus play every day.

TimeForGuinness wrote:So we're banking on Ryan, Freese, and Skip having a better years in 2011? Otherwise, we're running out the same team that is currently sucking. How are we a better team in 2011?

The budget, without raising payroll, is so tight that I'm having trouble seeing any other options. We've got about $10 million in available money to spend to upgrade the positions you mention and/or fill our remaining holes (SP, LHRP). I think it's a pick your poision situation.

What about letting Westbrook walk, giving McClellan a shot at the 5 spot, and spending the 10 mil on a couple relievers and trading for a 2b and using the remaining budget room to take on salary in it?

cards2468 wrote:What about letting Westbrook walk, giving McClellan a shot at the 5 spot, and spending the 10 mil on a couple relievers and trading for a 2b and using the remaining budget room to take on salary in it?

But this would leave a hole in the pen, where Kmac has been mostly reliable.