What changes do we make?

by Jim McLennan on Jun 18, 2006 7:45 PM EDT

Okay, here we are, 12 losses in 13 games. What do we need to do to get out of this slump? Let's brainstorm... Here are a few ideas

Bench Gonzalez. His arm is a weakness, and his offensive production is not making up for it any more.

Play Jackson every day. Clark does not deserve a spot in the starting lineup. This may or may not help up now, but it certainly will in the future

Move Estrada and Green up the order: I'd like to see them #2 and #3 on a regular basis, with Tracy in the cleanup spot.

Any other suggestions? What, if anything, needs to be done by the pitching staff?

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Line up

Jackson
Gonzo
Green
Tracy
Estrada
Byrnes
Counsell
Hudson

Just something to REALLY shake things up.

by Otacon on Jun 18, 2006 7:55 PM EDT 0 recs

No need to push the panic button....yet

Despite the horrific fortnight, the team is still ahead of its 90-loss projection and the whole NL West is reverting to form. Don't make any panic moves like ill-advised trades involving the top prospects. Wait until the All-Star break to reassess where the team is going this season.

Rotation :
Getting Cruz back into the rotation seems of utmost importance. While waiting, get Edgar Gonzalez or Nippert up. Don't trade for Willis.

Bullpen :
Wave a wand, say bippety boppity boo and hope the mice turn back into horses. This is the same group that just a month ago was the team's strength. Vizcaino was blasted today so there goes the last reliable arm there. Getting Valverde back in form is crucial as the rest of bullpen will fall into shape behind that. Off course, the team has not had a lead to protect late in a while...

Offense :
Bench Gonzo. Get Hairston up and play him in LF. Give Counsell another week to improve or else get Drew up as well. Lineup : Counsell, Estrada, Green, Tracy, Jackson, Hairston, Byrnes, Hudson, Pitcher

by William K on Jun 18, 2006 10:30 PM EDT 0 recs

The best thing to do:

Fire Bob Melvin. I'm usually part of the camp that believes that it's not all the manager's fault, but the last two weeks have been some of the dumbest, uninspired baseball I've seen in some time. It's the same uninspired baseball that plagued the Mariners under Melvin. This guy may be a good strategist and bench coach, but I don't think he has what it takes to lead a team.

by nihil67 on Jun 19, 2006 10:25 AM EDT 0 recs

The OTHER best thing to do:

Fire Ken Kendrick. He has created a McCarthyistic witch - hunt atmosphere that has to have the players sweating bullets.

by suitsmetoATnT on Jun 19, 2006 8:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Interesting take on FoxSports

NL Strike zone: Who's trade bait?

The Diamondbacks look like contenders in an NL West with no exceptional clubs, but the plan still needs to be to focus on 2007 and 2008, when they figure to take the field with a far stronger club than they have now. If they add, it will probably be a starting pitcher, with Maddux at the top of the list. The Diamondbacks could both pick up a quality pitcher and part with Luis Gonzalez or Craig Counsell, making the team better overall. Gonzalez has no-trade protection and would like to stay, but since he already knows he won't be back next year, maybe he would consider waiving it. Either Scott Hairston or Carlos Quentin could replace him in left field.

Counsell's departure would make room for Stephen Drew. ... Like Gonzalez, Shawn Green has no-trade protection and probably won't be interested in leaving Arizona. Since he's due another $11.5 million in 2007, no one is going to want him anyway. ... If Gonzalez stays, count on Hairston going, probably for the best pitching prospect offered in return. His .340/.422/.624 line at Triple-A Tucson should have a couple of teams interested in making him a regular left fielder. ... In part because of Hairston's presence, Drew is a better bet than Quentin to have fantasy value in the second half of the season.

by Jim McLennan on Jun 20, 2006 2:55 AM EDT 0 recs