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The La Russa Heartbreakometer
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Jesse Chavez
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Allen Webster
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| Billy Burns - CF | Ender Inciarte - CF |
| Mark Canha - LF | Chris Owings - 2B |
| Josh Reddick - RF | Paul Goldschmidt - 1B |
| Danny Valencia - 3B | David Peralta - LF |
| Stephen Vogt - 1B | Jarrod Saltalamacchia - C |
| Brett Lawrie - 2B | Jake Lamb - 3B |
| Josh Phegley - C | Yasmany Tomas - RF |
| Marcus Semien - SS | Nick Ahmed - SS |
| Jesse Chavez - RHP | Allen Webster - RHP |
So, let's get you caught up on everything. Firstly, the unsurprising news is that Addison Reed's trade to the New York Mets is indeed, now, official, with the two minor-league prospects received in return being as reported last night. Coming up to take Reed's spot on the 25-man roster is A.J. Schugel, who was the other candidate considered for this afternoon's start, so I would not be surprised to see him tandeming with Webster. It's not impossible Webster could be lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the third inning, if that's when his spot comes up, with Schugel coming in at that point.
More unexpected is the arrival of potential future closer Silvino Bracho, who has come on to the 40-man roster as a result of Reed's departure, and also is rising with a bullet, having been promoted from Mobile to the 25-man roster as well, at the expense of Andrew Chafin, optioned down to Reno. I guess I will have to rewrite chunks of my September call-up piece now, since I mentioned Bracho as a possible candidate! If you haven't been following our minor-league reports, Bracho is basically Enrique Burgos with better control. His K-numbers are astronomical - 13 strikeouts per nine IP this year - but his walks are low (1.8/9 IP). Keen to see what he brings to the bullpen.
It's not inconceivable this could be an audition for that closer's role, allowing Brad Ziegler to go back to the more flexible, fireman's job he had before Reed needed to be replaced. See what he has over the last month of the season, and if he looks good, we can hopefully bury the need to trade for a "proven closer" this winter - in order to replace the last time we went down that route. This is probably verging on deadhorse.png territory at this point, but I'd far rather see if Bracho has what it takes, instead of overpaying, both in payroll and prospects, to acquire someone else's reliever.