Very satisfied with Nimmo, though, and would be very happy to have him back). Either that will happen, or there'll be an upgrade at CF. I've been wanting Nimmo signed to an extension for years (we shouldn't be worried about re-signing him, though. None of the acquisitions disappointed by season's end. The lineup should reflect the hot hand more than it did.Īs for the new acquisitions, Escobar came alive late in the season, and impressed me with his attitude. Lindor came around, but was soldered to the 3 hole, while not warranting it in the first half. players the team already has.įor some weird reason, Showalter kept his best hitter (McNeil) buried towards the bottom of the order most of the season. The mostly automatic outs would be replaced by hitters who could drive in the various, high OBP. A catcher (Alvarez?) and high end DH also producing power is the biggest key to substantially improving the team this off-season.

To sum up, Alonso was the only middle of the order bat. Our old friend Ron Hodges was a better offensive catcher than McCann or Nido. I would hope a hitter who's a threat against all pitching is acquired. The team will likely give him more time in the Minors to make his defensive skills more playable, so looking outside for both catcher and DH, on a short term deal (more likely DH) might be what'll happen.Įither way, an improvement at right handed DH (if the team insists on a platoon) is needed. That will determine whether he spends most of his time catching, or at DH. Either Alvarez improves defensively or not. Ruf never really broke out of a season long slump. Perhaps Alvarez will provide needed offense at catcher, if not, he can DH.

Fever of games