Agreed. Such a strange season where Bielak/France/Dubon/Julks have basically made up for the deficits of LMJ/Javier/Pena/Brantley in a season where they'd already lost JV, Altuve has been out for awhile, Alvarez had been out for awhile, and the bullpen is a distant cry from what it was last year. They've tested the definition of "you need depth to survive..."
It's pretty much been worst case scenario this season. McCullers, Garcia, Urquidy, all out so we have to depend on younglings. Altuve, Brantley, and Alvarez out for extended time and we have weathered the storm. If we get some good bullpen help and a starter I like our chances in the post season.
If everyone gets healthy and the leverage relievers along with Brown and Javier can find a way get to October rested then I like our chances in the post season. But I would like them better with following: Priorities the next 9 days: 1) add a SP who can be counted on for 11+ innings every 2 starts. Obviously if he can make a playoff start even better but I'm trusting France more and more to be #4. *I don't want to see a repeat of 2021 where the pitchers are all on fumes and simply can't get outs. 2) get a bat that can replace Julks/Meyers and produce runs w/ >.800 ops and >125 wRC+ vs RHP to replace Julks/Meyers. *this team is significantly better across the board, including those 2, vs LHP but only 17% of the SP from the top 6 AL playoff contenders are LH. I don't want to see a repeat of 2005 where they simply can't score runs. 3) Get 1-3 RP who are controlled beyond this season and are clear upgrades over the AAAA guys in Sugarland and/or keep shuttling back and forth. *in addition to simply upgrading the bullpen as a whole and giving the leverage guys some rest, Neris, Maton, and Stanek will be FA so 'pen looks to be quite shallow for next year.
Looked at Javier's numbers and it's seems like his fastball is down 1mph and his spin is slightly down for the season. Anecdotally, it looks like his velocity has dropped by more than that over the last few starts. I really think he's tired or slightly injured because his fastball is getting nailed a lot more often than last year or even earlier this season. How do we get him right? We need him to be 2022 Javier by the playoffs.
France is maturing quickly, pitched a very nice game last night. Gaining confidence with every inning.
If he's not a 30 game/year starter, I'd definitely be in favor of saving as many bullets until September/October. They should absolutely manage his workload accordingly.
2024 pitching available pre-deadline additions/trades. F Valdez* C Javier H Brown J Urquidy JP France R Blanco B Bielak C Gordon S Arrighetti S Dubin J Robaina* R Montero B Abreu R Pressly L Garcia returning mid season L McCullers returning mid season Top of my head list probably off by a few.
Depending on what RP they're able to acquire at the deadline (and if it isn't for a rental) I would be open to them resigning Neris for the same contract he initially signed with us for (2 yr/17 mil). He'll be 35-36 yrs old '24/'25. Obviously contingent on how Neris looks down the stretch and the postseason. Would feel much better knowing they had Neris/Abreu/Pressly locked up for the next two seasons.
The more I think about it, too much mileage on these guys with long postseason runs. Maybe we just lock up Abreu. Not surprising to see guys like Montero and others struggling.
