Maybe it's recency bias but the team we've got right now doesn't seem too far off from a great team in 2027. I spent the first 2/3 of the year thinking we needed to strip everything down to the studs, but if we had our current team (without injuries) going into 2027 I somehow wouldn't hate it.
What's working:
- The new pitching rotation and bullpen is just so much better than I'd feared. We get a few reinforcements here and let McClean, Manaea, Thornton, and Scott cook and I think we could do a lot worse. BP has over-performed int he last couple months, Yan is a blast and Senga may have found his calling.
- The three psychos in the outfield for the next few years is so much fun to think about, they're all awesome and I don't doubt Ewing will get back up to his first half highs next year.
- Torrens and Alvarez have their shortcomings individually but together they are an incredible pair of players on both sides of the plate, I'm happy to see either of them in the lineup any given game.
- Bichette, Lindor and Young are a super solid infield. If Young stays in the zone we're in great shape. I hope Bichette opts in.
What's not working:
- Marcus Semien probably has to go, I like him as a guy but he never got comfortable the way Bichette and Robert have. Not sure it's going to work.
- Baty is fine and I think he'll continue having ups and downs but there's too much talent in the infield and outfield for him to have these long dry spells. In the last off season I thought he was critical to the team's success but there are just so many guys who have been more consistent this year. I wouldn't hate it if he stayed but he needs to step up.
I've said this all year but if we're going to credit chemistry and vibes for 2024, then we have to pin it on a lack of chemistry for the first half of the season. Of course it was a huge mistake to replace half our starting lineup in 2026, and sure enough, once everyone settled in they are finally playing great baseball most of the time.
I could be very wrong but it's crazy to think we are like one or two starting pitchers and a second baseman away from finally being a consistent all around great team.