Two-Gun Pete

Agreed that 22 and 23, if there will be seasons that aren't interrupted by labor strife, will be important. However, every strike thrown by Lynn & Rodon are pitches that will only hasten their departures for 22 and 23. IOW, there will be other challenges to this roster THEN that may be more difficult to solve than those of today. To the other thing, "punting Vaughns development," I ask: Wasn't some bum named Yoan Moncada sent down by his original org? Did that totally fuck him up, and ruin his career? And there are others that were sent down, and whose development wasn't "punted." Why would Vaughn lose the ability to play baseball if he were sent down? And how did that work with Mazara? Did he magically learn how to hit while getting absolutely humiliated all year long in MLB? Did he become the golden god we were promised? Or did he just continue to suck out loud? And how did his team fare? Did the white sox do well in the postseason? All kidding aside, I believe in Vaughns talent way more than I did in Mazara. (Actually, I've always believed that Mazara was one of the suckiest sucks who ever sucked, but thats beside the point.) I just look at Vaughn, and see a talented youngster who's a bit out of his depth right now. He looks like a guy who's never played above A+. And he's neither helping his team, nor helping himself right now.

Not really directed at you, but you make a good point about the replacement level bums in the roster. I dont see sending Vaughn down as stalling his development. I actually believe in his swing and his natural talent. But, I believe that he's overwhelmed right now, trying to move up 3 levels. I also believe that him (TEMPORARILY) moving to a more appropriate level can enable him to figure things out faster. IOW, sending him down could get him right in time for him to contribute this season; keeping him here to fail won't do him or the lineup any favors, IMO. Vaughn is hitting so poorly,that he would have to have a MASSIVE ~200% increase in wrc+ vs RHP to get to league average at a 100 wrc+. And yes, the below-replacement level bums suck. But RIGHT NOW, those bums vs RHP are simply better than what Vaughn can do RIGHT NOW. In a few weeks from now, if he were sent down? I'd bet that Vaughns talent would take over, and he'd outperform the below replacement level bums. So, once there's a cromulent player that can stand at LF, send Vaughn down to hit the reset button. And, I'd send Mercedes down now, and give Burger his shot.

Sheets' Splits Look at Sheets' road splits away from the hitters paradise that is Truist. Then vomit. Then you'll realize why not Sheets.

Completely random, but has Zangari retired from playing? I cant find him anywhere in the org.

I get this. Zavalas probably no more than a AAA or AAAA player at best. But, at this point, Zavalas familiarity with the pitchers and him having had a cup of coffee in the show leads me to prefer to have him in the 40. I'm not too excited about a 1B thats OPSing less than .600 away from Truist. Sheets' Splits You can look at the nice-looking overall numbers, but these are inflated by his home splits. Hes buried behind Abreu, Vaughn, Grandal, and hell, maybe Mercedes at 1st. I dont take an optimistic view of his performance, and its hard to see an opportunity for him here. If Sheets is part of a package to get a rental that can help now, I wouldn't really lose sleep over him leaving. And yes, I recognize that letting him go could be a mistake, but I kinda doubt it.

Cool. Got it. It just seemed divergent from the way I read your previous post, particularly the two parts that I underlined. For me, I'd be perfectly fine giving up on Sheets, Rutherford, and Adolfo sooner rather than later, if a 40 man spot is needed. It may be a mistake, given the lack of a 2020 MiLB season, but the FO has decided that this is the year, so decisions will have to be made.

LOL, no one's "angry." The point of the post is that we're in a win now year, and Vaughn is killing this lineup. Not because he should be let go or anything like that, but because he's been placed in an impossible position to jump up 3 levels, and he's failing right now. Once there are other options for the OF, he'd be better off continuing his development at a more-appropriate level, while this lineup would be better off "right now" with a bat that isn't ass v. RHP "right now." In a few weeks or in a month from now? Who knows, maybe Vaughn will have gotten it figured out, or Eloy will have returned, or there can be a rental added.

I read this from a previous post: So, taken the two underlined parts together, I read it as you telling us that Sheets/Burger weren't on the 40 man. [shrugs] Not attacking you, just looking for clarity here..

Oh, I agree. And yes, we all understand what ss2k is saying, in that the pile of injuries is why he's here. I'd give Vaughn more rope in the OF if he were hitting, but he isn't. But, until someone gets off the IL, and/or a rental is landed, he'll unfortunately have to stay. Here, let me google that for you: Vaughn's Splits His WRC+ vs. RHP is now down to a vomit-inducing 33. Posters lost their fucking shit in past non-competitive years when Tilson or Delmonico or Palka crushed Vaughn's comparatively pathetic splits in a win now season. His BaBIP is .233 vs RHP. RIGHT NOW, since there's like, no one else who can stand at LF, you keep Vaughn here, but limit his exposures to RHP. OR, if you MUST play him vs RHP, bat him low in the order, to limit the damage he can do to this lineup. Once Hamilton or Eaton or Engel return, let Vaughn get his bat right in Charlotte, and replace him with one of these three. Then, go get a rental as well, to fill in until Eloy returns.

Point of order: According to THIS, both Burger and Sheets are in the 40 man right now. Do you have contrary information? [EDIT: BR also has them on the 40 man.] Also, although we're all supposed to hate Zavala, he's the only other catcher in the 40 man, apart from Grandal and Collins. If he's dropped, then who becomes the next man up at C? Yermin? Leury? TA? Again, I get that we're supposed to hate Zavala and Leury, while falling all over ourselves to excuse other underperformers. But a 3rd Catcher is a "better-to-have-and-not-need," than "Need-but-not-have" sort of situation.

Unless you think that Yermin's pinch hit the other day in shittsburgh is a sign that he's coming put of his slump, I agree. We should also acknowledge that Burger is pretty much all the potential "help" that's available from Charlotte. The rest of them, to include Sheets, have artificial numbers that are inflated by Truist. Go ahead and look at whats available. The other elephant in the room, Vaughn, has continued circling the drain since this thread started. Both his overall numbers and his splits look shittier in just a mere few days. I think his WRC+ in June is down into the 60s, while vs. RHP, his WRC+ is into the LOW 30s. For him, the saving grace is that there's literally NO ONE currently in the org who could both stand at LF cromulently and hit better than Vaughn at the MLB level. So for him, either he pulls his head out of his rectum, or once one of Hamilton/Eaton/Engel are back, he can go down to Charlotte. There, he can hopefully bother to watch video and learn how to NOT swing at every crappy slider down and away. Oh, and learn how to communicate with the fielders around him, so he doesn't collide with the CFer or IFers.

I'm not as pessimistic. Yes, it absolutely sucks ass that the OF is as decimated as it is by injury right now. But, the next 18 games aren't vs the toughest competition. So, if there was a part of the season to "get by" somewhat easier, it would be now. And any move should be a temporary one, if Mercedes and Vaughn were to be sent down. We can't be much more than a few weeks away from at least Eaton coming back, and then we have the break. After the break, maybe Engel and Hamilton come back. After that, maybe a rental is added for a few weeks, until Eloy gets back. If Mercedes and/or Vaughn are sent down, maybe they could then come back when rosters expand, ready to kick ass. I'll agree, it'll be a mish-mash of various temporary patches over the next ~month or so. But I think that the injury luck has to change a bit, right? Once it does, and if Hahn can add the right rental, we should be just fine.

His numbers vs LHP just might be artificial as well. His BaBIP is .421 vs LHP, which seems high. Vs. RHP, he's OPSing a measly .476. And overall, his WRC+ has dropped from 110 in March/April to 80 this month, or a 27% drop. As you state, he's been asked to do the impossible, in jumping up 3 levels, while learning a new position. It wouldn't be outlandish for him to temporarily move to a level that is more in line with his level of experience. Then, once he's figured out how to adjust to RHP, bring him back up.

Vaughn has atrocious numbers vs RHP, and we don't yet know what his BABIP should be, because of SSS. His BaBIP might be higher or lower than average, but we don't yet know. As an aside, where do you keep coming up with Leury in LF or Burger in LF? I'd written Leury in CF, and Burger as DH. At the same time, Vaughn's wrc+ has dropped from 110 in March/April to 80 in June. That's a 27.3% fall off a cliff. In rookies, that means that opposing pitchers have him figured out, and/or that that rookie hasn't made any adjustments. Vaughn's decline in performance overall, PLUS his ineffectiveness vs RHP means that he needs more time to develop. In a "win now" season, he'd be better off doing it in MiLB.

Leury is not the inferior overall hitter vs. RHP, RIGHT NOW: Andrew Vaughn's Splits Leury Garcia's Splits I agree that Vaughn will be the better hitter and the better player. But that day is not today, at least not yet. Vaughn is getting worse at the plate month-over-month, and he's getting killed vs RHP. Let him get a few weeks in Charlotte, and hopefully, that can get him back and ready to contribute.

Nah, I'd give Burger his shot at DH. I'd go Lamb/Leury/Goodwin left-to-right in the OF vs. RHP, until Eaton or Hamilton are available.

Look, I understand all of this. But, choosing to go for a civil trial doesn't exactly prevent this sort of thing from happening to others. In the day and age of "Me Too," and in California, one would assume that the accuser would have a better chance than in different times than today, or in a different jurisdiction than SoCali. The other curious angle is that the obvious choice for attorney is Gloria Allred; This sort of case seems tailor-made for her, and she's got an office in LA. I won't belabor this further, but I do agree that all of these sorts of cases deserve thorough investigation, and where appropriate, arrest, indictment, trial, and sentence, if the accused is guilty..

No, I get it. My thought is that if you send Mercedes and Vaughn down, perhaps they can get themselves reset in time to help down the stretch. The schedule for the rest of the 1st half is favorable. So, I'd send both of them down, and ride with Goodwin/Leury/Lamb until hopefully Eaton and Hamilton get back before the end of the 1st half, then supplement the OF with a rental or two. Then, perhaps Eloy and Robert come back in the 2nd half, OR Vaughn and Mercedes pick their heads up and get back to help. For the next few weeks, I'd ride with Goodwin/Leury/Lamb vs the weak opponents coming up. I'd give Burger his shot, and see where we are by the end of the 1st half. Posters confuse the non-competitive seasons of the recent past, where letting a young player "play through his issues," when this is a WIN NOW season. Each and every game matters this year. In 2022, there might not be a season, or if there is, Lynn and Rodon will probably be long gone. There simply isn't any time for a struggling youngster to "play through his issues," IMO. Let him work out "his issues" in Charlotte, and then it should be "next man up." YMMV.

Vaughns Splits Don't be disingenuous. His WRC+ vs. RHP is unplayable. His WRC+ vs all handed pitchers is in free-fall month over month. He's hurting this team, and he's not learning.

Yes: His wrc+ has gotten shittier month over month. This means that his opponents have him dead to rights, and he's getting BURIED at the plate. He also sucks vs the ~75-ish% of MLB pitchers who throw right-handed. I mean, Charlie fucking Tilson's wrc+ in 2019 v RHP was almost DOUBLE what Vaughn's is this season. People lost their fucking minds in that non-competitive season about Tilson, yet in a WIN NOW year, they want to see this kid continue to struggle? Don't get me wrong, I like Vaughn, and I believe in his future. But 2021 may be the best opportunity to win for this team in this window. I'd hate to fuck this up, watching Vaughn get pantsed vs RHP.

Well, actually, he's countersued his accuser a few weeks ago, so perhaps there will be some clarity with that. The alleged actions occurred solidly within the statute of limitations. So if the alleged victim has a case, then one would assume that she could go to the sheriff's office, file a complaint, and that would be that for Puig, his career, and his legal case. However, the alleged victim hasn't done that, but rather, went straight for the cash, and [AFAIK] not gone to the sheriff's office. It is for this reason that I have my reasons to wonder about the veracity of her accusations. IF there's a case, then take it to the sheriff, who would take it to the DA, who would give them their day in court. One can always go back to court and get your cash damages later, or put a lien on his future earnings/pension. Every one of these accusations should be investigated thoroughly, and if a criminal offense has occurred, then the accused should have their day in court, and if found guilty, serve a sentence. But I wonder why, in the day and age of "Me Too," that the Sheriff wasn't contacted about this.

I think this lineup can manage against LHP [i.e. the small ~25-ish% of MLB pitchers] without Vaughn. Against the MAJORITY ~75-ish% RHP, he's fucking killing this team. And with every injury, he's killing the team more. I'd take my chances with other players NOW, in the hope that he can go to Charlotte and un-fuck his swing in time to help when rosters expand this fall. Vaughns Splits Looking at this, he's not only taking a giant shit on this lineup vs. RHP, Andrew Vaughn is getting worse at hitting as this season has gone on: March/April: wrc+ 110 May: wrc+ 102 June: wrc+ 80 And once again, his wrc+ vs RHP is a shitty 38. He is ACTIVELY hurting this lineup. He's getting BURIED at the plate, while wasting his controllable years. IDGAF how good he will do "someday." This is a WIN NOW season, and with every injury, every guy in the active roster has to pull MORE weight, not less. MLB SPs have him figured out, and he's not learning anything here. There is no shame in admitting that this team asked him to do the impossible. His day will come soon enough, but it ain't today. Vaughn needs to go down, so that he can stop hurting this team, AND maybe he can get his shit sorted in time to come back up to help this team. RIGHT NOW, Goodwin, Leury, and Lamb are all better choices than Vaughn is right now, at least vs RHP. Platooning him isn't an answer, and neither is letting him continue to circle the drain while this team struggles.

Nah, don't ban (snicker) "MLBfun." Change his name to "Cheatin' Derek Vigoa" or something similar.

You'd better look again @ Vaughns slugging vs RHP: Vaughns Splits Vaughn ain't slugging an otherworldly .726 vs. RHP. Hes slugging a putrid, anemic, NL pitcher-level .242 vs R as R. That's NOT his batting average. That's NOT his OBP. He's slugging a shitty .242 vs. RHP. If Leury were doing that, people would be losing their fucking shit over it on these boards. And thats one reason why Vaughn has to be sent down. He sucks out loud vs. RHP at an almost-entirely offensive position. While burning through his controllable years, and not really learning anything. This org has asked Vaughn to do the impossible, and its perfectly fine to admit that he's just not yet ready. Especially, in a "Win Now" season. Now, insofar as Escobar goes, I'd take him. He's even played LF in the past, so if you'd want to put him there, fine. He'd fucking be better than Andrew Vaughn is right now vs the ~75% or so MLB pitchers that are RHP.

Youkilis, Liriano, and Myers are what they got at/near the TDL in 2012. I thought they were reasonable acquisitions at the time. I also thought that it was one of the better jobs by KW at the TDL, particularly since I didn't think there was much ammo to trade away. This year, I don't think any "big moves" are whats needed, so much as a few rental add-ons. A bat or two, particularly bats that can get something done v. RHP, and some additional depth for the BP. Just so that the lineup isn't a complete and total joke against RHP & against 1st Division competition. And, an additional arm that every contender needs down the stretch.