AJ'S Cousin

It’s too late to upgrade. Trade deadline over and the waiver wire has nothing. We go with what we have. PS, getting Grandal back will be like a trading deadline deal like getting Robert and Jimenez back in July. Don’t be so negative, we are still the best team in Central. LOL. I KNOW LIKE BEING THE TALLEST MIDGET. But we are a force still because of our starting staff and closer(s). We’ll be fine in September

We need to risk a game and let Kimbrel close and Liam pitch the 8th. Worth the risk to try and get Kimberly head straight. If that doesn’t work we lost in this trade. Another thought, why not bat Moncada lead off until TA is ready. With Robert and Abreu hitting after him, he’s got to see better pitches. He has improved lately and seeing the ball better

Every team has injuries. Look at Atlanta, Look at us, injuries galore and still safely in 1st place and going to win the division. If we have a complete A Team, start only Lance, Gio, Rodon and If necessary Cease and send Kuechel to wash the team bus. The ATeam is the key

Once again we lose a close one against a top team. Can we win a 7 game series against Houston, Tampa Bay, Oakland, or the Yankees? Doesn’t look that way. I don’t want 40 threads saying it’s because TA DIDN'TPLAY. GOOD OR GREAT TEAMS OVERCOME. Looks like we got the short end of the stick in the Cubs deal, LOL. Kimbrel is not doing what he’s getting paid for. In other threads I’ve mentioned that Kimbrel should got a shot or 2 at the 9th inning just for his confidence. TLR WONT DO IT. IS HE AFRAID OF HURTING LIAMS FEELINGS? Liam is a big boy, he understands the psychology of a closer. Not blaming Sevey on the wild pitch. But he and Jake do allow too many past balls. This team will beat good teams when TA’s legs are better and Grandal is back!! We have not had a complete A TEAM on the field together yet. Our catching will be better, lead off will return to normal with TA. A HEALTHY TA And Grandal will give us a shot to beat the good teams. The A Team will take us to the promised land unless TLRlets Kuechel start a playoff game. He cost us last year and made us play a bull pen in game three which Renteria fucked up.

Ok maybe this got out of hand because of me. In summation I’ll say this, Hernandez is a great gold glove caliber 2nd baseman, won it last year. Good power for a second baseman his size. We can carry a 230/240 hitter that fields like him. Note the play he made just a few minutes ago cutting down the runner at third!!!! Nick doesn’t make that play. He’s ok in the 7, 8 or 9 slot. We should keep him for at least next year UNLESS there’s a free agent is out there. I haven’t check who’s a free agent 2nd basement

Oh, Ozzie should have been a lame duck manager going into his final year? No extension for the manager that led us to our 1st World Series since the Stone Age? TLR never got us to the promised land, yes with other teams, but not us. KW hated Ozzie, he wanted all the glory in 2005 and hates to share. ,

Maybe they’d of won 102/103 games and not had Cleveland breathing down there neck in September . Love Ozzie. If it wasn’t for KW WE MIGHT OF HAD HIM BACK as manager. TLR doing ok, he’s just too by the book for me sometimes. Hey, we’ll win the division by 15 games, maybe more. TLR will be manger of the year, Hahn might win executive of the year. All good. Never watched or attended as many games this year . 2005 was close

Where would we be if AJ doesn’t steal 1st base in Game 2? We’d of been down 2-0, going to Anaheim, and they would of had the momentum. This is why I honor him and my monicker is AJ’S Cousin, also loved the way he would ruin Cub fans days when he played against him. He should also have a job rotating in and out of the pre and post game shows. I like Beckham and Scotty Pods, but AJ’S contributions to 2005 out weighs whatever Beckham did his whole career. I’m good with Scotty, he was a MAJOR contributor in 2005.

Hernandez is not a #1 or #2 in the lineup. He’s an 8th or 9th hitter at best. TLR’s bullshit lineups sometimes reminds me of Ozzie’s Sunday lineups. It was almost like saying “if we win great, if not, that’s ok because we are going to win the division “. I hated watching Sunday baseball in 2005 and 2006. Is TA hurt? 2 days in a row off? Hernandez is a upgrade defensively. No doubt. Madrigal is a better hitter and would have been a great #2 hitter down the line. Kimbrel I think needs to close a game or 2 to get him going again. Grandal returning will change things up. He needs to bat 5th or 6th. Maybe sandwich Vaughn between Eloy and Grandal and bat Moncada 7th until he wakes up.

Not sure i agree with sitting down Robert tonight. TLR loves to play L/R percentage But Robert’s bat against a righty is a better choice in my opinion than Lamb or Goodwin. Robert needs at bats to find his stroke plus his defense is worth the risk of righty righty. Look at Vaughn how he’s adjusted to righty’s and Eloy is playing every day

Kopech, Kimbrel and Hendriks finally did it right. If we get this this rest of the year it’s a 6 inning game when we’re a head. Kuechel, even though he settled down and somewhat decent still worries the shit out of me. Gives up too many home runs but he can field his position with best of them. THANK GOD we only need 3, maybe 4 starters he he may not be one of them.

Vaughn, Eloy, and Lamb should rotate between outfield and DH. Grandal once in a while when he need a breather from behind the plate.

Collins should stay, Sevy goes

When Grandal returns he should bat 2nd. Vaughn should stay a 5 Robert should bat 6th Moncada 7, Lamb or Goodwin 8th and Hernandez 9th. Rotation should be Lynne, Gio, Rodon, Cease and anybody 5th, Lopez, even kuechel if we are desperate. Kopech being stretched needs to be stepped up ASAP.

Lost 5 out of 6 to the Yankees, we sucked against Houston I believe. If we were in the west or the east we’d not be a playoff team.

Kuechel SUCKS. HE LOST GAME 2 in the playoffs last year and is getting worse with every outing. He’s not even a number 6 starter. I’d rather have Lopez than kuechel.

I like the move. Engel over Eaton was the right call. Goodwin wouldn’t of been a good move. I’d rather just for right now until the trade deadline have ENGEL, GOODWIN, HAMILTON, VAUGHN, SHEETS AND BURGER. our pitching staff will keep us in games until the cavalry arrives in late August. Grandl, Robert, Jimenez, and whatever happens at the deadline, then decisions will have to be made it would WILL BE INTERESTING

Without a long dissertation I will just agree. Yes he’s done a good job. I was wishy-washy when he was hired. I wanted Bouchy not an apology though. We’ll never agree with every move a manger makes but he hasn’t made too many bad decisions. If he was influential in keeping Engel instead of Eaton, GREAT MOVE.

We have 5 really good staters. 3 would #1’s on most teams. We have a potential 6th if Kopech continues to get stretched out. You don’t need 6 starters in the playoffs and WS. Yes adding to the bullpen is needed if Bummer is out longer than 10 days and Frye isn’t the Frye of last year. Burr looks good though. Is he a replacement for Bummer if Bummer is still out? Can Crotchet and Huer become the pair they were in 2020? I’ve lost faith in Marshall and Foster. But Burr could be solid. Birdied not the answer. Kopech as a swing man could be the answer. With this crazy weather we’re looking at a few games that’ll be bullpen games. Remover, and I know everybody is going to jump on me with this next comment, Lynne and Rodon are free agents at the end of the year. BOTH are SOLID SOLID starters and will attract a lot of attention and interest at the end of July and or the Winter. Extend both NOW or possibly use one as a chip in a blockbuster deal. We can try and stand pat, win the division, lose in the playoffs and lose Lynne and Rodon to the highest bidders. Could Jimenez be used as a trade chip? Not likely. MONCADA (and don’t go nuts on me) if Burger is the real deal Some of you old timers may Rembrandt the 1983 July trade of Tony Bernazard for Juice Cruz, which I believe we just finished paying off that contract LOL ANYTHING is possible and this may be the most intriguing July yet I am in favor of standing pat and going for it as we stand before you start yelling at me we can and will win the division. The pipeline is strong, but this is what makes it fun. My problem is I love trades and chess. And baseball has always been the ultimate chess match

Stranger deals have made. I wouldn’t sell Hahn short at this time of the year when he smells a shot at the WS. CRAZY TIMES AHEAD Remember, we tore it down trading Eaton and Sale and look what we got in return!! We have the pitching depth to make a crazy deal

I want to amend a previous post, after digging a little deeper, Ketel Marte may be the sleeper deal. 1st choice is still Frazier, 2nd choice, but real close to a 1st choice tie is Marte, 3rd choice Escobar. Depending on Marte's injury, he could be a great addition with control through 2024. Has the experience to play second or the outfield.

Somebody is getting traded for Frazier or Escobar. I’d bet on that. How high the Sox will go now depends on Moncada’s condition. If he goes to the IL THAN Burger is playing 3rd for a few weeks instead of the 2nd base experiment. Then you will see a trade for a second baseman. I’d be thrilled with Frazier, only 29 with 1 more year of control. Escobar is also good for the balance of this year than let him go. Shoop from the Tigers is probably a no because Detroit wouldn’t want to help the Sox. Maybe a blockbuster is also a possibility. Right after the All Star break there will a lot of sellers. Good or great players will be available. The price Hahn is willing to pay is the question. Can we win the Division Standing pat? Yes. Can we get to the WS standing pat, NO

I don't want Marte. Mercedes is not a Ford, He is definitely not what he was in April. It was only a matter of time until he flamed out. Now we see why he's been a career minor leaguer. Yeah, I thank him for what he did to start the season. It WAS must see TV for awhile. Time to move on. Burger, Vaughn, Sheets, Engel, Robert, Jimenez and not even including, but you have to, Eaton, Hamilton and Goodwin. What if Frazier or Escobar come to town?? We need a legit 2nd baseman until Nick returns NEXT YEAR. Frazier preferred, Escobar second. Garcia and Mendick are fine utility guys, but they will also burn out if they are used every day. Hamilton and Goodwin will not be needed, especially if Sheets is for real, We'll see. TLR and Hahn have there hands full. Who do you give up for Frazier?? For Escobar?? Do you actually keep Sheets on roster if Robert, Jimenez, Eaton and Engel all come back healthy?? looking forward to the chess match about to be played with the roster. Our starting 5 pitchers can weather the storm of injuries for now, but we need a 2nd baseman sooner than later, NOT Marte. Mercedes should be gone as soon as Jimenez returns and gets into the outfield DH rotation. Frankly, I'd leave Vaughn in left. He's an athlete it seems and can play the outfield, 1st or DH. Same for sheets. Burger as a 2nd baseman?? a BIG MAYBE if you can't get either Escobar or Frazier. Curious to hear from you guys WHAT YOU'D GIVE UP FOR FRAZIER?? FOR ESCOBAR?? They are not equal, Frazier is way better and will cost you more of course. I say Marshall should be part of any deal. LOL, maybe even Foster. Burr looks good, Frye is back, you need Ruiz to eat innings and of course Kopech is also due back any minute.

When Jace Fry is back and they decide Burr is the real deal, which I believe he is, Marshall should be the one to go. To erratic for me. One day he’s great, the next time a train wreck. Not to thrilled with Heuer lately either. Not saying he doesn’t have a great future but he’s been a Marshall lately. Good Days and Bad Days. Bummer seems to be coming around. Crochet and Burr should be 7th inning guys, Bummer the 8th ( if he continues to improve ) and of course Hendriks in the 9th. Middle relief and 2nd base still makes me nervous. Not saying a Mendick/Garcia combo can’t work, but legit 2nd basement that could be had for a reasonable price has to be explored as does Fry/Burr replacing Marshall. Question, is Foster hurt or in the doghouse??

seriously dude!! Fire Rick Hahn for trading clubhouse cancer and oft injured Sale. We got Moncada and Kopech. If and its always a big if, and Kopech becomes the starter he can be the trade is a steal. Williams should fired and SHOT for Trading Tatis. THAT was the screw up of the past 10 years. He had to have that piece of shit Shields. THAT was a bad trade. Hahn was the main architect of the rebuild. Look at us now. THE BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL!!!!! Now can he make a deal to shore up second base?? Can we live with Garcia and Mendick over the long haul?? I don't know. I was lucky enough to be there today!! What a rollercoaster!!! BUT EXCITING!!!!