ICroupier

You raked Riley endlessly, but I suppose that's legitimate criticism? Yet, I factually point out that Sweeney has 2 multi-hit games in his last 55 games and suggest that someone barely hitting .200 doesn't belong on a contending team's major league roster, and I'm somehow a "troll"? Sure thing champ.

That was Sweeney's 2nd game with 2 or more hits in his last 55 games. 55!!

Skubal has allowed at least 3 runs in his last 3 starts, the bullpen outside of Finnegan and Vest has been suspect, and the offense is a hot mess. I don't like their chances against any playoff team - even in a Skubal start - with the way they're playing. And moreso, I hope for a sweep to wake Harris from any daydream that this team - as it's currently constructed - is a World Series contender.

At this point, I'd be surprised if this team isn't swept in the first round.

Sweeney is not a major leaguer and should not be on the roster of a contending team.

LOL. Our only good pitcher throwing batting practice, and our offense continues to be atrocious. This team is cooked.

So our comp package would have been Melton and Briceno/Liranzo? Assume not many would have been interested in that.

This team is cooked. Sell at the deadline. Trade Flaherty again. Move Torres to clear way for one of our dozen MI youngsters. But I truly hope they see this season as I horrifically botched opportunity, learn from it, and come back actually ready to compete next season.

Keller doesn't move the needle for me AT ALL. Don't see how he's any better than Mize / Olson / Flaherty. As I've been saying, we need a legit #2. Otherwise, we're just throwing away prospects for lateral moves.

Not gonna happen. This team is broken. Suspect SP. Horrible bullpen. Non-existent offense. I think the more likely outcome post-trade deadline is they blow the division in one of the largest freefalls in recent memory.

These days we need 3 games just to get to 6 runs in total.

This team has no chance come playoff time. Giving away games when the most dominant pitcher in the game does his thing. Sorry.

This team is a mess, top to bottom.

Bednar is the only one in that group who interests me. We need a #2 starter, not another #4/#5 starter. And Hayes doesn't interest me at all. I'm not all that keen on spending any prospect capital on hitting, but if I were to, he's the exact opposite of the prototype I'd be looking for.

Repeat. Bullpen is a mess.

Bullpen is a mess. We run out this unit in the playoffs and you can forget it.

With a season that exceeded expectations but was still a disappointment. How's that for nuance? Baseball is a fickle sport. Windows can close as fast as they open. This team has a legit shot this year. The Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Astros are all vulnerable. And while a handful of trades won't guarantee success, there's at least the chance to improve on status quo.

Soroka would be fine as the third-best pitcher acquired at the deadline. If he's the headliner, this season will not end well.

Pitching is far more a problem than hitting. They need a #2 starter and 2 RPs, one for high-leverage duty.

Why would we measure a single pitcher's impact on the full team's runs allowed per game, and why would we measure it over the course of the season? This makes zero sense and has absolutely no bearing on the topic. We're talking about a pitcher who can be a difference maker in Game 2 of a playoff series and win us the game vs. keep us in a game. That's the only question that matters. And the answer to that question is yes. DeGrom.

That's why I said Lee+. I'm not opposed to trading Hamm, per se, but not in a 2-for-1 for a RP. Lee is ranked higher than Hamm, but I'd be more willing to trade a highly ranked MI vs. a SP. Maybe Lee-Montalvo gets it done?

Yes, my intent was Hao-yu, not Chase.

The difference between this year's offense and last year's offense is less than 1 run per game. We didn't lose many games by .5 runs last year, so not sure the offense is going to save the day, either.

And do you trust this year's bullpen to win those games? Because I sure don't. Having our SP keeping us in games is not good enough in the playoffs. We need starters who are going to go out and win those games. And right now, we only have 1 pitcher who can do that. We absolutely need another if we have any chance at a title.

I want DeGrom and Bednar. I don't have any confidence come playoff time if we can't land a true #2. Mize has been very good, and I'm fine with him as a #3. But Flaherty has been too inconsistent and far too hittable at times to be trusted. And Olson is too unproven to be counted on in the high pressure playoffs. I'd be willing to trade Liranzo, Hamm, + for DeGrom. And then Lee+ for Bednar. I'd be willing to move others for another bullpen arm if Lange is out again.