To stand pat or not to stand pat, that is the Q

[D-train]

This team is locked and loaded with more help coming (Lewis, Haniger, Dollard, potentially Hancock, potentially Campbell).

It is very, very good. My one concern is if Raleigh goes down, we have Luis Torrens as your everyday catcher with now Brian O'Keefe as your backup. That's a problem. I bet we'd go in a tailspin if Torrens is catching every day.

So pray to God that doesn't happen. Maybe we can trade for a more legit backup and send Torrens packing. Other than that, I really like this club with a healthy K-Lew and Hanny. Can't wait to start working them into the team. Drop Upton and Toro to make room. And when Kirby is added, drop Brash back down.

That's a nice 26 right there. I would make a move for batter backup C, maybe a closer if one is out there.

Thoughts?

The issue is their 3rd string catcher? How does Torrens rate to other 3rd string catchers around MLB?

Need a "2nd string" catcher. Cal just played 4 days in a row at catcher which is the Mariner equivalent of the Bataan death march.

[D-train]

For 2B, the dire need no longer exists imo. After a Heinous June Frazier has put up .733 OPS in July. Even better the past two weeks. Moore has a .853 OPS in July. Haggarty can also play 2B. Drury is the only option out there and I bet he would turn into his replacement player self the second he got here.

Totally agree on a back up catcher since we really don't have one.

SP is the million dollar question. I would be happy if they landed a Castillo Montas type but just don't see it based on recent history. March is the most recent history and last year's trade deadline is another example of no big moves.

Soto would surprise me more than the sun rising in the West tomorrow morning, unfortunately.

I think there will be a lot of disappointed fans at the deadline if they expect a blockbuster trade.

[D-train]

This team is locked and loaded with more help coming (Lewis, Haniger, Dollard, potentially Hancock, potentially Campbell).

It is very, very good. My one concern is if Raleigh goes down, we have Luis Torrens as your everyday catcher with now Brian O'Keefe as your backup. That's a problem. I bet we'd go in a tailspin if Torrens is catching every day.

So pray to God that doesn't happen. Maybe we can trade for a more legit backup and send Torrens packing. Other than that, I really like this club with a healthy K-Lew and Hanny. Can't wait to start working them into the team. Drop Upton and Toro to make room. And when Kirby is added, drop Brash back down.

That's a nice 26 right there. I would make a move for batter backup C, maybe a closer if one is out there.

Thoughts?

How many contending baseball teams stand pat and only replace their backup catcher at the deadline?

This just isn't realistic talk. It actually makes my head hurt.

Dipoto should be scouring the ends of the earth for significant upgrades or he's not doing his job. If there was ever a deadline to go for it, it's this one... and you hope they go w. Taylor Dollard or Emerson Hancock to supplant the pitching staff in a playoff run? Jesus.

I think he will scour the ends of the Earth and then balk at the cost of doing business in MLB as per usual.

[D-train]

Wow, I didn't realize Logan was already at 111 IPs vs only 119 last year. Are they going to have to shut him down too???? A 50 inning increase would be 170 or about 60 more. That is only about 8-10 starts which only gets him to early-mid Sept. Uh yeah, I think we need Castillo. Logan and Castillo are having very similar years btw.

Logan 111 IPs 2.77 ERA 104Ks 29 BBs 1.15 WHIP

Castillo 78 IPs 2.77 ERA 82Ks 27BBs 1.08 WHIP

[D-train]

Castillo only pitched 78 innings so far vs. 187 last season so he has a lot of dry power and zero innings issues.

[Sexymarinersfan]

A 1-2-3 of Ray-Gilbert-Gonzales, and a healthy lineup definitely gives you a chance to win a playoff series. Hopefully Kirby turns into an even better version of himself next year, ala Logan, and Hancock can step in for Flexen.

Our starters plus relievers will be a good test against Houston and New York when we return for the 2nd half.

[Juliooooo]

I don't see a good need for a trade.

Backup C. Basically 1 game a week, and probably only 3-4 AB at that. It's that worth trading assets for? I guess the reason to do it is incase Cal gets... I don't even want to say it so I don't jinx him.

2B. I've thought Frazier was going to turn it around. He's never going to have a high OPS, but he should hit .250-.275 and not strike out a lot. Platoon Moore against righties. There just isn't an available 2B that is that much of an upgrade.

SP. I don't think they shut down Gilbert or Kirby. They will manage them. They might skip a start for Kirby if days off allow it. They might pull Gilbert after 5 or 6 with only 85 pitches, but I think they both continue to pitch as long as they stay healthy. Biggest question is who is depth? Do they think Dollard is ready? Milone is reliable for 3-5 innings, and the bullpen is great.

I would be fine adding a starter and making Kirby a swing man, or getting a new swing man, but I don't want to give up premium assets unless it's a stud that is here for a few years. I won't be upset if they get Castillo, but I think other teams are more motivated and give up a lot for him.

Bullpen: Seawald, Castillo, Munoz, Swanson, Festa, Brash, Borucki, Milone, Murfee. As it is, one of these guys is going to have to go when Kirby gets called back up. Tough to add someone that makes the bullpen significantly better.

Outfield. Haniger, Lewis and Trammell are all injured, but could be back soon. Hopefully Lewis and Trammell are back after the AS break. My guess is Haniger starts a rehab assignment after AS break. Would be nice to have him vs Yankees in 2 weeks. Just need a few of them to stay healthy...

I'm sure that Jerry will do some sort of move. The question is, from where?

[D-train]

This what a Castillo trade might look like. Luis is an FA after 2023.

trade 1.JPG (33.59 KiB) Viewed 296 times

[D-train]

Would you do that, Ben?

[D-train]

Guessing not.