Glasgow Seahawk":oc8kp7kc said:
I'm loving what's happening so far this season.
3 things worry me though.
When Cano's suspension is over, do you bring him back in? Do you mess with team chemistry or move Gordon back to CF? Especially if Cano can't play in the play offs and they have to readjust the team again. He may also be super rusty.
Should we make the play offs...do you play Felix? I know the big knock on him is he has never played a play off game...but if its a 1 game wild card its surely got to be Paxton right? If its the divisional round do you even play him? Your paying the guy 20 odd million. Given they had Felix start opening day, my fear is he would be given the start in those games out of loyalty despite him not earning it this year.
Is anyone terrified Paxton will get hurt? He's been fairly injury prone in the past but so far so good this year. Starting pitching outwith Felix has been solid but I feel his would be one injury that could mess everything up.
Regardless, if we take this series against the Angels we are looking good. Boston and NY will be tough but considering I was dreading June, we are looking legit.
I've also been thinking about what happens when Cano comes back. Not being able to play at all in the post season really throws a monkey wrench into the whole thing. Because of that they can't just move Dee Gordon back to CF and let Cano be the everyday 2nd baseman (which Dipoto has recently come out and admitted). You need to keep Gordon fresh and used to playing 2nd base on a daily bases as well as continuing the continuity between him and the other infielders.
With that said I don't think they'll be able to afford to simply not play Cano either. I think his bat is going to be a big contributor down the stretch and adding him back in for the last month+ before the post season could be the difference between a wild card spot and actually winning the division (giving yourself a better chance at going deeper in the playoffs). The trick is going to be getting him in the order enough to get his bat going but also not sitting anyone else so much that they are rusty come playoff time.
If Healy continues to struggle that to me is the most obvious place to get Cano some playing time. Gordon will likely play 2nd base 3 out of 5 times during the week and give Cano 2 days at 2nd per week. Those other 3 games I'm thinking you alternate between DH and 1st. You want to be careful with DH because you don't want to take Cruz out of the lineup that much every week but giving him a day every now and then could also help to keep him fresh for longer. I think at this point I would have Cano play 2 of those 3 games he's not at 2nd base at 1st relieving Healy, and then the 3rd game he'd alternate weeks playing DH one week and then just getting the day off the next.
The other huge factor that could completely change things over the next month before Cano returns is injury. Obviously if someone like Gordon or Cruz goes down well then you have a spot right there to play Cano daily. I hope that doesn't happen though because I'd love to see what this offense can do with a long stretch of having Cruz, Cano, and Gordon all in the lineup together.
