I feel ya, man. I’ve been quite frustrated with our managers decisions this spring so far. A couple were understandable, because what else could you do. But a ton of pitching choices were absolute head scratchers. Pulling starters for a pinch runner, with 3 innings or better (a few times).
Now don’t get me wrong, those managers are paid a lot of money to make those decisions, and they have way more info than we do looking in from the outside, but some calls you don’t need that info to realize it’s WTF time. There have been blatantly bad decisions made, before they even came to fruition on the field.
A week ago with Richardson(?) maybe. First relief afterncoming up, blows a good lead and costs the game. A couple days later, same. exact. damn. thing.
Granted, we DFA’d him the day after the last one. I mean hot fucking garbage.
That manager didn’t know he didn’t have the juice to be a reliever? The pitching coach didn’t see it? Was the first time nerves with a big league start and a commanding lead? Why not yank that guy as soon as he started struggling? We had plenty of help available. Granted a few weren’t much better, depending on which version of their-self showed up that game, but still better than giving up handfuls of runs and loading them up.
Now I know you can’t always just yank a guy at the first sign of trouble, and sometimes you gotta let them settle down and pitch. He never settled down. Bigger deal than Cole’s shoulder was him getting the DFA. Cole’s in better shape than first thought, no surgery required, probably out 6-8 weeks. Not perfect, but our starters are going to be ok for now.
But yeah, sometimes you have to risk the ego bruise and mental game and yank the guy. They’re big boys, top level, and should be able to understand as a professional. Doesn’t mean they like it, of course.
Other decisions were clinging to a few guys that needed a AAA reset in a bad way. They just weren’t producing for shit, and nothing was helping. I don’t think it was on-field effort, but neither were exceptional in the field to make up for it, and were JAG’s out there. (Melendez, Renfroe, and they’re still hanging on Massey for now.)
We could use a minor upgrade or two, no pun intended, but maybe finally some pieces are coming together. Not sure they will get to the post-season at this rate, I thought the same last season too, but the break is coming up before long and maybe they can get competitive for a second half push to the finish line.
If not, it happens. Unfortunately a lot more times for a small market team, but at least we aren’t nickel and diming the payout. Still got a bit of hardware over these past 56 years.
Either way, saw some ball, had some grub, drank some beers.