Each team has all offseason to construct their 2016 rosters. Until Spring Training, I'll hold off on another divisional analysis. Until then, let's while away the time shouting at DiPoto as to what he should do.
Team needs as of 11/18/2015:
Catcher:
Mike Zunino will likely spend his time in AAA, this year, re-learing what the words "strike" and "zone" mean and how those two words work together as a concrete concept. That means that there is no one, NO ONE, qualified on this roster to handle starting catching duties. At the top of the heap are Jesus Sucre (no), John Hicks (probably not), and Steve Baron (RUN AWAY).
A quality starting catcher would go a hell of a long way toward improving this ballclub. With Zunino still the catcher of the future, DiPoto has the flexibility to acquire a short-term veteran.
Dare I hope for a Dioneer Navarro signing? He would be ideal to hold this year down and play back up when Zunino's ready.
Other options include Barayan Pena and Geovany Soto.
2nd Catcher:
The Houston Astros have a drool-inducing advantage: Hank Conger backing up Jason Castro. Both are more than competent catchers and splitting time between the two (as the Astros did last season) reduces the wear-and-tear that comes with catching on both.
Jesus Sucre ain't cuttin' the mustard, man.
Starting Pitcher:
With Iwakuma still unsigned, even if he is attached to a draft pick (declined qualifying offer), we're left to consider the current rotation without him: Felix, Karns, Walker, Paxton, Elias. DiPoto has alluded to Elias spending time in the bullpen which leaves their 5th spot in the hands of the likes of Vidal Nuno, Mike Montgomery, or ...Jordan Pries?
If this team wants to achieve any kind of relevancy this season (and they do), they need another starting pitcher...or two. Paxton has shown his inability to remain healthy and Danny Hultzen...oh, God...don't do this to me.
*composes self*
This team requires additional quality starting pitching. There are too many names out there currently available to start to try and narrow down so I won't try. Just, go get more, Jerry.
DH vs. R:
With Cruz currently slotted to spend > 0 innings in RF and with Trumbo fully ensconced at 1B, we're left with Jesus Montero's AAA lefty destructo-show at DH. It is unclear how effective he will be in the MLB but it makes sense to put him in the best position to succeed by showcasing him against lefties and limiting his opportunities against righties.
The team's bench has Gutierrez (platoon vs. lefties), Chris Taylor (developing a split that's better against lefties), and Daniel Robertson (has a split that's better against lefties).
Currently, if Servais wants to platoon at DH or PH against a righty, he doesn't have any tools in place to perform that task. He needs that tool. Anticipate Jerry getting him that tool.
This is why you see names like Gerardo Parra and Alejandro De Aza come up. You see those names and think, "What? Why do we need crappy hitters? We need good players!" Well, flapjack, they fill a specific role and do it purty darn well. They hit righties and are suitable bench players.
PH vs. R:
See above
RP:
A team's bullpen is the secret sauce that allows a team to outperform its pythagorean. The bullpen is currently...okay...but it appears to have some holes. Benoit, Smith, and Furbush are headlining. Zych may throw his hat in the ring but he's still a relative unknown. I can name four teams in the division with better bullpens off the top of my head. They need to get better here.
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