A Suspension of Disbelief

I’m tired of being cynical.  I’m tired of expecting the worst, and thinking things will never get better.  This offseason, I think I can stop being those things.  The days of Jason Simontacchi and Daniel Cabrera in our rotation are over.  No more Robert Fick or Henry Blanco clogging up the infield.  The foundation was always there, but this offseason, Mike Rizzo is making moves that are turning this team into an actual big league franchise.  Imagine that!

Step 1) Cut the driftwood.

Rizzo has done that, allowing players like Austin Kearns, Anderson Hernandez, and Ron Villone to drift away.  I don’t think he’s done yet, but this year’s team has seen a high percentage of turnover, which when you lose over 100 games, is a good thing.

Step 2) Pitching.  Lots of it.

Jason Marquis, Brian Bruney, Matt Capps, Tyler Walker, Matt Guardado, and Ryan Speier.  Um, not all the way there, obviously, but we’re trying.  Look for another starter or two, and maybe some more bullpen help.  Segueway…

Step 3) Remake the bullpen.

Wow, last year was just atrocious, wasn’t it?  Well, this year’s bullpen projects to look a little different.  No more Kip Wells and Julian Taverez.  This year, Matt Capps should close, Brian Bruney should setup, and the rest of the pen should be some combination of Tyler Clippard, Jason Bergmann, Sean Burnett, Drew Storen (I think he breaks camp with the team), maybe Doug Slaten or another FA.

Step 4) Try not to have minor league FAs start more than 1 game for your team.

We had a little of that last year with JD Martin, so hopefully we don’t repeat that.  I’d have to think, barring another signing which I think WILL occur, the rotation will shake out as follows: Jason Marquis, John Lannan, Craig Stammen, Ross Detwiler and Scott Olsen.  That rotation won’t win a division, but I don’t hate it.

Step 5) Improve defense.

Pending.  Sign O-Dawg, Mike. Do it.  Do it for the kids.

All in all, I’m telling you that I have a modicum of hope that this team will make baseball watchable in August, and not leave me finding ways to give away tickets in September.

By the way, this blog is both new and not new.  We were on Blogger for a year, took a year off, and decided to give it another go.  This blog will be less cynical than some, and less annoyingly positive than others.  Basically, expect some analysis, some funny pictures, and maybe some interesting opinions.  Tell your friends.  Link it up.

Lastly, a link to some pictures I took today at Natsfest.  Enjoy.