[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Next two games are crucial. Need to come out of this week at least 3 games above .500.

Win the next two against the Astros and build some momentum going into the weekend series with the Angels, and last night is a blip. Still, they really should have won that game ... let a trash pitcher off the hook too many times.

Moves I would like to see:
1) DFA Getz
2) DFA JC Gutierrez
3) Call up Johnny Giavotella
4) Call up Louis Coleman
5a) Demote Mike Moustakas (or DFA Jeff Francoeur)
5b) Call up Anthony Seratelli

Use Cain to leadoff until Jarrod Dyson returns unless he's sitting. If he sits, and Lough is playing, use Lough in the leadoff spot.

Eric Hosmer to the two. He's not hitting for any power (though his 2B last night raised his SLG above his OBP, finally), but he's getting on base at a decent rate and at least making pitchers work a bit (most of the time).

Leave Gordon in the 3 and Butler in the 4.

Move Sal Perez up to the 5 spot. He has to produce out of that spot.

Hit Escobar 9th. It's his correct lineup role.

6-7-8 are filled by the combination of 3B, RF and 2B, in some sort of platoon role until Dyson is healthy and until or unless Moustakas starts hitting like a starter.

Once Dyson returns:

Dyson
Cain
Gordon (he and Hos hit enough against lefties that L-L-L should not matter)
Butler
Hosmer
Perez
3B
RF
2B
Escobar

As for Dayton Moore, he's going to be on the hot seat unless this team bounces back and finishes over .500 with at least a sniff of the wildcard. (Still plenty of time for that).

The minor league system has just not translated at all spots. Using Myers/Odorizzi/Montgomery to get legitimate front-rotation pitching is a valid use of the farm system. The struggles of Hosmer and Moustakas - and the injuries to the other first-wave SP propsects (Lamb and Duffy) have really devastated the ability for the farm system to make an impact on the major league roster.

The bullpen has a lot of draft/developed guys, but that's not good enough.

Now... if Ventura continues to murder the minor leagues like he has been (he's on pace to be a top 40 prospect right now, and he would easily be top 15 if he was bigger), and Duffy comes back strong out of the gate (two things I think WILL happen), things probably look a little rosier for Moore's farm system.

Ultimately, his farm system rises and falls with Hosmer and Moustakas, though. IF those two are not at least solid MLB guys by the end of the year, it's going to be hard for Moore to get extended beyond his current contract unless Ventura, Duffy and Zimmer save his bacon.