I wouldn't deliberately tank if I were him, but I'd also try to maximize my assets. I think Duffy should be traded, but I can at least see an argument to keeping him. But keeping Merrifield or trading him for lower ceiling talent does nothing to help us actually contend. Lopez will likely be up next year leaving a roster crunch in the middle infield. Something has to give there.

Pratto has turned out to be a turd.

He's 19 years old.

When Hoz was 19 he had 454ab with 6HR and .254avg in A ball

And how he's the best ground ball hitter in baseball! Hits it 200 mph right to the infielder. Boom. I mean he gets out, but he looks good doing it.

He's not really doing that bad. Has a higher average than Melendez and Matias, although not enough power. He needs to improve, but he's certainly not a turd.

He's no Cheslor Cuthbert or Hunter Dozier that's for sure.

Got damn you're stupid

Time will tell.

Who is the best to play 3B next year? Hunter Dozier doesn't look like he's an everyday player and I'm not sure Cheslor is the answer, either. Can Whit or Nicky Lopez play there?

Delusions of Grandeur for 2019

3B - Whit Merrifield .291 15 HR .801 OPS 3.7 WAR
2B - Nicky Lopez .292 7 HR .802 OPS 3.0 WAR
1B - Jorge Soler .267 30 HR .901 OPS 2.2 WAR
C - Salvador Perez .263 34 HR .789 OPS 3.4 WAR
DH - Jorge Bonifacio .269 27 HR .805 OPS 2.5 WAR
CF - Brett Phillips .284 16 HR .822 OPS 3.3 WAR
RF - Brian Goodwin .255 18 HR .777 OPS 1.1 WAR
SS - Aldaberto Mondesi .319 23 HR .904 OPS 5.6 WAR
LF - Alex Gordon .253 13 HR .805 OPS 3.5 WAR

UT - Rosell Herrera .277 2 HR .695 OPS 1.1
OF - Elier Hernandez .284 1 HR .655 OPS 1.0

SP - Danny Duffy 3.97 ERA
SP - Brad Keller 4.21 ERA
SP - Heath Fillmeyer 4.19 ERA
SP - Jakob Junis 3.39 ERA
SP - Trevor Oaks 3.90 ERA

PEN - Kevin Mccarthy 2.99 ERA
PEN - Richard Lovelady 1.54 ERA
PEN - Josh Staumont 1.22 ERA
PEN - Jason Adam 3.05 ERA

You're smoking something. And Whit has nowhere near enough power for a 3B.

I do legitimately wonder what they're going to do with all the outfielders. Of course they have to stay healthy first.

Cuthbert is only going to be 26 next year. I could see them giving him a shot. There are many a player, especially in this organization, that didn't figure it out until about then.

How can you play Whit at 2nd with Lopez ready? It really makes no sense to keep Merrifield on a 100-loss team given that we have a MLB-ready player behind him.