Are We Destined For Last Place?

[saxrdrunk]

It's 64 games into our season and the next closest team in our division is 6.5 games in front of us. Just wondered if anyone believes we'll be able to climb out of this hole? And, if so, how many wins it will take to get us out of the cellar?

 

I think no. What do the rest of you think? And, if you believe there's hope, which team would be finishing below us?

[digiblader]

Difficult to call. I see a decent chance we can get on a run when Jose Reyes returns next week and the schedule starts to ease up in difficulty.

[BlueJayWay]

Looks like it. Right now it's hard to see who they could pass.

[dineke]

It might not be bad thing since it would encourage a fire sale.

[bowld]

I could see us passing up the Rays before all is said and done but thats about it. No chance we catch the Sox, Yanks or likely even the O's

[Wilnercibia]

Hilarious when you think all the hype going into this season and then we finish last in the division LOL

[CHRIS]

Staying in last place into the trade deadline would be great for this team overall.

 

Maybe. I do agree with either need to go on a run and be legit in it, or be clearly out of it. Anything in between and I'm afraid what will happen.

 

The downside of being in last place is that it likely means our prime trade targets, like Johnson, are underperforming with their trade value at their lowest. Bah, what a season.

[Sparky12]

I'm not ready to write this team off yet but it's not going to be easy, with Reyes back our offense could be very good and our bullpen is dominant. If we get some reasonable starting pitching we could get our way back to 500 around the all star break

[G-Snarls]

Don't need a firesale but just unload a bunch of guys (Oliver, Johnson, Lind...) to teams desperate for an upgrade going for the playoffs. Could get some good value, shed some payroll and get younger at the same time.

 

Exactly right

 

Johnson and Oliver for sure should go if we're clearly out of it

[G-Snarls]

Johnson and Oliver almost certainly not here next year anyway so it makes all the sense in the world to trade them

[bzapple]

I could see the Orioles maybe collapsing.

[Tuco]

I could see the Orioles maybe collapsing.

 

Why?

They've shown to be a good team for far too long now to all the sudden expect them to collapse.

[digiblader]

Not out of the question. Their pitching staff is actually worse than the Jays.. and their current rotation of starters is unsustainable. And don't get me started on Freddy Garcia. Kevin Gausman, their top pitching prospects, needs to go back to AA.. and yet we sent Sean Nolin back there after only 1 start. And they don't have Wei Yen Chen back yet.

 

Don't forget the Yankees as well--their offense is near the bottom of the AL(even with Cano, and a healthy Tex and Youk), and the starting pitching has question marks(Sabathia's velocity, Hughes' gopherball tendencies, Pettite's age/health, Kuroda, and whether David Phelps holds up a full season in the majors. Let's not get started on Ivan Nova. And we're waiting on Pineda as well.)

[digiblader]

Their current pace is unsustainable due to a poor pitching staff.

 

Boston I do not expect to collapse--their success is legit. But they could be in trouble if Buchholz or Lester regress or get injured.

[G-Snarls]

Their current pace is unsustainable due to a poor pitching staff.

 

Boston I do not expect to collapse--their success is legit. But they could be in trouble if Buchholz or Lester regress or get injured.

 

And when Ortiz gets suspended for PED use

 

Or stops using

[GD]

I'm f***ing shocked that High85 might just have been right.

[bzapple]

Why?

They've shown to be a good team for far too long now to all the sudden expect them to collapse.

 

I know they've made a reputation for defying everyone's expectations, but their starting pitching is really bad. Didn't say I expected it necessarily, but if there's one contender I could picture having a second half nosedive, it's them.

[Captain Adama]

And the diamondbacks.

[GD]

And the diamondbacks.

 

Please. Their TWTW and GAR (Grind above replacement) are off the charts.

[connorp]

Their current pace is unsustainable due to a poor pitching staff.

 

Boston I do not expect to collapse--their success is legit. But they could be in trouble if Buchholz or Lester regress or get injured.

 

I own Lester in Fantasy and I'm hoping to regresses to the mean real soon.. cause I'm really hoping he isn't this bad.

[bzapple]

And the diamondbacks.

 

I think they're a pretty decent team, especially once they get Hill back. I'm big fan of Gregorius as well.

[ElNik2013]

Hey, 2014 draft is supposed to be pretty good.

[backontop]

I have a feeling if we make smart changes we can climb the latter, but this bull Mike Wilner was spinning in April was just that, (Losses in April don't mean anything) very little chance for first, but sure 3 or 4 wins by the Jays and 3 or 4 losses by Tampa or Baltimore then we could be in the middle or the AL EAST.

[Chappy]

Its more likely the Jays finish in last than not.

[backontop]

I understand why a wimp like Josh Johnson should go, but 42 year old Oliver isn't going to bring any returns, the man wants to be a husband and a father, let him finish his long career in style. (this regarding Gnsarls comment above).

[Chappy]

I understand why a wimp like Josh Johnson should go, but 42 year old Oliver isn't going to bring any returns, the man wants to be a husband and a father, let him finish his long career in style. (this regarding Gnsarls comment above).

 

Someone will trade for him if AA makes him available. The return might not be much but a lower level prospect is better than nothing. This pen really doesn't need Oliver anymore anyways.

[saxrdrunk]

Thanks for all the comments, everyone. Sorry I can't respond to them on an individual basis (barely have time to even post on here), but I really appreciate the opinions.

 

Overall, it seems there are two groups:

 

1) Those who believe we are going to finish last.

2) Those who believe we've got a chance to finish out of the cellar, but mostly if one of the other teams goes into a tailspin.

 

It's kind of sad to think that our best chance for making even a tiny climb in the standings is more likely if another team fails than if we suddenly go on an extended winning streak.

 

As someone mentioned, it's unfortunate that most of us went into the season with at least a little bit of optimism (I tried to keep mine in check, despite all the hype that was floating around) and now we're pretty much resigned to the fact that we'll finish in the basement.

 

I remember some people saying it would be nice to finally play some meaningful ball in September - or even August. Now, we've realized we're not really playing meaningful ball even in mid-June.

 

It won't stop me from watching, but I can't say it isn't at least mildly disappointing. Sigh.