It's the same thing every year. People look at the standings in May/June/July when they should just be focusing on the team's record. It doesn't matter that the team is only 3 games out on June 23rd, because this division is five big boy teams (well, four and Toronto) and one of them is going to win 90 or damn close to it.
Lynn and a 2nd for Trumbo
Archer for a 1st
Liriano and junk for Headley and junk
Those three look like complete lost causes. A few others could end up very bad, but have a chance to swing back close to even.
Ugh, this is a 20-team league. An unproven reliever with decent but not great projections is the definition of replacement level. That's not a shot at you or him, he's just not materially better than other relievers on the waiver wire.
Well projections have Vizcaino at barely a 2:1 K/BB and an ERA close to 4. He'd have to be racking up saves to have value with those peripherals. Jeffress might be a bit above replacement, but if he's better than guys like Loup or Baez, it isn't by much.
Look at the 9th place team to see what was actually required though:
2014 - catsass 148-143-17
2013 - silvergun 148-136-24
15 games over 0.500 should definitely get you in. Possibly as little as 5 or 6 over.
If I can beat up on Boxy and z3r0s and go 0.500 against slayers, min, jaysblue, and havok I'll have a chance. Really, I'm just playing for pride at this point and trying to win as many games as possible though. The playoffs are a longshot.
I'd have no issues taking on Shields' contract. If I'm betting on a pitcher to stay healthy and productive for three more years, he's near the top of my list.