Purely going by eye test Biggio looks very good in the OF and 1B. Merrifield looks better at 2B. I wish they would play Biggio in CF. He can really run and he can't be worse than Tapia.
There's no one to option for Gage except Thornton, who is the only guy with length. Gage is basically a 1 inning guy. With Kikuchi and Berrios making 40% of your starts, you're guaranteed to have an occasional bullpen abuse day.
Playoff teams should have competent MLB players as depth in case of injury.
The bullpen composition is really messed up with Mayza's injury. I think they have to keep Thornton up because he's the only reliever with any length. That also means Cimber is basically the honorary lefty reliever. with no true lefties.
Once Stripling comes back either White or Kikuchi can slide into the long role and Thornton can go down. But that leaves a full bullpen with no optionable relievers.
I really wish they had dumped Richards to a rebuilding team at the deadline. He's has big strikeout numbers and is under control for a few years, I'm sure a noncontending team has the luxury of trying to convert him into a closer with trade value. I would much rather have the roster spot to cycle optionable guys based on needs and matchups.
Even in this disaster season, Gallo has more generated more defensive and baserunning value than Tapia. Gallo has a higher wRC+ against righties this year. They have the same overall xwOBA. Gallo could remain this s***** for the rest of the year and he would probably still be a better fit for this team than Tapia.
Collins hits well for a backup C but I see your point. His entire purpose is to free up Kirk to DH regularly.
I do wish they would pinch run for Kirk more often (Kirk is like bottom 5 in baserunning value in the entire league).
Also wish they would use Collins as a late inning defensive replacement to get Kirk and Jansen off their feet. To your point a glove first 3rd catcher would make this easier.
Atkins shed salary that he created with that low IQ contract extension to Grichuk.
Watch him sign Tapia to a multiyear deal chasing after potential surplus. Just watch.