I haven't thrown in the towel on this season yet, they're in tough for sure. 4.5 games back of WC #2 and have to jump over three teams to get there (OAK/BOS/SEA).
But I'm just looking at the "bones" for next years team because I can't sleep, and I'm bored.
C - Kirk, Mcguire, Jansen, Moreno
1B - Vlad
2B - Biggio, Valera
3B - Espinal, Smith
SS - Bo
LF - Gurriel, Grichuk
CF - Springer
RF - Teo
DH -
SP - Ryu
SP - Berrios
SP - Manoah
SP - Stripling
SP - Hatch
SP - Pearson
RP - Romano
RP - Merryweather
RP - Mayza
RP - Cimber
RP - Richards
RP - Borucki
RP - Saucedo
RP - Castro
RP - Overton
Deep at catcher, especially if Moreno graduates at some point, and still 4 average to strong outfielders, especially if Gurriel can bounce back.
1B and SS are likely more than fine obviously
2B and 3B are obviously big question marks, but could be fine with Biggio bouncing back at a familiar position and Smith panning out. I'm not sold on Espinal as a full time guy, but he should be more than fine as a bench guy
Starting pitching looks middle of the pack on paper, but decent enough probably, certainly need to target a couple starting pitchers though, in trade or free agency (Ray & Syndergaard plz). The Berrios addition sure made next years rotation less cloudy though, with 4 solid SP's slated to return now.
Bullpen is just an unpredictable volatile collection of who knows what. Every one of those relievers could be very good but you sure would like to see an extra high leverage guy or three brought in as insurance. Imagine the psyche of this team if management doesn't bolster the pen in the off season and they start blowing games early again next year?