HaloNArizona

It still amazes how everyone thinks we have this great farm system and stoneman or whom ever can acquire anything and everything.  Due signings of Wilson, Hamilton and Pujols we have missed out on several first round picks.  Due to some poor drafts, we have missed out on quality players.  The "talent" we acquired cost us nothing, and at least Murphy is performing decently. 
 
This club needed to stay on the rebuilding path....Dipoto, as much as everyone hates on him, started that movement.  Younger, controllable solid pitching, moving Conger for Perez and Trop was a pretty decent move, moving Trumbo for Skaggs and Santiago was a genius move.  Acquiring Kubtiza was not a bad move either....poor marks on the Joyce for Jepsen move, but again, Jerry had a plan, Mike and Arte screwed it up.

It still amazes how everyone thinks we have this great farm system and stoneman or whom ever can acquire anything and everything.  Due signings of Wilson, Hamilton and Pujols we have missed out on several first round picks.  Due to some poor drafts, we have missed out on quality players.  The "talent" we acquired cost us nothing, and at least Murphy is performing decently. 
 
This club needed to stay on the rebuilding path....Dipoto, as much as everyone hates on him, started that movement.  Younger, controllable solid pitching, moving Conger for Perez and Trop was a pretty decent move, moving Trumbo for Skaggs and Santiago was a genius move.  Acquiring Kubtiza was not a bad move either....poor marks on the Joyce for Jepsen move, but again, Jerry had a plan, Mike and Arte screwed it up.

If we miss the playoffs, why not blame the 28-39 road record
If we miss the playoffs, why not blame the piss poor offense:
Runs - 560 - 23rd Batting Average - .244 - 29th On Base Percentage - .306 - 27th Slugging Percentage - .388 - 26th   We don't deserve to make the playoffs.

While it was a great outing by Shoe, lets remember this....we are 5.5 out of the first place, just went 5-5 in our last 10
 
For the month of August we have a team BA of .219, .279 OBP and a .622 OPS
 
For the month of August our pitching staff has a combined ERA of 4.73 (Starters have a 5.21 ERA)
 
Yep...that's a playoff team making the push.

I didn't add Giavotella to the list, as I think most feel we need a 2B upgrade.

I would like to have seen Jerry's full plan finished....
 
The past two offseasons, he acquired Skaggs, Santiago, Heaney and Tropeano.  Going into next year our starting pitching available is:
Weaver, Wilson, Richards, Santiago, Skaggs, Heaney, Tropeano and Shoemaker.  Newcomb has a chance to be thrown in the mix as well.
 
If I was a gambling man (truly a no brainer on my part), my early projection for next season:
Richards, Weaver, Heaney and Skaggs
 
Leaving Shoe, Trop, Wilson and Santiago battling for the fifth spot or (trading high with Santiago), trade bait to fill the LF or 2B hole.

There is only two years difference between Upton and Heyward.  Upton has an OPS + of 120 and Heyward has an OPS + of 114.  Upton has more power than Heyward.  I watched Upton for a few years in Arizona....he can be lax, but I would take him in LF. 

This team, as constructed was never going to be a playoff team.  Anyone who thought that, should have their head examined.  This team, as constructed was going to be competitive, with an eye to the future.  Jerry, as much as people may not like him, was building a staff for the years to come.  Heaney, Skaggs, GRich, Trop, Santiago and maybe Shoe.  We have glaring holes at 3rd, LF, C.  But Jerry tried to address those by moving for Kubitza.  Jerry had a plan, Mike just screwed it up.