Left field has a cumulative OPS of .599. I don't see how that gets appreciably worse, and it's not going to decline more than right field will improve. Third base has an OPS of .468. That is going to be A LOT better. So effectively you're saying that the regressions from the pitching staff will more than offset replacing a black hole with Chase Utley? I don't agree. This offense is capable of doing far better than it has in the first half while I only see injuries knocking the pitching down significantly enough to torpedo the teams chances.
This offense doesn't need to be much better to win a bunch of games, it just has to be the 25th best lineup instead of the 30th. That can happen without any trades and if they do add a big bat then there is a very real chance this team goes on a tear.
Further, let's not the forget the impact of actually having a serious chance of winning when our backup catcher plays. Gimenez did cost the M's numerous games and his removal will also be a significant boost.
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