Pitching-wise this season feels a lot like 1997, except we don't have Randy Johnson and Jeff Fassero for 200+ innings each and we don't have Jamie Moyer for 188 IPs (that's a joke). This year's bullpen has better ERA's but they managed to do the leastest with the mostest and coughed up a lot of winnable games. And of course, while our offense is improved over most recent seasons, it's still middle of the pack, and we don't have Griffey-Edgar-ARod-Buhner.
If injuries hadn't completely decimated our starting rotation, it now appears we might easily have been a playoff team.
Just a coule of weeks ago I reviewed our roster and felt very woeful about it's prospects going forward. Haniger hadn't returned to form, Zunino was spotty, Segura had dwindled into a shell of himself, as had Gamel. Seager was starting to break out but we had not yet seen that he would sustain it. And the pitching was a lost cause.
Now I feel hopeful that our outfield is at least covered and could become a strength. The team still believes Gamel will hit more like his first half than his second half. Hope is reasonable that Haniger is more like the Beast he showed earlier than like the mouse he showed after his injury. I may be wrong, but I think Heredia can find significant playing time going forward. Did he wear down? I don't believe he's as bad as he's looked at the plate since his hot start.
Cano's days as a second baseman are numbered. While he still can turn a DP with anyone, his range is greatly diminished (as expected) and he is prone to occasional gaffes that, when they occur, always seem to cost us games. Cano to 1B, next year or the year after for sure.
I'd be shocked if Segura didn't return to form.
Zunino may start slow next year, but we will have reason to expect incredible streaks from him. Please, PLEASE, Lord, let him be ready to shake off his early career problems and give us sustained production. If he does it completely transforms this roster.