Opinion Needed

[SCOTTZIMMERMAN]

Yes. I am platoonong Mazzillie and Baylor. Mazzili has done very well so far against both left and right hand pitchers as I had started him a few times in the OF. Baylor has been off to a slow start but has driven in some runs and made some things happen.

I just added Sid for Show. Carlton and Higuera had been starting every game on 3 days rest thust far. I am thinking of giving Blue one more shot and if his number don't improve I was going to add a righty who can go on three days rest.

Zahn has been a big surprise for me. He has pitched above expectation to this point. Not sure if it will continue

[Panzer ace]

Ok in no particular order:
-Blue should go. Replace him with a cheaper 5th starter option. You need the cash for offfense.
-If you decide to let Sid go, get another cheaper 5 day SP and rotate him with Zaun and another 5 day in a 4-man rotation. That will get max starts for Carlton and Higgy. I have seen some all LH rotations work, but keep an eye on what your division can load up with against them.
-I agree with A2B. Baylor should go.
-SS-drop Russell. Go cheap and just play Dejesus or look for some hitting with a guy like Franco. He might still be out there.
-Keep Lemon and Carter to anchor the OF for now. Move Mazilli to DH(full time, he isnt that lopsided) and use the $$$ to pick up a corner OF/DH to upgrade the offense. A2B listed some names to look at. Lots to choose from. It just depends on what is in the FA pool and what you free up in $$$.
Just my humble opinions. Your mileage may vary. :wink:

[SCOTTZIMMERMAN]

Oh and the players who I have relased thus far who had done nothing for me have been: Pagliarulo, Incaviglia, Easler, D. Evans, and Eric Show.
Incaviglia and D Evans were beyond awful. Dwight was hitting .148 with over 100 plate appearances with no production and killing innings.

[SCOTTZIMMERMAN]

Panzer.

I have considered letting Blue go. I think one more start and no production I will take you up on that move.

What do you think of Baker?

Baylor has seen the release button alot but his rbi and homerun total seem to be something I need right now.

Mazzilli has been productive and I dont mind giving him the DH role fulltime.

Thanks for your help. Let me know your opinion on Baker.

[Panzer ace]

Not a big fan of Baker. You could give him a few more ABs if you want or use his cash to add to what you can use at SS & the OF spot to replace Dusty. BTW, it isnt just the lack of production from Blue. I think you have too much $$$ tied up in the mixed rotation. He is the obvious guy to go. You could try a cheaper guy (Schmidt, Swan, Bankhead,Lea, Honeycutt to name a few) and add the $$ to your offense.

[hechojazz]

As you tinker with your rotation, perhaps future personnel changes will allow you "regularize" things such that you are taking full advantage of your pitchers. Zahn is pitching very well so far, so you maybe could use him in a trade, as opposed to dropping him and taking a salary hit? You'll still come up against El Sid's awkward fit into a rotation of *SPs, but if he's pitching well enough I'm sure you'll not mind having him. It is just that with 3 *SPs, you need at least two other pitchers and...well the numbers are not ideal.

Mazzilli seems to be the preferable DH against both RHP and LHP at this point. Can't argue with his speed either.

[SCOTTZIMMERMAN]

THanks Hecho.

I think that I will give Blue one more look. If things dont get better for the old guy then I will release him and use his cash to get a cheaper RSP.

I really hate to get rid of Zahn at this point as he has pitched well.

There are not a lot of SS left out there. I started the season with Gagne but he was just horrible. I will start looking at what SS look decent witht he glove that are left. DeJesus scares me to put out there everyday.

[hechojazz]

Is Dunston available in the FA list? I've seen him do quite well for his price when picked up by others midseason...

[Paul5757]

You can also run your rotation like this:

1* (Higuera)
2* (Carlton)
3 (Fernandez)
4 (Zahn)
5 (Blue)

Then you set the per-game starter schedule like this: 1-2-3-4-1-2-5-3-1-2, etc. This gets you the max out of Higuera and Carlton, and doesn't make Fernandez such a bad choice. Now that you already picked him up, you might was well see how he pitches.

If you cut Blue, think cheap RH S/R. Heck, pick up 2...one can go to the pen, pick up innings, and possibly reveal a good card.

[SCOTTZIMMERMAN]

Thanks Toi. I will be watching Blue and if I drop him I will pick up a cheap 5th starter.