I have no faith in RA Dickey. I wish they'd trade him. It looks for sure like Sanchez will be heading to the bullpen in a month or so, which is unfortunate since he's one of their top 2 pitchers. I'd send Stroman instead. But i'm not the manager or GM and understand they don't want to compromise Sanchez' career. Personally, i think pitch counts are way overrated.
As for the bullpen, Bret Cecil should be rejoining the team soon, which will be a great boost if he's 100% healthy. They need to figure out ways to rest the bullpen more since it was obvious in his last couple of outings that Osuna is starting to get tired from being overused. I really like the Grilli signing. He's been a great boost of energy for that bullpen and seems to be a good guy to have around the team.
I'm still not crazy about Bautista hitting leadoff, though. They're wasting what he brings you power-wise. Carrera would be better suited for that role, but he's the 4th outfielder. By the way, they should send Devon Travis down to the minors to regain his hitting stroke. Goins and Barney are considerable upgrades at the second base position and Tulo is close to being back in the lineup.
Yeah Dickey is tough, 50 50 that he'll either go 8 strong 1 or 2 ER no problems or 4 innings and get completely shelled. When he is right though he eats up innings so I can understand the allure of keeping him in the rotation, god knows u can't put him in the pen.
And Cecil if its Cecil of last year sure, but he was terrible this year, just a lead hit waiting to happen. Stroman is too wild for the bullpen I feel, you need good control guys coming in there in potentially tight spots, Stroman is still a little wild and amped up a lot of games it seems.
Totally agree about Grilli in terms on performance and mentorship and Joe Biagini has been a very nice surprise as well.
I like the Bautista leadoff personally cause while he does have power, his strength has always been great plate discipline and he leads the AL in walks. Add now he has protection from DOnalson and Edwin more likely he gets pitches to hit ot on base cause of that great eye, plus he has great base running instincts. Not a prototypical lead off man but since they made the change they are 17-8 and have the best record in the AL eaast, can't argue with that.
I was never a big Tulo fan. Always seems to choke with risp or strikeout waiting to happen, plus constantly injured. Trading him for Reyes was essentially a push, great middle infielders one wth more power the ither better batting and speed, both just a hair from the DL every game. I agree Goins and Barney and incredibly underused but nice to know we have a lot of young pieces for the future.