When guys get called up and get one at-bat here and one there, you cannot possibly know if they're ready to play or not. There's nothing wrong with giving some young kids a shot when guys like Lowell and Pierre aren't performing. Andino is playing largely because Gonzo and Easley are injured; they don't have any other options.

Our entire 4 game deficit in the wildcard, and even our 6 game deficit in the division, can be attributed to Lowell and JP. If they play up their norms for the last 2 years we have at least 6 more wins.

 

That said, it's the manager's fault that Lowell and JP were allowed to play us into third place in a division we should have won. Lowell fell apart LAST YEAR, so there is no way McKeon should have let him stay on the filed so long. JP, after 2 good years, is reverting to his Colorado form. You "small ball" guys may like stolen bases, but they don't win games if your OBP is lousy. JP clearly didn't deserve to be leading off, and Jack and the GM are at fault for failing to find a repalcement.

 

What we need now is someone young and energetic enough to light a fire under the team next year, experienced enough to manage well, and respected enough to get our GM to get him what he needs to win. McKeon needs to go, or it will be more of the same next year. Why do you think he lost the clubhouse? The other players knew Mikey was hurting the team, yet Jack stuck with him, they knew JP's lousy OBP, but Jack led him off, they knew Jack made all the wrong bullpen moves, and Jack's buddy Cox is no better than a blind man coaching third base. Players hate it when the manger or FO do things that take away their best chance to win.