Some post first month observations:
* A little surprised with the over-all team hitting - Thought they would be better
* Starting pitching is where I thought it would be and if they are to compete, will need to remain there
* Bullpen is somewhat disappointing - The lack of a closer has cost the team
Surprises:
* Encarnacion - Who would have thought? Has taken up the slack from the other hitters
* Johnson - Has some pop in his bat and plays a good second base (great trade IMHO)
* Drabek - Nice to see him mature and keep his composure in the game
* Alvarez - Could be the ace of the staff
Disappointments:
* Bautista - Batting average as opposed to home runs. He seemed to tail off power wise at the end of last year, but his lack of extra base power is a concern.
* Escobar - Expect more from a lead-off hitter...Hopefully the recent move to the 2nd spot will allow him to relax at the plate
* Rasmus - Was hoping a new year and new team would result in a break-through year...still early and still time. Solid defensively (personally feel that a winning team has to be strong up the middle from a defensive stand-point)
* Lind - Time to end the experiment and bring up Cooper
Concerns:
* Romero - High ERA. Hoping that it is due to the current game at hand (Jack Morris won a lot of ugly games - He would give up 5 runs and win 8-5, but he would "up" his game and win the 3-2/2-1 games)...Hopefully Romero is similar
* Bullpen - I can't stress the fact that we need a stud who can come in and close out games. We can not win without this piece of the puzzle.
* Morrow - Bi-polar is the only way I can describe this guy. When he is on (like last night) he is the ace of any pitching staff...When he is off (aka Seattle), he is just some mop-up schmoe you use to eat up innings. If he is on 75% of the rest of this season we have a solid chance of going somewhere
* Lind - AA needs to make the tough call and bring up Cooper or another bat from the minors or through trade
* Thames - I find he is streaky and not as productive as we could have.
Expected:
* Arencibia - Shitty average but productive. He calls a great game/handles the pitching staff and despite a career low batting average, seems to have good numbers from a HR/RBI perspective.
* Bullpen - Middle relief has had it's high and low moments, like any team.
* Lawrie - The dreaded sophomore year has not reared it's ugly head. His enthusiasm is where I thought it would be. Hopefully he picks it up a little more from an offensive perspective and becomes more of a team leader by example as opposed to a cheer-leader.
Overall expectations are good as I believe that their starting pitching is the key to any success in 2012. If they land a bona-fide stud as a closer, or if Santos returns and performs as expected then the expectation meter will increase...
Nice to see that Farrell is not afraid to tinker with the batting order. Keeps things interesting!
