September Q & A

 

By Tommy Gunner, 2 September, 2024

We've had lots of questions locally, so those will be our focus this time around and both of us will give our takes. How's that for a bland introduction? On with the questions...

Q: Are they still in it? They play the A's and Rangers a lot this month.

Stevil: Yeah, they are--barely. But they're 6 games back of the division as of Sunday and 5.5 games back of a wild card. Houston's schedule is just as easy as Seattle's, so Seattle will be once again relying on other teams for help. Not looking good. 

Tommy: The bullpen doesn't have either of their set-up men and we're still seeing the same system for lineup selection that hasn't worked. I'm not holding my breath. 

Q: Is Jerry Dipoto going to be fired? Do you think he should be fired?

Stevil: I think he'll get another year, because ownership knows they handcuffed him further than anticipated on short-notice, but ownership will likely assess everything at the end of the season and make a decision. Fans can blame ownership all they want--and I certainly do--but even with financial restrictions, it's Jerry's job to ensure they can win with what they're given. Julio and Cal remain the only two successful hitters they've developed, they missed big last offseason on Haniger, Garver, and Polanco obviously wasn't great for the first four-plus months. He foolishly relied on Canzone for a regular role despite limited experience and no real success, and I'm not as high on most of the prospects as others are. So, yeah, I think it's time for a change, regardless of how this season ends. 

Tommy: I think so. Next year would be year 10, right? The team's window with this core rotation is limited. It's time to find someone who can construct a better offense while the window's still open. The leak that led to Servais learning he was fired before meeting with him shows a lack of control that concerns me as well. 

Q: Was firing Servais the right call?

Stevil: I was surprised it happened when it did. I expected it to happen in the offseason. I don't think it was wrong, but I didn't expect a 'spark'. They're still using the same analytical team churning out the same odd lineups with underwhelming players. They're now 5-4 under Wilson. 

Tommy: Yes, it was. They had to try something--anything. Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't, but they couldn't sit on their hands. 

Q: What's the main problem with the offense right now?

Stevil: Crawford not hitting and the reliance on too many players that shouldn't have regular, or even semi-regular, roles. Even Raleigh has been ice-cold lately. 

Tommy: The same problem they started the season with: A general lack of talent and players pressing to do too much. 

Q: If they don't make the playoffs, who will you blame?

Stevil: This will sound simple, but everyone is to blame. Ownership, the front office, management, and the players. It's kind of a domino effect. 

Tommy: Jerry. He's the epicenter. That doesn't mean other everyone else is innocent, but I think his analytical team that helped him construct this roster and how to use the players has been the biggest reason for what we're seeing. 

Q: What is your mood?

Stevil: In Portuguese, this means "How do you feel?". Speaking for myself, I'm disappointed, but not terribly surprised. 

Tommy: Frustrated. Blowing a 10-game lead and falling 6-games back is just inexcusable.