Summary
Meh. It feels like they Stars have underperformed all year, yet they set basically at .500, although with little chance to catch the Black Yankees in the Effa Manley Division.
If you believe that numbers don’t lie, the Stars should be in selling mode, as they rank in the bottom 25% in most categories.
What’s Gone Right
Setups. Ron Reed and Rheal Cormier have been spectacular out of the pen for the stars, with Reed probably the most effective reliever in the league.
The Outfield. Willie Davis has been fantastic in CF, and George Hendrick, Gavvy Cravath, and Rico Carty have been good around him. Cravath and Carty (and solid contributor Buck Freeman) are in their mid-30’s and may be attractive trade bait.
Rolen Along. The decision to trade Mike Schmidt in the preseason cleared the way for Scott Rolen, a decision that looks good right now, with Rolen posting an OPS in the mid .800s with great defense at 3B.
What’s Gone Wrong
The Final Two. The number 4 and 5 starters have been miserable all year. John Montgomery Ward has shown signs of turning it around, but Larry Jackson is really just a shot in the dark after the failures of Don Carman and, most disappointingly, Robin Roberts.
Catching. Bill Dickey was supposed to be the answer behind the plate. He’s at AAA now, and Sherm Lollar is barely acceptable as the full-time backstop.
MI, Oh My. Chase Utley at 2B has been in a mammoth slump, putting his position in doubt. Over at SS, it’s just not possible to field well enough to justify Mickey Doolin‘s offense, and Jimmy Rollins has been even worse as a potential replacement.
Key Storylines
This team is likely to look quite different after the early trades, so the storylines are likely to shift as well. But the pieces–Davis, Hendrick, Cravath, Rolen–are there.
Trading Outlook
SELLING.
This is more because the team feels like it wants a shakeup and there are enough veterans they could get some good talent in return. Just at the big league level, they could be looking to move Carty, Cravath, Cormier, Ron Reed, and Bob Howry.
AAA Shuttle
José Ramírez has done well since his callup, so that’s something. Dickey, Gene Demontreville, and Al Smith have all been sent down, with others to follow soon.
Midseason Changes
Larry Jackson moves into the rotation. OF Sherry Magee and IF Jimmy Rollins head to AAA with Roger Peckinpaugh coming all the way from AA.
Awards
All Stars: Ron Reed (P); Scott Rolen (3B).
Offensive MVP: Willie Davis (CF)
Pitching MVP: Ron Reed (RP)
Down on the Farm
AAA: Norfolk Tides
Next to the Show: RPs Claude Jonnard & Minnie Rojas, 1B Cecil Cooper, OF Aaron Judge, 3B Pinky Whitney
Prospects: OF Bobby Abreu (24)
Projects: 1B Cecil Cooper (31), OF Aaron Judge (26)
Suspects: P Tim Belcher (27), SS Johnny Mitchell (27), P Bronson Arroyo (31).
AA: Atlantic City Bacharach Giants
Prospects: P Ron Tompkins (20), P Scott Garrelts (22), 1B Prince Fielder (21), OF Richie Ashburn (21), SS Roger Peckinpaugh (22)
Projects: C Tom Egan (20).
Suspects: P Pete Mikkelsen (29), OF Earl McNeely (28)