It’s certainly as good a timing as you can for a manger change if so desired. On the road for a week. They’re playing teams again that they could’ve beaten these last two, and did for CLE.
They couldn’t keep up with the Red Sox but games were close at some point.
They won’t fire a manager around Canada Day weekend.
It's as good as time as any. And get rid of Atkins. Let someone with fresh eyes evaluate the team for a month before the deadline. Then let them make the trades. I don't want Atkins anywhere near trying to get any value from this lifeless corpse of a roster.
As mentioned back when, Atkins won't go anywhere mid season.
The plan would be to get a new manager bump from now until the all star break at least, and see if they are within striking range of the WC within a week or two post all star break and trade deadline.
They won't be a buyer or a seller IMO outside of a 15 game winning streak or losing streak, and rather just play some of the younger guys as is already happening if they fall out of the race even further.
Atkins will then get the punt, very strategically, by Shapiro (who hasn't spoken all season, has he?) come the time it's clear they aren't making the playoffs or day after the season ends of they don't make the playoffs, and, IMO, win a round.
The problem with bringing in someone from the outside, is their first trade would be dealing Bo or Vlad. From a marketing perspective it's a tough sell to their fanbase, though those are the few limited options for getting value back (for the batters). So I hate to say it, but perhaps Atkins gets one last kick at the can do deal those guys and collect assets for the colossal #### up he's done over the years to get the roster to this point. What a cluster####.
Even Shulman didn't sound too enthusiastic these past weeks in having to tow the company line on the eventual return Rodriguez. Now that's he's in and got shelled, well, I can already here the excuses post game from Schenider.
Only positive now for tonight is we get to likely see a outfield player pitch. Maybe it will be Springer, Schenider has said he's going to break out any day now, maybe it's on the mound?
