Right now, we are close enough if good enough. I wasn't in my wildest dreams that we'd be in this position and I'm sure as Helen Keller not going to let it pass without doing whatever I can - within reason - to push for another run at the playoffs and perhaps win it all.
So I make this trade:
TRADE 2 OF 3 (07/18/24)
IF Newt Allen, P Cliff Bell and P Reggie Richter traded to Brooklyn for IF Specs Toporcer.
Newt was becoming more and more an "all-glove / no-bat" type and I just didn't see that turning around. With Lundy, Moore and Gerber we already have 3 guys who are more defence- then offence-heavy and we're just carrying too much dead weight in this regard. The lads have been fantastic but the effort is beginning to tell.
I've already mentioned Reggie's problems this season and offloading him now rather than just releasing him at the end of the season at least realises some value.
Cliff is just a notch under MLB-quality and we're well stocked with those types as well.
For all of this we get a quality bat who is also very good defensively. Specs plays 2B / 3B / SS and improves us no end. He's also under team control another couple years.
A good move for our club, both now and moving forward.