I read a lot about how the roster needs to improve a great deal to compete. But as I view it over the past month the teams appears to be holding its own and I was trying to figure out what has changed since that first terrible month of the season. Well, actually quite a bit. Is it a championship contender? Probably not but it's better than Opening Day. Let's look at the changes:
Travis Ishikawa - Out
Ike Davis - In
This has actually been somewhat significant of an improvement. The Pirates have not been forced to over-use Gaby Sanchez like at times in 2013 and the results have shown all around at 1st.
Jose Tabata and Travis Snider - Out
Gregory Polanco and Josh Harrison - In
One of Snider and Tabata will remain as the 5th OF and Harrison might not be able to keep up his current pace but I think everyone would have to agree Polanco/Harrison are a better 3rd/4th OF combo than we saw on opening day.
Those two offensive moves left only one offensive position really lacking... Now for pitching:
Wandy Rodriguez - Out
Anyone Else - In
So far "Anyone Else" hasn't been that good but lots of options and even a decent 5th starter would improve what we saw in April.
Bryan Morris - Out
Jared Hughes - In
Hughes has looked pretty good stranding runners and while I liked Morris he clearly wasn't getting the job done.
Injured Grilli - Out
Healthy Grilli - In
I hope this one continues because he's looked much better than pre-DL trip.
None of these moves were groundbreaking but all have slightly improved the team. Keep making adjustments and moving over .500 and Wild Card spots are within reach. Now take advantage of the weak part of the schedule... that's what good teams do. If they don't then I'm sure it would take more than a few minor tweaks to keep this team on the right track all year.
