I'm not terribly worried about Rutschman, but we're forced to trot out guys like Emmanuel Rivera, and we're forced to let Holliday learn on the job despite the fact that he's struggling horribly right now. Going from Westburg/Mateo/Mountcastle/Urias to Holliday/Livan Soto/Emmanuel Rivera/Nick Maton is such a huge blow. And Eloy Jimenez and O'Hearn are being exposed in full time duty due to all the injuries.
And I think it's good that Holliday's getting MLB plate appearances, but he should have been getting them with guys like Urias able to spell him against tough lefties. Instead we're stuck with him and teams bring in a lefty reliever to pitch to him in tough spots and he flails like a blind squirrel up there because he's 20 and doesn't know how to deal with elite lefty specialists.
Mayo's also hitting .094, incl. two singles in 15 ABs since being recalled. Holliday has also been worse than O'Hearn and Jiminez and Slater have cooled off. Lots of problems in the lineup and scapegoating O'Hearn is not a solution.
Not only that but when we were healthy Hyde had some actual bench guys that could pinch hit. Urias was on the bench when Mateo and Westburg were starting. O’Hearn was a possibility sometimes or Austin Hayes, or Kjerstadt or Norby. Now we have to pinch hit with Soto, Slater, Mayo, Maton. The injuries and trades have hurt the depth of the team.
The only way there is a coaching search is if Hyde says I need a break from this stress. He looks like he has gained 10 years the last few months watching this team.
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