September Callups - Three burning questions for the Codgers

[Codgers]

With September call-ups upon us PEBA GMs will have a chance to add reinforcements to their rosters. For contenders, its the extra arm out of the bullpen or a bat off the bench but for many it is a tryout of sorts to check in on prospects and gauge their readiness for a role on the team for the 2040 season. Palm Springs falls into the latter, an opportunity for GM Rob Sullivan to start formulating off-season plans by using the final month of the season to evaluate internal options before opening up the check book or initiate trade talks.

As we head into September Palm Springs sits at 62-71, 9 games short of .500. Following three consecutive winning months the Codgers faltered in August going 13-15, disappointing after a seven game winning streak at the beginning of the month. The final week and a half of August saw the Codgers drop 8 out of 11 games ultimately let down by a non-existent offense which Sullivan tried to address at the trade deadline. As we head into September, here are three questions the Codgers will look at answer during the final stretch of the season:

Where does INF Javier Cervantes slot in?

Cervantes had a short stint on the main roster before the trade deadline. Adding Hyung-oo Chu at the deadline backburnered Cervantes audition and he was returned to AAA after six games. Chu is projected to be a fixture at shortstop for the foreseeable future, Benjamin Gentileschi has been solid and has the flexibility to play second or third base. Cervantes will be given every opportunity to take a starting job at second or third base where the pair of Manuel Jimenez, and Vasil Albers have resided in an average at best fashion all season. Albers is carrying a $8MM arbitration number while Jimenez was overpaid in the offseason to the tune of $13MM/year. GM Rob Sullivan has a simple philosophy, if you hit you dont sit. Can Cervantes hit well enough to allow the Codgers to move on from either Albers or Jimenez?

Is Edgardo Longoria a major league bat?

Longoria flashed plus power in AAA hitting 25 homeruns while hitting .280 with a .352 OBP. The Codgers desperately need power in the line up which lead to a revolving door of veteran pick ups. In his brief call up, Longoria struggled hitting .095 in 21 at bats. Not exactly the statement a rookie needs while trying to secure a roster spot. Longoria will be given ample at bats to determine is future in the organization. He will need to impress to supplant late waiver wire pickup Leonard Inman on the roster.

Who will be the 5th starter in the rotation?

The Codgers top three spots in the rotation are set for the long term. Takashi Yamamoto, James McCoy and Shigochiyo Yamaguchi have cemented their names at the top of the rotation. Rookie Nathan Comyn has exceeded expectations and secured the 4th spot in the rotation for 2040 throwing 159 innings with a 3.28 ERA and 1.16 WHiP with a 2.0 BB/9 walk rate. The Codgers have elected to go with a six man rotation down the stretch and have demoted incumbent  Brendon Cardenas to the bullpen. Four internal options will be given starts over the final month to see if anyone can seize the 5th spot in the rotation. Brent Haines, Ramon Morales and Hyun-seung Kim have all be solid in the bullpen but project as future starters. Recent call-up Sergio Melendres will also be given an opportunity to seize the job. The Codgers would like to add a lefthander starter to the rotation so while the quartet will be given a chance to seize a spot, one more more may be auditioning for other teams as part of a trade package.

For non-contenders, if the draft is the Super Bowl then September is the playoffs. It's an opportunity to see if your prized prospect is in fact a prized prospect or a shiny object that turns out to be fools gold. Palm Springs is hoping to find a couple gems to help with the rebuild whether on the active roster or as a trade piece.