I guess it's a partial indictment of the GM in that he put together a 40-man roster that is neither good enough nor deep enough but a lot of that is because of all the relievers, and they've needed every single one, as well as the young starters (ditto). It's not like last year at all. How many teams can lose 25% of their starting 8 (and functionally a third player in Franco) and not hit a bump. How many teams have four bench players who are good enough to start? Luckily we have one. Quinn could be if he's healthy. Williams unfortunately was not.
Ironically, everyone who needs to get swept out now are the remaining non-Klentak players: Herrera, Franco,Williams, Quinn if he can't stay healthy, possibly Hernandez if they don't want to just lose him for nothing next year, Knapp.
What feels like a lack of spark is usually just about talent or execution. It does feel like last year yeah, but it's June not August. Last year people thought the trade deadline hurt the chemistry (whatever, but it didn't make the team better). This year they'll have the chance to do it right.
Last year was also almost entirely about pitching, the offense was never good. This year it still could be (and the pitching could get better).
Bad as it has been we'd still be a wild card team today (a half game behind Milwaukee, in the win column. Milwaukee is 3-7 in their last 10 btw, we're 2-8. Both .500 teams Pythagorean-wise now).
