Colorado Springs Reflection on Thus-Far Mediocre Season

With a bulk of their block 3 games complete, the Marines hover just above .500 as they have much of the season. After last year's last place finish, fans have to be pleased with the progress they've made thus far, but the Marines have done little to make it appear as though they'll be championship caliber in 2010.

The GOOD

*Looking forward, the Marines' future continues to look bright. In addition to the core stars, the Marines have a plethora of potential filled players who will battle for keeper spots. Players like Mike Aviles, Blake Dewitt and John Buck, all late round draft picks, are having fine seasons and could be kept or moved.

*Notably, the controversial trade that saw the departure of Clay Buchholz and a pick has resulted in Daniel Bard, Placido Polanco and Ervin Santana (and, indirectly, Luke Gregerson), all of whom are having good to great seasons and look to be keepers.

*The Marines feature a 2011 rotation that looks sound without thinking about the draft (Felix, Lee, Liriano, Cueto, Santana), a bullpen that features 3 arms with a WHIP below 1.00 and K/9 of 9 or higher (Gregerson, Bard, Broxton), a lineup that has 4 everyday players with an OPS over .825 (none of which are older than 26), and two 1st round draft picks. The Marines should stay competitive in 2010, but the future is where the excitement will be for this team.

The BAD

*Some key pieces to the team's present have lagged behind thus far, notably 3rd starter Johnny Cueto (of the 9+ ERA), Hideki Matsui (OPS below .700!) and 2B Placido Polanco (.215/.270ish with a single-hand count of HRs). The Marines will need these underachievers to start producing if they are to get back in the pennant race.

*Some of the core players the Marines are counting on for 2011 are having unimpressive seasons. 1st overall pick Matt Wieters has gotten worse statistically with each month of the season; Matt Kemp has regressed in nearly every facet besides power; youngsters Travis Snider and Eric Young Jr. have been shelved for much of the season with injuries.

*Trading Josh Willingham for (effectively) Chris Tillman isn't looking so hot right now, but the Marines are far from giving up on Tillman's electric arm.

The FORTUNATE

*Parting with Jorge De La Rosa before his injury was fortunate, as there would be no way I could have gotten anything close to the 1st rounder I received for him now. The alternative pitcher to De La Rosa who was discussed in that trade, Johnny Cueto, is having a productive season.

*Cliff Lee has been simply brilliant since returning from injury. The trade that shipped Crawford and last year's 21st overall pick in exchange for Cliff Lee and what became a 1st rounder next year is looking beneficial for both teams.