Rick Forney has done a nice job in putting together a second-place baseball team but the moves he makes or doesn't make over the next week could greatly influence what becomes of his Winnipeg Goldeyes.
The Goldeyes went into Wednesday night's game with the Kansas City T-Bones tied with their guests for second place, owning identical records of 31-28. (The game was in progress at press time. Please see our online edition at www.winnipegfreepress.com for a final score) Both clubs are looking up at the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (36-23).
With the Northern League roster freeze of Aug. 5 rapidly approaching, Forney and T-Bones skip Andy McCauley will have decisions to make and deals to ponder as they attempt to improve their rosters.
Forney was coy when asked what he would like to find under an imaginary Christmas tree, saying there were a few areas he'd like to be better in but then adding, "Maybe I'll just stand pat. I like my team."
Here's a review of the moves Forney has made this season that we've liked and a couple we'd still like to see:
1. Maintaining Max
Shortstop Max Poulin gained veteran status over the off-season and with each club only allowed to carry four in the classification, Forney wrestled with spending such a spot on a sometimes light-hitting shortstop. Poulin is still the best defensive shortstop in this league and he's hitting .290 with five homers and 24 RBI mostly out of the No. 9 hole. Forney made the right decision.
2. Life with Lentini
Centre-fielder Fehlandt Lentini is still among the best in this league and is always an offensive threat. Lentini covers lots of ground in centre and is hitting a solid .341 with seven homers and 29 RBI making him a premier leadoff man at this level.
3. Discovering Demetrious
Outfielder Demetrious Heath has been a wonderful in-season pickup. He's played for the name on the front of the jersey and been a solid citizen away from the park. He came with some baggage but seems to have decided to check it rather than bring it on to the good ship Goldeye as carry-on. Batting .307 with 20 stolen bases and a smile on his face more often than not - Heath is becoming a fan favourite.
4. Chasing Chad
Forney recovered from the loss of MVP Brent Metheny by trading to the Atlantic League for Chad Ehrnsberger and he's come in and hit .310 with one homer and six RBI. He's played solid third base and still has lots more to give. If he gets hot -- look out.
5. Beckoning Beuning
Forney calls this move a no-brainer, but retaining reliever Brian Beuning may have been his best move. The right-hander has been the best reliever in the league this season and has done a little bit of everything.
Long relief, middle relief, closing, pitching on back-to-back days and giving Forney a strong arm to lean on in key situations. Beuning has a 1.71 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 18 walks in 58 innings pitched.
6. A little help on the mound
Is there an ace in this hand? Not to our liking. The Goldeyes don't have what managers call a 'stopper.'
A guy who after two or three losses in a row takes the hill and makes sure the skid ends there with a complete game shutout or the like. They're hard to find but the Goldeyes have almost always had that type in their rotation -- think Bobby Madritsch, Jeff Zimmerman, Rod Pedraza and last but not least Forney himself.
7. Two more for the road
We're not sold on the duo of Jason Sherrer and Jeff DeSmidt, who have been splitting the catching duties. Both are young and raw and at this stage are more suited to a backup role. But catchers have been tough to find this season and grabbing one at this stage is unlikely.
There's also a need for another reliever. Beuning, Ryan Arial and Dustin Pease have been solid but the inconsistency haunts the rest of this group.
With the club a little thin in the starting rotation a sturdy bullpen is a must. Forney would love to land an experienced arm who can handle tense situations.
gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca
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