Winn won’t go back to AAA because there’s nothing for him to go back to. He’s learned that level so to continue his growth, he has to do it at the major league level. His bat will take time to adjust and that’s the bullet we’ll have to bite. You always have guys on the way up and guys on the way down – which is often dictated by Father Time.
Edman really is the best option for CF because of his instincts and the amount of ground he covers. That helps make Noot and Walker be better. I think in a vacuum that Carlson is equal to Edman overall as a CF (or at least really close), but Edman fits the team needs better because of the extra ground he can cover even if Carlson’s bat could be a bit better.
Walker can’t be the DH only option because we need that for Contreras while he splits time with Herrera. Contreras is too good of a hitter to take his bat out of the lineup. And when Contreras is catching, it allows Gorman or Baker or Burleson to DH. Walker has to make it in RF. He has both the arm and the legs to be a very good right fielder. He just needs more reps. He’s working on that over the offseason. Like Winn, he’s on the way up.
I agree with using Donovan all over the place to provide off days for everyone. Donovan should play nearly every day. He’ll just have to do each day in a new position. He’s the perfect guy to do just that.
So Carlson and O’Neill become the odd man out. O’Neill will be traded. I thought Carlson would also be dealt, but it sure looks like they’ll keep him as insurance which may be smart. Burleson could easily be dealt unless the team decides he’s the heir to Goldschmidt. But we could also give that job to Gorman or Walker or Baker or even Contreras. Therefore, it would be best to trade Burleson if they can find a team that values his bat. If that happens, then someone like Siani would be a perfect man for a final roster spot because he can pinch run or be a late game defensive replacement and we don’t have to worry about feeding him at bats because he can’t hit anyway. Plus, that would clear the way for Scott to play CF every day in Memphis. That leaves a bench of Carlson, Siani, Herrera, Baker, and whomever Donovan is subbing for that day with some combo of Contreras (when not catching)and Baker plus others serving as DH if indeed Burleson is dealt.