How can we keep Arroyo in the lineup at 2nd in 2021 and still bring up Downs, assuming Downs continues to progress? Is it possible that we could move one of them to fill in at one of our weaker positions. Outfield or maybe 1st base if Dalbec continues to struggle?
We are also weak at DH unless JDM can bounce back but that is not a place for a young player.
Being creative such as moving Devers to first and Downs to third occurs to me but that may be something Devers doesn't want and we need to keep him happy. That kind of leaves the OF as a possibility. and we have several candidates for those spots plus we may well go outside the organization for an impact player or keep JBJ.
Downs has zero chance of coming up this year and my bet is, even if he is tearing the cover off the ball, you wont see him til May. They're playing the service time with a tweener MLB player in Pivetta, they will absolutely do the same for their top prospect
Hal sucks
If Arroyo is doing well enough to hold onto the 2B position, we simply hold off bringing Downs up. It's not like he's banging on the door by hitting .850 in AAA. (Also, let's not jump the gun, here. Arroyo has 35 PAs, this year. That's a teenie-tiny sample size. He had a .622 OPS in his 250 previous ML PAs)
Even if we do bring Downs up mid-season 2021, there should be plenty of chances for him to get some playing time without moving everyone around to different positions. Arroyo has experience at 3B and SS. He could fill-in there a few times, while Downs plays 2B. Downs can also back up SS.
I don't see us moving Devers to 1B, even though I liked the idea a couple years ago.
We also have to think of Bogey opting out. Downs or Arroyo may be in the mix, there, too.
If we end up with an IF logjam, it will be a nice problem to have to deal with, and trading one could help us fill a need elsewhere.
When you say it's gonna happen now
When exactly do you mean?
Arroyo has proven that he is not a starter at the big league level
Downs might be one of the better prospects, but he should have ZERO impact on decisions made about the 2021 team. He's an A-ball middle infielder. Teams do not build around A-ball players. The Nationals had both Juan Soto and Victor Robles in A-ball, and that did not stop them from acquiring Adam Eaton. Teams can make these kinds of depth problems work out.
Now if Arroyo or Munoz can earn the 2B position, great. But by no means should either be given the role so Downs can take over in 2023 with a clear path. By the time Downs get to the majors, he might not even be a 2B or SS any more. (Remember our last good 2B prospect. Some guys named Betts.)
You know I've always respected you, but come on. The kid is 25 and has less than 300 career PAs at the ML level. Surely, not much can be "proven" in that short a sample size.
His minor league numbers are pretty good, but they are also small sample sizes:
AAA: .846 OPS in 418 PAs
AA: .689 in 517 PAs
A+: .789 in 416 PAs
.775 in 1952 minor league PAs total.
When you say it's gonna happen now
When exactly do you mean?