I think we have to be really careful depending on Woodruff to be anything like his normal self. I can see him coming back and not immediately being the guy we are counting on. Hopefully by midseason, he is able to have some semblance to his old self, but if we put too much stock in counting on him to be our ace again, I think there is a big chance for major disappointment. Front office HAS to have a plan other than a wish and a prayer! They need to address this rotation in the off season. Going into the 2025 season like we did in 2024 will be truly disappointing.
I am completely omitting Gasser from our plans, and hoping that he is fully back in 2026.
To me, Peralta is just a guy now. A good #3, but he is not our staff ace this year, in fact, he is our #3 behind both Rea and Myers. Hard to imagine saying that back in April, but that is what has transpired.
Hopefully our rotation looks something like this when we open the 2025 season: (I say hopefully, sincerely hoping that we add a legit frontline starter somehow, some way)
1. New starter
2. Peralta
3. Rea
4. Myers
5. Woodruff (I want nothing more than to be wrong about him)
6. Misiorowski added at some point in the first half.
We just can't hang our hat on guys like Civale, Keuchel, and Montas if we are serious about winning a pennant. These stopgaps and band aid moves just aren't going to get us there.