Agree. The pitching strongly improved, which covered for the hitting decline. I believe this was an 80 win team, somewhere around .500. The catching position killed them, the FO was right to want to upgrade preseason. When you have to go sign an out of work FA as your #5 to go with your #4 who is a minor leaguer to cover for several weeks in the middle of the season - you've got problems. Which made the pitching even more important and impressive. No Scooter production, minimal help from Winker, Senzel going under the knife, Votto having a poor year with more back issues, etc.
I still prefer a quality CF so they can move Senzel to 2B. VanMeter can backup 2B and play corner OF part of the time. That scenario has so much more upside IMO. But they may choose to go big and upgrade catching, so who can blame them? Winker has not made it through either season without serious injury and cannot hit lefties. Aquino was an unexpected boost. If they keep only one corner OF outside of Aquino, I hope it is Ervin. By all means sign J-Iggy. They will probably choose to keep Senzel in CF and use Galvis at 2B since they have a team option with him for 2020.
Agree on the pen. IMO, the needs are lefties in the pen, catching upgrade, and a productive bat in the OF. Wants are something different altogether. But if they handle the needs, the playoffs could be in the picture.
