What are the expectations of Colby Rasmus this season?

[Randle McMurphy]

Rasmus was fantastic in the first half (.800+ OPS) and beyond garbage in the 2nd half (and we're talking worse than Adam Lind type garbage). I'd take something between those extremes and I certainly think he's capable of that. He needs to find a way to not be so terrible offensively when he's not on one of his streaks.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

This year will obviously be the make it or break it season for Colby Rasmus. He's shown that he's not the guy we all wanted him to be. As long as he's not the focal point of the offense, Rasmus can put up some really good numbers.

As Randle said, you put his first half numbers when he was hitting in front of Bautista, compared to his numbers over the second half when Bautista was out.

This trade takes a lot of pressure off Rasmus, and as long as he's in the lower part of the order, I think he has a good shot at .265, 25 HR, 80 RBI.

[s e n s i]

not only seeing less fastballs without bautista was a detriment to his overall production, and i don't want to make excuses for him, but after his groin strain his numbers really took a dip and he never recovered. just kept getting worse and worse as the season went on (his OPS primarily). i wouldn't be surprised if he was playing injured much like romero was, but felt an obligation to compete due to the state of the team at the time. that being said, having an injured groin doesn't excuse god-awful pitch recognition, and you have to hope that issue is rectified somehow this season.

[dballislife]

.240+ avg and .320+ OBP is a good start