I was pretty surprised we got someone as promising and MLB ready as Grissom, but paying most of Sale's remaining contract evened the deal out for ATL. The fact that ATL has a SS and 2Bman made it easier for them to make this offer.
It took awhile for this deal to good, to me, but I like the idea of 5 years of Grissom for one year of Sale on a team destined for another season missing the playoffs. I realize, it didn't need to be this way, but I can't change the fact that it is what it is.
Maybe Grissom fizzle like Jeter Downs. That would really suck, but even if Sale has a good year, it probably wouldn't have mattered. Also, we were never going to extend Sale, so this isn't like losing 3 years of Chris Freakin' Sale.
I was a huge Sale fan. It sucks it ended like this. I have to admit, I got fed up with the annual Sale hope and dream dashing. In what seems like a lost season, it makes sense to get highly promising players for players that are not in our long term plans.
So, this leads me to think, what can we get for Pivetta? Martin? Jansen, when healthy? O'Neill, at the deadline, if healthy? Maybe even something worthwhile for McGuire or Refsnyder and anyone else about to get squeezed by rising propsects.
When you say it's gonna happen now
When exactly do you mean?
This might be the most intriguing subplot of the season -- who will be traded and when? Obviously, the front office has factors to consider: keep as much talent together as possible early, in deference to fan interest... but also, optimize any and all trade chips while players are healthy and show potential to help contenders. Not dealing Paxton last July after he was Pitcher of the Month -- and before he broke down again (like many predicted) -- is not the way to rebuild...
Breslow can't wait until midnight August 1 to act, thinking he'll get better prospects in some bidding trade war. There will be clubs willing to deal in June to get a jump on competitors.
Over-Under right now is 75 wins -- a 75-87 record would equal 2020's 12-games-under-.500 season... but not its .400 winning percentage; that would closer to 65 wins.