moonslav59

Good point, and we have the infield depth covered three times over.

You never seem to ever find out.

That's how I see it, and I'm not sure I'm all in for a radical realignment, at this point. It looks good on paper, but the game is played on the field and in the minds of the players.

Good points. I wasn't aware of the elbow surgery. (Another example of how Cora & others know more than I do.) Perhaps Durbin starts at 2B and Mayer at 3B. I'm a fan of productive platoons, but I don't want to see this, assuming Romy is healthy: v R Mayer at 3B and Durbin at 2B v L Durbin at 3B and Romy at 2B Keep Durbin at one slot seems better, unless we feel Mayer is the better 3Bman and Durbin would be better at 2B.

Well said. Story's defense is not even close to the horrendous level Devers as at 3B. I'm okay with Story at SS, at least for one more year- see how he looks. When we had Bogey, we really didn't have many other SS options until we signed Story. Now, Cora has oddles of options on defense, including a couple GG winners, although Rodgers is not on the 40, yet. I doubt he uses any at SS, unless Story is resting or hurt. IMO, I think he likes to show his loyalty to his players by keeping them at positions they know and like. That is not necessarily a bad thing, unless the defense sucks or there is clearly a better choice, but even then, how valuable is it having the respect of your players? It's not an easy call to make.

While I did put my statement in quotations, I did not say anyone said it. I put it in quotations to emphasize the point about what position Mayer is likely most "ready to play." This was in response to this... I don’t think Cora thinks Mayer is ready, or proven enough at this point to be the FT shortstop. Maybe Cora is not ready to make him FT anything, yet. I get that. I've actually suggested he might be platooned with Romy at 2B. To me, SS is Mayer's natural and most played position. That alone is not enough to move Story to 2B. If he's not better than Story, then of course don't make the move. I happen to think Story's defense has slipped enough to think about moving him. BTW, all I said is good luck "trying to talk to Cora about it," as part of my long-standing position on Cora that we have often debated. I didn't even say I was 100% for the idea. It seems funny how you criticize Cora and others often, but when I do, and it's not about something you agree with you say things like... "You guys are always..." Like you are not? BTW, I have never even pretended to try and talk Cora into anything. I go out of my way to say he knows way more than me, and even if I disagree with him, I may not call him wrong. This is something you have never understood. But, it goes totally against the notion that I am trying to convince Cora to change his mind. I give my opinion, and sometimes it's not Cora's. I still think he is a great manager.

I think they asked for 2 from Mayer, Tolle & Early.

Agreed, and he probably won't hit .550 like DHam. Rodgers is great non 40 man depth, too. I like how Brez worked these last 2 days, despite not getting a big bat I hoped for. Who knows? Maybe Durbin outhits Paredes, Shaw and Hoerner. He could even outhit Breggie. Bregman's OPS from age 27-30: ,795 Durbin's OPS at age 25: .721 It's not that far-fetched. Maybe by 2027 or 2028 is more likely.

I hope you are right. Maybe I'm tainted by all Mayer's injuries and struggles vs LHPs through the minors. Maybe not. KMarte is a great hitter and decent defensive 2Bman. He's getting older, yes. He costs a lot, yes. The return package will be great, yes. I'd like our 3 year window with him. I'd like our 4-5 year window maybe more with Mayer & Early. The other deal, I'd do in a heartbeat.

Mayer has played more SS than any other position in his life. How is he "more ready" to play 3B or 2B? Story is in decline on defense. It's not an easy call to make, but we have our opinions. They have merit. Cora's opinion and reasons have merit, too. Now, cue your "world is black and white" reality and say how I keep disagreeing with Cora but he can still be right" retort. The world is one big grey place.

You have no problem criticizing Brez, Cora and JH, so obviously you'd do things differently, too. You just dont give specicifs. That way you can come back later and say.. "See...."

Of course I'm worried, but the guy is a top 10 bat and should have 2-3 good years left, His AAV is low due to defferements.

I'd be shocked, but I'd still do it.

Try talking Cora into that one.

Knowing the way season's go, if he was doing well for us, he'd have gotten a chance to start, but I still agree. it doesn't matter if he does well, as long as Durbin works out for us.

He hasnt been over 5 since 2019.

They did sound like they weren't sure about where Durbin would play most.

He does have experience there.

It won't need reporting.

Now that is a projection that rings true! 🤣

Report it?

How about Mayer, Crawford, Sandoval & Cespedes for K Marte?

By all the naysayers? I think not.

Pirates sign Ozuna for $10.5M/1 with $1.5M buyout on $16M year two. Essentially $12M/1 or $26.5M/2. Some mentioned him as the possible big RHB we need toDH, but his numbers really dropped off, last year at age 34. The Masa problem kept us from even talking about him.

With all the recent additions, the updates on the AAA roster have changed. Here is sps.com's new projected AAA roster: C: Thaiss, Delay, Seigler 1B: Hickey, Lloyd 2B: Rodgers, Sogard (DH) 3B: Romero, Capra SS: Cheng, McDonough LF: Campbell CF: B Ward RF: Eato, Frazier SP: Early, Tolle, Uberstine, Sikkema, Gamboa (AA: Bennett) RP: (Kelly) Samaniego Harriss, Berrios, Song, Sweet, Martinez, T Guerrero, Olds, K Keller, Nittoli