moonslav59

How many times does he have to unintentionally deceive the fans, before he learns to watch his words and promises? It's not a lie if you say something you believe is true, even if it turns out to be false. I get that, but the fans have had to sit here and hear talk after talk that ends up being just that: talk and little action. He was pressed to say whether he felt Gray fit the #2 starter need, and he hemmed and hawed and suddenly became less specific. Call it whatever you want, and maybe I was too harsh, but this has gone on for years. I can't get The Smiths song out of my head... When you say it's gonna happen now Well, when exactly do you mean? See, I've already waited too long And all my hope is gone

I can't blame the team for not wanting to lose picks, but there are a few guys out there w/o QOs, if that is the stumbling block.

I was the doobie king in those years.

Then he wasn't too happy in 4 or 5 of the last 7 seasons.

Gio looked pretty durable when we signed him. It seems we are jinxed whether we sign healthy or injured pitchers.

Couldn't you also say they spent big money on Sandoval, so they "intended to start him" too? The Big O might be pen bound.

So we traded #19 Travieso, and I wonder if the two prospects we got back will be ranked. If PIT felt Tyler Samaniego needed Rule 5 protection, he must be decent. He did okay in AA. the last couple years, but 3 years at that level makes me wonder. Maybe he'll be slotted about 25th? We needed catcher depth on the farm, but Adonys Guzman is a far-away one. He was a fifth rounder in the '25 draft. That was between Mason White (39th) and C Foutch (46th). Maybe he's slotted 45th to 60th?

I'm not going to mention 65.

I'm fine with minor moves that are meant to improve the system. There is a long way to go. Right now, I am wondering why we traded from one logjam (ML ready OF'ers) to add to a different logjam (ML ready SP'ers.) I'm guessing further moves will be trading away pitchers. Even 4-5 SP'ers are in high demand.

Yes, and I just about said the same thing. Don't tell the fans something then not follow through or explain a change in plans. He may still get us a #2. (MN just said Ryan is staying in MN.) Then, no explaining is needed, but that's not the only priority stated to the fans. I've said this before: I'd rather they stay quiet than lie or decieve.

I'm not sure who is saying leave billionaires alone on this site. These teams are more like toys for some owners. Almost every owner could spend like crazy, and if they all did, at once, it wouldn't really matter if JH did or not.

Agreed. That's why I said he should explain he's still looking for a #2 and not talk like Gray is or might be, although he never claimed he was "that guy" he promised. I'd also like to know if he thinks signing Realmuto addresses the need for power.

In no way does Sandoval have a guaranteed slot in the 2026 rotation. The contract will likely be a waste, but we did feel the same way about Gio, this time last year, and he was paid twice what Sandoval is making. He has time to earn part or all of the $18M he signed for. BTW, his 4.01 ERA is a 108 ERA+, so saying he's "over a 4 ERA like it's something bad, is a bit deceptive, IMO. I'm not big on counting a young pitcher's first 2-3 years against him, but many like the career stat numbers more than I do. The injury throws everything up in the air for him, and my comment "inside track" was coupled with the statement "assuming everyone is healthy," which is a big unknown. There is also a good chance some of the pitchers I have below Sandoval look great and jump over him, even if he does okay in ST'ing. I look at his record from 2021 to 2024 and see better numbers than Crawford, Dobbins, Harrison and maybe even Bello. That's not to say he is better, now, but IMO the potential is there, because he has done it over a 460 IP sample size. 3.80 ERA (113 ERA+) 3.75 FIP despite a 4 BB/9 rate. His 91 ERA- ranks 32nd among all MLB pitchers with 450+ IP from '21 to '24. His FIP ranks 30th and his ERA 36th. That's pretty good. I'm not sure why you seem to have so little faith in him, when he's had better stretches than most others in the running for the 4 and 5 slots. I have Bello ahead of him, and his ERA (4.09) is worse and was 4.19 in 2025. He has a nice ERA+ of 123, but career it's 104. It's 106 over his last 480 IP. (FIP 4.30) Gray is 36 and had a 4.28 ERA in 2025. His ERA+ over his last 350 IP is 101. Apparently over 4.00 inot bad for some, so why no liking for PS? ERA+ 102 Crawford over last 313 IP 100 Dobbin in 61 career IP and coming off knee surgery 91 Harrison over last 195 IP This is who PS is most in competition with- maybe Tolle or Early break out of ST'ing in the rotation, and I'd love to see them win a slot, but I see Sandoval as the guy who has shown more skills than the others, as of now.

I thought there would be a trade.

There is still time to add a solid #2, but I do wonder why we added a #3 and #5, when it seemed like we had enough of those types. It does seem likely we won't be getting a number 2, unless the plan is to trade a couple of those #4's and 5's we loaded up on as part of the package- or trade them for bats.

That was a big reason it stayed illegal for so long. The Booze lobby is strong.

Then don't tell us you will get a #2, or when you get a guy like Gray or Oviedo, then explain that you pivoted away from the plan or are still going to get a #2. It would be easier to just stop making promises you know you might not keep. He could have just said, "We are going to try to get the best SP'er we can withing the larger plan of this winter's priorities." That would have covered Gray, but many would still complain he wasn't "good enough." At least it wouldn't

I think we have just one big trade in us. We could do two, but then we might start encroaching on the odds of future success by too much. My hope is that JH & Co do what it takes to fill the other big priority or priorities via free agency. I have my doubts there, so maybe 2 trades it is. Basically, I'm okay with no more pitcher additions, if we get two big bats, but of course, I'd love two big bats plus a co-ace.

That was my thought, all long. Now that we spent $21M on Gray and added another #3-5 SP'er, I have lowered that priority to third. 1. Mega RHB (1B, 3B or 2B- DH if Schwarber LHB only.) 2. Plus Bat (1B, 2B/3B, whichever #1 did not fill.) 3. #2 SP'er (closer to a #1 than a #3.) Secondary issues: LH'd RP, #2C, maybe Refsnyder if we trade an OF'er.

I woke up the echoes!

There is one indisputable fact: no poster on this site did more bong hits than I did from 1977-1981.

Hard to get the top quality on one year deals, and that has been a major issue for years. Story and Yoshida are the two FA contracts over 2 years in a long time. We have done a few 2 year deals, like Gio, Jansen, Martin & Sandoval. We need to break that mold, this winter and 2 or more times.

I could see a Duran, Harrison & Crawford deal for a solid #2 or a big bat like K Marte.

Fixed it for you.

Bongs are so out of fashion. Probably that nasty bong water had something to do with that.