moonslav59

Yes. One could argue that was the major difference about 2021. What we did that deadline (and afterwards with the Iggy & Shaw additions.)

True. One could argue we just needed Sale and Erod to play a full 60 game season. We did not have much depth, though, as we found out. That was what I was focusing on with my point about this roster construction. (2024 was better than '22-'23, too.)

We could do well without everything going right, but I agree, we will need "a lot" going right. I have seen an uptick in the amount of players on the roster where we can legitimately have some hope of "things going right" than from 2020 to 2023, and that may include 2021 (on paper the winter beforehand.) If Crochet, Buehler or Houck struggle or get hurt, we have more choices of somewhat promising replacements in Gio, bello, Crawford and then Fitts, Priester, Criswell and maybe even Dobbins. The pen has a mess of question marks, but there may be 15-17 pitchers with some sort of decent promise or history. If Story gets hurt, I feel better about Rafaela, Mayer and Romy than I did with others, over the past 2-3 years. If an OF'er gets hurt or declines, we have several options that look better than past years. 2B has so many wishful thinking players, it's hard to keep track. This position has been god-awful for a couple years and not-so great for 3-4 years before that. I know we'd all rather have one known, great 2Bman, and having 5 mediocre players can be viewed as no better than having 1 fully healthy mediocre 2Bman. I get that, but my point is, if some of the guys we think we need to do great do not, we may find someone else who surprises us, of just repeats what they have done in years past. We do need Devers and Casas, IMO. We don't have anyone to take their place and role. Our catcher position is the exception to my depth point. There is not hope in anyone beyond Wongand Narvaez, and with those tow, my hopes are not very high.

One weird thing I noticed is that the off season before 2021 did not look any better than before 2022 and 2023.

So, what Cora says can't always be taken at face value.

Maybe. I don't know. Maybe this is how he felt all along, elbow barking or not. I don't get why what I said is causing such a commotion.

The post I replied to said "Crochet and Anthony sound like they won't extend" I felt it was implied I was talking about the players, and the main reason they might want to extend is worry about a major injury in 2025 lowering their value. True, maybe ownership may not want to extend out of fear of an injury, too, but I was replying to the player comment.

I think someone will. I wonder how many from Anthony, Campbell and Mayer graduate from the list. Players who could be in the EOY Top 100: Arias, Perales, Cespedes, Valera Maybe Romero, Bleis, Jh and Jo Garcia. Longer shots: Early, Tolle, Sandlin, Reyes or Gonzales

Why not "hope" the others do, too? (Without rushing them.)

How is what I said "backwards?" I just mentioned that injury may be the only reason pushing them to sign, and it may not be a big enough issue to override their desire to not sign, this year.

No, not at all. I'm not sure how much they want to extend them, and JH & his wallet may be the issue, and not the wishes of Brez & Co.

To me, it seems like most prospects who start out as SSs, but aren't good enough to stick there move to 2B, but maybe OF will be his landing spot. His bat certainly looks like his "moneymaker."

Can't say that I blame them. Their biggest worry may be injury.

The A's just locked up Lawrence Butler to $65.5M/7. He was not going to reach free agency until 2029, so the A's got way out in front of this guy. There is a club option for 2032. Will the Sox extend any or their younger players, soon? How about Crochet?

Calm is my middle name.

Toro, Toro, Toro! (Note: not meant as "hype" in any way.)

$95M AAV?

I try not to say "it bothers you."

You call it "hype." Fine. I have not been saying KC, mayer or Anthony have earned a slot on the 26 or 40, yet. I've been talking about the idea of MAYBE starting the season with a DHam-Romy platoon at 2B- you know, the plan you have roundly criticized over and over. Yes, I get very optimistic about prospects and players that do well, like many fans do. I totally understand the position that they are in many ways "suspects" until they prove something, but in some ways, many vets are "suspect" in one way or another, too. I'm sorry that Campbell has been crammed down your throat. I hope it hasn't interfered with your breathing. I'm not counting on him or any of the big three to win an opening day roster spot. That, in itself shows I'm not over-hyping KC. There are several poster who do think the kids need to be given starting roles.

We all know that words have alternative meanings to you, but I fail to see where you agreed with MVP first, or what the "first" means or has to do with this. Here is your complete reply to the post about MVP you replied to me about: "I know what he did last year, but he hasn’t made the 26, or appeared in a MLB game yet. I’m just waiting to see him perform in the Big Show, and produces before I anoint him anything. I’m not questioning anything except seeing it at the MLB level." Tell me the words you used that show you "agreed."

...and sometimes a full ST'ing isn't a big enough sample size to decide on one guy over another.

I agree, and I trust Brez & Co to know when to call up these guys. Unless there is a major injury, or someone is stinking up the place, I don't see a major urgency. Of course, some could argue, why wait for DHam to stink up the place and just give the more promising Campbell (or Mayer) the shot on day one, and they have a point. I can see both sides of the debate, and am not sure there is a clear answer. To me, the added year of team control, for a cheap owner like ours, might end up tipping the balance to waiting on the kids. It's not a terribly long wait, and it's not like DHam/Romy, Duran-Rafaela-Abreu/Ref and others have not shown enough skills and promise to also deserve a slot on the 26 and playing time. (I did not list Grissom, on purpose. He needs to prove himself, first. IMO, he does not have a case against the kids or the others listed. These kids will get their chance, when they are ready and the need is great enough.

I wasn't hyping him, but you implied I was, along with Mayor Mayer and Sleeping Giant Bregman. He was the minor league player of the year. There is reason the media "hyped" him, and whether the term "hype" is appropriate. When you see the list MVP provides of past winners, maybe they are underselling KC. MAYBE.

I hopes these guys have the guts to get over this internal turmoil.

I don't really see those as reasons to not trade Devers. I doubt it would affect anyone signings and extension. I'm not sure it would make any FA give it a thought. Most go for the money of the best opportunity for them. Devers is our go to guy. He has been big in big moments. He was on his way to his best career year and hurt his shoulder. I doubt this injury ends his career, or he never gets back to top form. This line-up is not good without him. That's why we should not trade him. That being said, what would we get back? (I'm not counting on the salary relief being spent by JH.)