Quote:
Originally Posted by dfs
That's exactly right. I see no reason to believe they've turned the corner.
You're wishcasting on Hannigan and Dickerson. I think it's more likely that one of them never sees 500 at bats in a major league season than they turn into valuable regulars.
I can accept the starting pitching is an asset, but it does get hurt and it is volatile. Could what they have go through the roof? Sure it could. But it can also crash and burn which means your counting on Ramerez, Livingston or Maloney.
Last years' bullpen was an asset, but it's gone. 3 guys who each gave you 70 good innings (Affeldt,Weathers and Lincoln) will not be back. Essentially, they have to reform the whole bullpen. Bray and Burton have been hurt for sections of the last two seasons and it's entirely likely that Nick Masset matches his lifetime era of 5 instead of the small sample he put up at the end of the year.
I hate to bring up the spectre's of Austin Kearns and Wily Mo Pena, but sometimes young players don't take steps forward. Sometimes they get hurt or regress for other reasons.
There is some talent in the organization, but it's thin and not broad based. There are several pieces of the puzzle that you can squint at and pretend you have a solution, but the whole is not in place yet. At this point shopping for a high priced left fielder makes less sense than getting Cordero did last off season. Will it help you? Sure, but no where near as much as other moves could.
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I agree with you for the most part. But i'd also say that Walt himself has stated the desire to add more than just a big run producer. His intentions are to address our weaknesses in all spots if at all possible, or at least that was what he stated. I think that is something that people are glossing over a bit. They assume he won't be able to do so with the resources on hand and I don't agree. I don't believe he will make us an instant world series contender on paper but I don't think he has to either, just a real contender for the division or w/c will be enough IMO. And I feel he can do that bye simply making 3-4 solid but not necc. spectacular moves. And then he can again tweek it next off-season to acquire that 1 big bat or arm that puts us over the top.