Some random thoughts....
The trendy idea that strike-outs are no big deal is silly. It's an out. At the least you lost 33.3% of your chances to continue the inning. BUT the number of times a player K's needs to be ballenced against his overall production. Adam Dunn strikes out...I don't care too much in light of his run, home run and RBI production. Jason LaRue strikes out and I'm far less forgiving, just the same as if he flyed out or ground out.
Players over 30 are not useless and don't turn into a pumpkin when the clock strikes 12:00 as some try to imply. When used properally they can add much to a team in production (Aurila, Rich) or experience to pass along to others (Merker, Kent). BUT players skills diminish with age. It's a fact of life. There are some outliers (Ryan, Nolen) but mostly you better keep a sharp eye on guys as they reach 35 and don't count on them forever (Clayton, Royce). Don't hang on to the past.
Fuzzy Clubhouse stuff is a valuable skill. In any orginization you have to be able to manage people, keep them happy, and keep them focused on the common goal. Juggling an ever changing roster is a skill that is needed. BUT let's not get silly about it. Just like any manager, strength in one skill-set does not make a manager good. There's a lot more to the task of being a manager than one skill whether it be line up, running the pitching staff, in game management, clubhouse stuff, etc.
Having "potential" doesn't garentee success at the MLB level. Every orginization has guys with "potential". How many of them actually make it to "the show" and contribuite? Let's not get wacky because a guy once had "potential". Must guys with "potential" end up with another label after a while. It's called, "in a new line of work". BUT, when do you get a guy with potential, real solid potential you better guard it with your life. Develop the guy methodically and with purpose. All it takes is for one guy with real potential to break onto the sceen to really improve your entire team. Value potential.
Sometimes I think this stuff gets lost in the arguments, debates and polerized positions.
