After another soul-crushing post-season appearance, I actually have a few positive feelings. They were able to put together an elite pitching staff, and that has eluded the organization throughout its history. And if they can do that, they can develop an offense to match. They need to kick acquisitions to the next level. Instead of solid major leaguers coming off a down year, like Castellanos and Moustakis, they need to seal the deal on a bonafide star or two, like Realmuto and Ocuna and even, dare to dream, Lindor. As far as coaching, they need to understand how the shift has disrupted advanced stats like BABIP and how the pitchers have adjusted to the elevate and celebrate launch angle homers. But the team that learns to beat the shift will be the new Moneyball.
It won’t be easy with the funk surrounding the team right now, but the hardest part is done: building a great pitching staff. Bauer’s not likely to be back, though you never know with that guy, but without the franchise’s first (potential) Cy Young winner, the staff will be merely very, very good.