Rusty_Kuntz

Just my opinion, obviously, but he doesn't really have the pitch recognition ability to excel at the MLB level. He's never hit righties well, and he clearly has no command of the zone. His ability to react to breaking balls just isn't there. This happens to many players, the extent of their physical ability (fast twitch, hand eye ability) isn't good enough. Add in that he lacks the leverage to drive the ball consistently with launch angle when he does get something he can handle, and you have a below average hitter. I saw him play a couple times at single A, and even though he has a couple well struck balls I was nervous about him then. He didn't stand out in any way, struck out a couple times, didn't hammer hitter's pitches consistently. It's a shame, the first thing is something it's very difficult to scout for, something like the processing ability of a QB going up levels. But Vaughn also just isn't really an athlete, and athletes are going to have a better chance to adapt.

Why would a team give up assets for someone who they may not be able to play, or play effectively, at the trade deadline this year if they can get someone who will be? Most teams make deadline acquisitions for a playoff run. Crochet really doesn't fit that bill even if he can give a start or two here or there. That's not really what teams are looking for at that point. That said if he has a successful and healthy 100 or so innings this year, he should be quite valuable moving forward this offseason or next year.

None of them have any trade value past maybe a flier for Fedde. Crochet probably will for the long term but he's not going to hold any value for this year because he's going to have to be shut down.

68

Was my favorite acquisition last year. Happy to see he's putting it together thus far.

Cominsky Park, to reflect proper South Side pronunciation.

If they do this I'd like something modeled on Old Comiskey, but that has no upper deck in LF to offer a view of downtown. Even if it isn't the best view, having the city present will be a draw.

I know, I wrote that. Was agreeing with you premise.

I agree with your overall point but Baltimore (Memorial Stadium), Pittsburgh (Three Rivers) Cincinnati (Riverfront), Philly (Veterans), Detroit (Tigers Stadium), and Cleveland (Municipal) were all in the city and in three the new park was built in almost the same location as the old park. Unless you meant they abandoned plans for suburban parks? Either way, I think that reiterates your point even more: baseball has largely always been played in denser urban locations and it remains easily the dominant landscape for it today.

It did, but of course he's young, and his numbers were clearly better after the trade than before it.

Surprised Quero dropped, he played well after being traded.

I didn't put them in order, he'd probably be #4. I doubt he isn't with them this season but I suppose it's possible. Tough to give up a dude who made 31 starts and pitched 170 innings in this era.

I love Crawford. And I'm not so sure he can't develop power, he's barely a college freshman's age. Either way, he's got all the other tools. I think Abel and Crawford plus another strong piece would be great. Painter and Crawford would be great too.