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Agree with you completely on McDougal.

The pitching matchups and going against the team with the best home record in all of baseball will make this an incredibly tough series. I’d be fine with taking one game.

If I'm giving up someone like Carlson I like this approach far more then the Detmers type of moves. Presuming no one thinks Webb is due for a longer-term regression (ie is his stuff declining). Also make sure he profiles okay at the Rate vs. Oracle.

Schultz clearly has shown sustained periods (in the minors) of elite stuff, with inconsistent mechanics and command. He also is very lengthy which can make repeatability a bit of a challenge early in their careers. These are the exact type of individuals you do not give up on. He's still 22 year's old and has 6 more years of control as well. I would not be surprised if he was one of the better LHP's in all of baseball for a good chunk of that time. Hagen Smith is a bit different, as his sustained periods of elite stuff has been a little more mixed as he really exploded in his final college season and then has flashed it at times in the minors, but with a bit less consistency as he's worked through mechanical issues. I have less conviction here than I do with Noah, but I am still pretty convinced worse case you are talking about a guy who is an elite set-up man and best case he has what it takes to be a front of the rotation pitcher (ie a 1, 2, or #3 pitcher in a rotation). McDougal is close to Schultz in my mind, with the major question here (as with all pitchers) being sustainable health. But I think his floor is the highest of this trio of prospects and I am a bit dissaopinted we couldn't continue to stretch him out so he could build on his 110+ innings last year in the minors, because right now it is pretty clear he's going to see a substantial set back in innings pitched as the club worked to get him stretched out for the rotation. With that said - his stuff is high end - he has the physical build you look for in front of the rotation starters, and as a floor, I think he will be an excellent reliver, but would hate to see him limited there. He has been consistently excellent after whatever adjustments he made from 24 into 25. Note: How they develop and what the right mix of minor league development vs. major league development will be key. I don't know what it is, but I think McDougal is the individual of the trio who will have more immediate sustained MLB success because I think his command and repeatability is best suited mixed with that stuff. Not saying he's going to come out and be an ace right away, but I think he'll be a serviceable big leaguer out of the gate and then grow from there.

Rick Hahn about to negotiate a Tarik Skubal deal on MLB network

You’re underestimating the deepness of it. I’m talking Mariana Trench levels.

Whatever you say.

I am curious about Schultz's profile as someone who didn't follow him all that closely. How much of his hype is tied to his height (and the impact that imposing height has on delivery and perception of his pitches) vs. stuff? I know he's giant, but it doesn't seem to translate into elite velocity, at least right now...what was it that made him that made him so highly rated? Genuine question.

Splitting the series with the Yankees, and being "in" every game, was a decent result. One thing they continue to prove is that they do not quit. Previous years' teams didn't win too many games when they were trailing late. Going into Tampa for the weekend will be a test. Taking two of three would be awesome. One of three would be meh. Getting swept, right before the deadline, would suck.

Guy is used to it. I remember these AZ high school athletes used to walk around with a gallon of water to all of their classes lol.

The correct pronunciation is “boleeve” btw

Burke was a beast last season. Which is to say, I think you could've watched him last year and not be surprised about what he's doing now. I was more surprised at Martin's start than I am about this stretch from Burke. I dunno that it relates to Schultz though. He hasn't even shown flashes to me at the MLB level. Andrew Painter has a 7 ERA and is a similar kind of prospect as Schultz, but he is at least showing flashes of why he was rated so highly. I have more faith in Smith than I do Schultz at the moment. Not saying he won't figure it out or be an elite pitcher, but they got to get this guy off the MLB team for his own good.

Good call on Hendricks and the impact ABS would have had on him. He always got a few inches off the corner.

It’s because we don’t have many of them. Need to get to where the best teams in the league are where we can freely trade from our farm without completely depleting it. We’re on the right track but not there yet.

I said this ISNT a deep thought.

I mean he's not dead or anything, but because of the type of stuff he has his window for success is much more narrow than most. His stuff has to be more perfect, and he has less room for loss within it.

The fact they were able to turn Crochet into a starter may have led to some overconfidence. But I do think part of the interest in Mason Miller isn't just 'wow dominant backend guy' but 'if we don't get a solid guy here we'll never be able to convert taylor'

I also saw Satchel Paige pitch for the St. Louis Browns in 1949, I believe. My Dad wanted to see him pitch, so I got to tag along. Never forgot it, obviously. He threw a few eephus pitches, and the crowd roared. They loved him.

I think Thorpe gets severly slept on here. Before his elbow blew up (wasn't it rumored his 2nd to last start?) - He had 1 start out of his first 7 that was over 2 earned runs (and it was a blow up of 7) and also every one of those starts were 3 or less hits.. I think he can be a serious guy though I assume the advanced stats will never love him due to his velo.

Development isn't linear for sure, and it definitely isn't certain. But I will say that the most important thing here should be putting the players in the best position to succeed, and not the team in the best position to win. Those two things might not be the same things at the same time.

I think they will be ambitious: two starting pitchers (one rental and one controlled); a right handed hitting catcher, and a right handed reliever. Think we are fine with lefties but we only have really one high leverage righty outside of Taylor.

Teel didn't look good when he was healthy for the short time he was active

Here's what I want: Robbie Ray - Practically a salary dump - trade 1 or two backend top 30 guys. Take on all the salary Tyler Stephenson - Again, low level prospects traded. Take on all the salary Grayson Rodriguez - Certainly been doo doo since being out practically 2 years. Lots of injury history but has a fun ceiling. This would more so be a buy low and project for future years.

Thank you, Jack Handey.