poppysox

I don't think Oldsox meant it as an argument...just a comment.

Welcome to my very small club. You make some excellent points IMO.

Well said as always.

Thank you!

I am in the minority but I like the Eaton hire. A gritty player who wants to win. We are definitely a better team today than we were yesterday IMO.

Gee...that would be so unlike us.?

The on-field perspective is the only one I care about.

If winning is important to the player...he would obviously rather play for TL. It's not a popularity contest.

Where is Greg? He has been laying low for a while now.

No one is better at the extension game than Hahn.

This is just the kind of move that would make us look like we are serious about winning to Bauer.

He is still OK for depth IMO...just not 10 million per year good like some people suggest. I look at Q as cheap insurance if one of Cease, Dunning, or Kopech can't figure it out.

My honest guess would be Tony LaRussa.

Mercedes must be the most underrated player in baseball. Never see him mentioned as a possible DH...not even as trade bait.

I agree...this is not the year for free agents to play hard to get. Lots of teams sitting this one out.

I have followed WS baseball since the late 1950s. Dick Allen was without a doubt...one of the best players of my time.

I understand the one-and-done concept but it sure would be nice to watch a dozen years of good baseball.

I am having the same reaction. The Winter meeting just started and it is obvious that the offseason is a total lost cause. Nonsensical!

If they trade a young reliever it better not be Bummer. He's the real deal.

If you add Colome to that group you have a very good floor. I expect a bit more but wouldn't be disappointed with that improvement to the club for now.

If you pay Wheeler and Harper the salaries they got for their once in a lifetime FA contracts and throw in those prospects...you would have just got yourself the screwing of a lifetime. Sale/Q/Eaton got those big prospect returns because they were cheap by normal standards. Nothing cheap about Wheeler and Harper. I like Harper and Wheeler but only if either or both are available primarily for salary relief.

Joc is just the type of FA I like to get. Improves the club nicely without breaking the bank.

We can't pay the salary that Philadelphia bid in free agency and throw in meaningful prospects in addition. The Phils need to settle for salary relief and a token prospect or two. Emphasis on "token."

I was not in favor of the LaRussa hire and was happy he was bounced the first time. His know it all attitude can come off as insufferable at times and his age are negatives. The DUI stuff makes the hire even worse. That said, LaRussa would not have taken this job with any motive other than improving his HOF credentials. I am trying to focus on the fact that he intends to have this team win under his stewardship. We have not had a solid baseball manager since the Ozzie good years. Tony is a real student of the game and knows the rule book inside and out. He knows how to fill out the lineup card and will deal with the bonehead and lack of hustle issues all teams run in to. The baseball part of this hire will probably work out quite satisfactorily IMO.

Who better to use as examples?