poppysox

We have the building blocks for a lockdown pen. Spending some money on two pen pieces would be high on my list.

Hope so...but don't think so.

Now you are just being a trouble maker.?

Have you ever lived that down??

I'm still hopeful that Reylo can find himself in the right pen situation.

Good post...anxious to see what Katz can do with this group. He certainly seems to have helped Gio.

The difference has been that RH used the extensions for Sale/Eaton/Q to get really well compensated in those trades. He turned around and extended the returns from those deals and signings with the Gio/Eloy/Moncada/Robert extensions. We are in a position to be the Braves with seemingly endless postseason appearances if we play our cards right. We have a potential all-star playing at every position except RF. We have 3 or 4 potential TOR pitchers among our prospects. There is a very real possibility to have the best 10 year run in this team's history IMO. The Cubs only accomplished about half of what I'm hoping... for but I know what you're saying.

You are making the same point I apparently didn't get across. By many people's standards, the WS justifies the Cubs trades and free-agent signings at the point we are at now in the rebuild. Four short years later they are no longer a serious contender. You use Thompson and Kelly as examples of prospects some would unload in potential trades. I have seen Madrigal, Kopech, Cease, Vaughn, and others used as trade bait as well. Just not my thing.

Yes I did...what's your point?

The lesson learned is to continue the development of the young prospects we have through good coaching (Katz & Cairo). Surround them with upgrades where we need reinforcements (RF and pitching). Don't try to win it all with one blockbuster free agent. Solid well-balanced teams win championships. In 2005 we had a team with some very good players but certainly no one I would call a superstar. Our coaching is looking better with the additions of Katz & Cairo and in spite of the negatives TL brings to the job...his teams play up to their abilities. Guys like Bauer and Springer would be great if we can afford them...but if they fail...we are the Phillies.

The real trick is to spend whatever money you have on the right guys. Maximum utilization of the team's resources. We all want the best players available but none of us know the "real" cap on what JR will spend. Whenever the talk goes to all-in on any one player my reflex is to think...if this guy has a career-ending injury the years of preparation go out the window. I have always favored spreading the risk over several areas of improvement rather than the single big acquisition. Interestingly, your example of Trout is probably the only player around that I personally could see going all-in on. Yes, I know that even Trout doesn't fit our team.

Artie Moreno hasn't won a thing.

I have high hopes for Cease and Kopech to find themselves. All the talent in the world and a young coach that seems to know how to relate. Throwing strikes has always been the problem with our young guys. Our offense should allow pitchers to throw without worry about giving up a run or two. It kind of frees up the brain if you will.

Works for me.

Giolito, Keuchel, Cease, Dunning, Lopez, Lambert, Kopech, and Crochet are a good nucleus for Katz to work with. A Quintana type might be nice but not essential if the pen is the type pen KC used a few years back. All of this mix and match starter talk is so that we don't spend it all on one guy. Quality pens can piece together very solid staff performances. Also, we do need to see what we have in this group of high-end prospects. I do want to see what Katz can do with the young guys.

I don't love the idea of bringing in people from outside the organization for considerably more than the current players get. Make an exception for generational talent but this year's crop of talent is not that. Jose making 10 million less than Springer doesn't seem right. That said...it is the current system. If Bauer can be had in the 20-25 million neighborhood I would like him. If not...Colome and Hendriks along with Joc would complete my off-season. Katz working with our stable of young guns with a lockdown pen should be very effective. Joc/Engel and Vaughn make the lineup look very dangerous.

Flowers would be on my shortlist as well.

$25 M per year for 5 years is starting to look like the number. Much better than trading the future IMO.

I agree...just don't get screwed as the Cubs did.?

Kopech as the centerpiece of a deal has the potential to haunt us for 10 years. He just might be better than Snell this year. Vaughn might be very good but DH/1st. basemen are rather plentiful. I've said it before...Snell is good...but not as good as Sale. Free agents only cost money. Need to make trades very carefully IMO.

I would prefer that we let Katz do the unlocking.

Over the years much has been made of how Harry Caray leaving us for the Cubs really helped the Cub brand. Maybe this is the start of a reversal of that trend.

I would rather spend the money on something we actually need like a right fielder and pitching.

I like the "homerism".

The Joc/Engle duo makes a lot of sense...especially if Bauer is on the radar.