poppysox

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?

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.