poppysox

I know what you are saying but Abreu is needed until Vaughn gets here and that's not next year. Colome is needed here if next year is viewed as a go for it year rather than just being competitive.

Someone needs to take the ball every day. Nova is fine until the real rotation is ready sometime next year. Just like Shields he sometimes looks actually good...other times not so much. Nova and Shields both pitch at a nerve shattering slow a pace... but that's another story.

I took another positive from this series. It is often mentioned that Schwarber has made himself into a very adequate outfielder. In my opinion... Eloy looks much better defensively.

Very interested to see how the next 3 weeks play out. We will either work out an extension with Jose or trade him. Colome decision will be made. The outcome of the Abreu and Colome decisions will tell us a lot about intention to compete next year.

I think JR might surprise you.

Martinez is 31 years old. Three guaranteed years would probably be my maximum. My comment of limiting older players to 1 or two year contracts was aimed at slightly older than Martinez. Obviously, the make up of your team influences contract length as well. You wouldn't put Martinez on the same team with Abreu and Vaughn.

Leury is a good player ideally suited to be a super sub. Good tools not great tools. Best used playing 75% of the games as he fills in adequately for injury and days off.

I hope this is just sarcasm and not a sign that you have gone over to the dark side.

It's not that I don't want any older guys on my team...just don't want to be committed to them for more than a year or two at a time.

Can't wait for that brand of baseball. Speed shows up every day.

I think Rick gets plenty of help from Kenny in the talent evaluation department.

Greg...you have every right to like any player and have an opinion just like all of us. We're fans and have cheap opinions. Nothing is going to change because of anything said here. I won't be surprised if your closer on what happens in the Jose situation then the people giving you a hard time. The FO lived with Konerko far past his expiration date.

You win some and you lose some. Sometime you don't know if your winning or losing. That's life.

Alex never was a fan favorite. He came across as rather emotionless to me.

I find focus on the positives to be helpful. Not easy...but helpful.

I also understand that he's "stronger and leaner than he has ever been."

That would be HR, RBI and mentoring.

We will at least win a few more skirmishes. I think Cease having such a good relationship with Gio will help a great deal in his development.

Hope you are right.

I believe the mentoring they would receive from Abreu and McCann can greatly aid Robert and Madrigal's learning curve. Probably faster growth than playing time against lessor talents.

I would think RH is working on a 1 or 2 year extension with Abreu. If a deal can't be reached Jose will go to the highest bidder. Can't end up with nothing for him at the seasons end. My guess is 2 years at 25M with an option. '

I think some of the young players go to McCann for advice. Cordell was shown talking to McCann in the dugout after hitting his second HR the other day. Looked deep in explanation of his swing.

Won't be long now.?

I was a big Sanchez fan but at this point he is pricing himself out of reach for what he brings to his club. Leury is earning his keep and will be extended IMO.

Eloy's left field play is one of this years pleasant surprises. He certainly is better than advertised IMO.