poppysox

I agree 100%. One player just can't tie up such a large amount of available funds. Comes back to haunt seemingly every team that goes this route. Harper & Machado already have underperformed their contracts with years and years to go.

The TA remarks put to rest the worries that Tony LaRussa is too old to relate to today's modern players. Our record is as good as most expected it to be when healthy. With the megascope of those injuries...nothing short of amazing. I still think RH did a great job in amassing the talent but TL has played it like a maestro.

I agree with you. Engel is becoming a player I want to see frequently.

JR and the WS organization do many things for the community and individuals. It's nice that on occasion it gets recognized as in this nice article. Also, it's good to have friends.?

Five solid starters put any team in playoff contention. Two excellent starters and one very good starter are needed once the playoffs begin. If the starting pitchers stay healthy...we are in very good shape.

I would be fine if they would stop changing the game. Replay and electronic balls and strikes are fine with me because they are an effort to "get it right." Don't try to win over non-fans while being a turn-off to most purist fans. Baseball records are made to be broken...not distorted.

We should all be 100% in agreement on this.

I think we will find that the Cubs are more rational than many here think. Salary relief is big on their wish list. Of course, absolutely every contender can use more pitching.

I don't remember ever seeing him pitch...but I agree his stats look good. Just don't watch much NL baseball.

Ruiz in the 10th after Hendricks spit the bit just doesn't do it for me. We need another late innings arm. Who is available...better than Kimbrel?

I would like RH to inquire about what it would take to get Craig Kimbrel from the Cubs.

If we were to trade Cease for Pederson this forum would implode. Always amazing what the experts don't know. Because of the salary relief, this board would consider Foster an overpay.

Yep...I was already trying to tell myself that it wasn't an important game and a 7 run lead was fine.

Defensively I like his game better than either Grandal or Collins. Not much stick but does know how to bunt,

We cashed in on 3 quality players (Sale, Q, Eaton) who were under favorable contracts. Had several quality drafts and some nice international signings. Also picked up several quality FA's at high but affordable prices. Rick Hahn should be given much credit for building this powerhouse on a middle-of-the-road budget.

We all fall flat while cracking wise from time to time. That's what happens when you shoot from the hip on a message board.

Kind of like the baseball talks will be I fear.

Yeah...but rather obvious don't you think?

The WS are doing what LA and St. Louis always seemed to do. Someone goes down and the next guy up plays just fine. Hardly missing a beat. This 40 man roster has shown itself to be surprisingly deep.

Tony just keeps showing the doubters he still can manage.

Yep...and they are not bloopers. His glove is very ordinary but he looks possible. The outfield situation looks much better than it did just a few weeks ago.

I agree...he has looked very good. He hits the ball with authority as well. Nice after thinking he was a wasted pick.

I would be surprised to see Eloy ever pick up a 1st baseman mitt. I think DH and occasional LF is it for him.

This is an exceptionally well-done write-up by VAfan and I agree with his conclusions. True to my nature I hope we keep all of them primarily because we would be selling low on the top 3 candidates IMO and Mercedes just has deal sweetener value at least until NL approves the DH. Anyone can be traded for the right deal but I would want real difference makers in return.

Leury has developed into a good baseball player...certainly better than I would ever have imagined. This injury-riddled year has provided opportunities for Leury, Vaughn, Sheets, Burger, Goodwin, Mercedes, and even Seby. I would say our depth has proven substantially better than most of us thought. TRL has shown us that he still knows how to handle a roster IMO. When all the regulars are back for playoff baseball...some painful demotions will need to happen.