MiddleCoastBias

But that also begs the question that if we didn't let anyone go, how are those people the team was 'loyal' to going to feel when they hire more people to do their jobs? If other teams are in a position to slash their FO staff sizes, seems odd that we could add people without removing others. I'm in favor of bringing in the top talent evaluators, just a tough sell for the talent evaluators that have gotten us here.

Springer, Stroman, and Quintana on a prove-it deal are my hopes for the off-season. Pair those moves with a 7th inning reliever and bump the other guys up an inning. Hire Hinch. Jirschele as bench. Zaleski as pitching coach. Get rid of Boston in light of his history. I'd be very happy with this off-season.

I really like this idea of offering contracts with (multiple?) opt outs. Gives the players guaranteed cash and incentive to possibly play for a bigger payday when the economy improves. And if he plays his way out of our budget and opts out, it's bought us time if someone like Colas is signed and has time to develop. Love this play for Springer. Sign me up.

For one year of Lance Lynn?? K. The Rangers wanted a haul for Mike Minor last year and weren't satisfied with offers, ended up settling for two PTBNLs and some cash for him at this year's trade deadline. They wanted a haul for Lynn this year, didn't get it either. Some team might be stupid enough to meet their ridiculous trade standard, but it shouldn't be what you're suggesting. One year. Of Lance Lynn. And you want to trade the farm. Thank god they didn't answer your letter.

I thought I heard a Chuck podcast interview with Paulie earlier this spring where PK was talking about how much he was loving life spending time with his family and coaching youth baseball in Arizona. I got the sense he wasn't in any sort of rush to go back on the road away from his family.

If this actually happens, get ready for a steady diet of day games as old man La Russa probably can't legally drive home after dark.

Cubs are going to be in a weird flux this off-season into next year. All of their FAs are up in '21 so they could look to make a final push with this team. But Theo also said something to the effect of "we've tried with this team, can't keep sending the same guys out there to the same effect, big moves could be made" (paraphrasing, believe it was from a DVS article). On top of that, Theo is already talking exit strategy and might abandon ship early. Maybe the Phillies see each opportunity to poach him. All in all, being a cubs fan this year might suck, beyond the normal reasons.

Scott Carroll's Hats. Do it.

This is peak usage of "actually", missing the forest for the trees. We're not commenting on his effectiveness as a baseball player or what this has anything to do with the Sox organization.

I've suggested for Cease, feel like he's more attractive to them with age and recent shiny prospect ranking. I would happily dump ReyLo on them for Benny

Welcome to my club! Been pining for him for years (and yes I know he's regressed the last year+). Boston getting him at #7 and we follow that pick with Fulmer has always stood out as "what could have been vs. what we actually got" scenario for me. Would love to see him on this team next year, think he fits our need.

The one thing I find encouraging about Cease is how highly Giolito talks about his work ethic and drive to get better. I think that focus alone gives him a better chance to succeed than Lopez, and sounds very similar to what Giolito was facing and overcame through hard work and determination.

That's why I think he's a buy-low candidate, but I know the Red Sox aren't at a point of selling low on him yet

I'm stumping hard for a trade with Boston of Cease+ for Benintendi.

My dream is that we trade Cease+ to Boston for Benintendi and stick him in RF. I'm going to be pushing that all off-season.

I want to ask "who, Rodon or Ricky?", but the answer is clearly both.

He's also put all of his pitchers into positions that they're not used to. Relievers are like goalies, creatures of habit. Any given day they know "I'm the 7th inning guy", "I'm the 8th", "I come in for this type of situation", etc. Today Ricky decided to blow it all up and try something totally new, didn't give Dunning an opportunity succeed, and now everyone on the bench is looking around like they have no idea who is up next.

Bump so we don't need to start a new thread.

What's the emergency, "help us, Mazara, we've scored too many runs"?

Live look at the A's studio technician playing the same crowd noise on literally everything

I'm sick of hearing things like "this series is over if we lose either Gio or Dallas' start, we can't win game 3". Sure, the rest of the starters aren't elite, but few teams have 3 elite SPs. This team still knows how to win games when Cease, Dunning, and Lopez start, going a combined 16-11 (starter's record 8-7). Dylan Cease - 6-6 (5-4) Dane Dunning - 6-1 (2-0) Reynaldo Lopez - 4-4 (1-3) Game 3 isn't a lock with any of these guys, but quit acting like the season is over if we lose today or tomorrow. Lot of baseball to play and I'm not writing them off yet.

Swap Leury for Mazara and you've got yourself a deal.

In DeeRo we trust. I still question if we can ramp up immediately after we "toned it down" after the clinch, but we shall see.

When do we have to officially declare the playoff roster? And what does that look like compared to years past eg. players being shifted on and off the official roster?

Garrett Crochet is going to be a household name in baseball by next year.