SonofaRoache

4/5ths of our future rotation is playing and we want to see young guys hit and stick. So I'll be rooting for victories the rest of the way and hoping we can get a good player at pick 7.

You don't think he knows that? What's the point of anyone else reminding him of something he struggles with, other than to be an ass?

He clearly wants to be in Chicago, like Abreu. That 7th year isn't worth having him unhappy he wasn't promoted like Kopech. Theo will use this to his advantage when those 7 years are up. I'd take my chances that he will re-sign with us if our front office builds a legit team and pays him top dollar. If we have no intention of re-signing him then I can see where that extra year would be crucial.

"I've been waiting to play pro ball in Chicago since I was 11." That extra year of service time shouldn't be a big deal if we play our cards right. We may want to call him up to avoid creating bad mojo and sending him to the Cubs after the 7th year.

I'm not worried his his or Kopech's extra year of service time as I think we need to identify them as two of five core pieces we must break the bank for. We need to play that loyalty angle AND show them the money. This org also needs to be prepared to pay a huge payroll when this time comes if need be. The 5 guys I would break the bank for are Rodon, Kopech, Eloy, Robert, and Moncada. I think Madgrical will be a great hitter but not enough power to warrant a huge payday.

I have no problem picking 6th if it means our pitchers and Moncada have all stepped up.

I'm thinking Anderson felt since the throw was off line that he wouldn't throw it to second because we had a runner on third. Throw it to second and the runner on third scores.

Anderson should be charged an error for that.

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Also I was adamant about calling he and Eloy up prior to last week at the latest. But I understand trying to keep your top guys happy and rewarding them for doing what you ask.

They called him up probably because of his frustration about not being called up. Now Eloy will be pissed if he doesn't get called up. And to be honest, I wouldn't blame him.

I think since he was the top prospect and headliner in the Sale trade being below average has a different context. If Engel gets to just below average status we'd be real happy.

Your point is valid, but it's risky to go into a season without a vet reliable starter. The rest of this will sort itself out as most of the guys you listed will be busts, traded, or end up in the pen. Having too much quality pitching is a good thing. How often do teams have a full rotation of just farm guys while trying to compete?

You aren't blocking anyone really because the back end guys will need a few more years anyway. Some of them will bust. If for some reason we have a surplus of good pitching that is a good thing. If push comes to shove we could trade one or two to get a position player of need. Competition isn't a bad thing as well, if our guys all perform we are gonna have this issue anyway.

We need to bring in a vet who can give us number three production for a few years until we can figure out who the busts are. Hopefully our rotation ends up being 1. Rodon 2. Kopech 3. FA number 3 starter then Cease 4. Lopez 5. Giolito or any guy who proves worthy Right now things look scary but I think we will be okay. If Kopech or Lopez bust we have options and money to buy a starter, and the assets to trade for one.

I don't think Eloy will hold it against us for holding him back, but I believe Kopech will. No early extensions, no discounts, and gone when contract is up to the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, or Dodgers. Moncada and Eloy will probably re-sign if things go well and we pay up.

Orrrrrr. Our front office can do their jobs and resign core guys while drafting and signing solid replacements for the defectors.

Remember when everyone laughed at the notion Javier Baez was better than Moncada?

The Cubs can because they have a great fan base, market, and big time players have signed with them in their primes. We have none of that. As far as your point on confidence, I think that was my point. We need to be confident that we can sign these guys regardless of when we call them up, and not cling to one last year of hope as if we will lose them.

That's a fair point. But the indifferent emoji doesn't give off positive vibes.

It's not the photo itself but the checked boxed emoji.

This is what I meant when I was saying you don't want to piss off prospects. They are human and know when they are getting shafted. Keeping them down til April makes a ton of sense, but may cost us long term if we are not careful. My preference is we call up players when we know in our hearts they are ready, and then spend the next six years figuring out a way to keep them around for a second contract.

He has a great eye, so I wouldn't mind if he swung early in the count if it was a pitch he could drive. Great hitters are also good at protecting the strike zone and fouling off tough pitches. Him getting better at doing this would not hurt his development. This sport is about making adjustments when you are first trying to figure things out. Teams will gameplan for your weakness and advantages they may have over you. In the case of Moncada he cannot just keep striking out and hoping things will get better.

It's not just that he is striking out. His approach at the plate isn't very good if he has lost so many points because of umpires. He may need to start swinging at close calls until this is figured out.

They can do something where the first team to have the player play in 300 MLB games has their bird rights. This would mean the team could offer an extra year as a team option they can pick up. To make the player happy, this additional year option would pay a percentage more money than the previous year. If a player isn't worth it, the team can decline the option.