2016 34th Round Pick - Lucas Brown - RHP - Troy University

I think he will be absolutely for that…but I also don’t think he has to for reasons I have stated in the past.

Well first of all, I think you are making the mistake that you have to trade high end assets to get good players.  That isn’t true (see Verlander) Secondly, as you continue to build good farm systems and develop good players, you can’t play them all. Trades have to be made. It’s a perfect use of resources. We aren’t talking about extensions. We are talking about big FA deals and yes, there is something wrong with it because those contracts largely blow up in your face.  It’s an awful use of resources and that has been proven time and time again. Just because the guy has had a good career the first 7-10 years doesn’t mean that it will continue to be as good.  Don’t get lured in by the name. The name doesn’t matter, the production does.

Is that your preference OR what you think Elias will do?

But, will he sign one of his guys?

Just can’t see a scenario where he signs a FA to a big 9 figure deal.

Elias made an interesting comment during an interview about how it's getting difficult to assess AAA hitting because so many MLB starters are coming up lame that AAA pitching is being moved up to the big leagues and guys in AAA throwing now, might not be the best they have due to MLB injuries.

I'm just going to assume you were including Ichiro as your fifth.