Exactly. It was good international signing and scouting (which we obviously weren't doing until the regime change) and smart trades to replenish the farm system.
Because the team drafted a college right fielder 1-2?
While he might bust I don't think it is faulty thinking to plan for Kjerstad to be the right fielder of the future. Hopefully, as an advanced college bat, he'll be ready as early as 2022.
The most important things in sports are 1) not to have to go against a true dynasty and 2) how good you are. Outside of #1, which is pretty rare, the most important thing is still internal, in my opinion. Toronto being better means our games against them are harder, but it also means the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox all have harder games too. So there's that.
Yea I know what you mean. For the last few years I've been thinking/hoping that the O's would be competitive again by 2022, maybe 2023. The Blue Jays' ascent could really throw a wrench in that.
Undersold on this board is the fact that Toronto is a VERY large market with VERY rich ownership. At least that's my recollection. We're really going against 3 financial juggernauts and the most efficient franchise in the sport. Tough division.
And I don't get the idea that he's so easy to replace. I've seen this team run out enough stiffs in the outfield since Markakis left to not take that position for granted.
The international guys are most interesting to me. In theory one or two could come stateside and be top 10 prospects quickly if the hype matches the eye test. The few guys I wouldn't be surprised to also see added are:
Cumberland - could be our future backup catcher, which has value. Could see him in the 20-30 range at the end of of 2021 with a good year.
Mattson - another arm from the Bundy deal. We haven't seen him much yet. Wouldn't surprise me if he turns out to have Zimmermann like production.
The headliner in a Cobb/Santander/Mancini trade.