Can_of_corn

Most teams are trying to juggle winning games at the ML level and developing players in the minors. I'm guessing that's harder than just doing one or the other.

How many Mayflower trucks would it take to haul OPACY to Nashville? ?

And extending the rebuild period keeps payroll lower.

Not miserable failures, I didn't say that at all. I'm saying he's meeting reasonable expectations. He should be doing this well considering all the factors. If I go to work and do what I'm being paid to do I don't expect to get heaps of praise for doing what is expected of me.

You don't think an ownership mandated payroll restrictions are playing a part?

I think fourth is a very reasonable expectation given their situation. This is his area of specialty. He clearly was emphasizing it over the ML roster. He had a good starting point.

Did you even read the post you replied to?

So? They are still not in "win now" mode. I think you are confusing trying to win and being in "win now" mode. I don't think the Rays are going to do anything to hurt their chances at long term contention to add a piece to help this season. I don't think they would refuse a solid offer for a piece to help this season (see Snell). A team in "win now" mode trades Torres for Chapman or trades for Andrew Miller. They trade for Snell and Darvish.

So? They aren't in "win now" mode.

So? They are not in a "win now" mode like the Padres are. They never are. They will never be the team that gives up Torres for a Chapman rental.

Which is why they traded their best pitcher? The Rays don't play the win now game. They are concerned with winning now and winning in the future.

I mean it worked out well for him but maybe if Aiken hadn't had the issue that caused him to fail the physical he would have been a great player. The Astros had no idea he had the issue when they picked him and their medical staff did their job. You could say they were lucky that Aiken didn't accept their lower offer.

It isn't luck because Aiken failed a physical.

Even moreso with Kjerstad. If Elias had picked chalk and the player didn't work out I don't think he'd be as criticized. I know I view Hobgood as a worse pick than Rowell.

Kjerstad might very well be the determining factor in how Elias is viewed. If he pans out, and to a lesser extent the overslots, Elias looks like a genius. If Kjerstad flames out it looks bad.

I think ownership's evaluation is going to be based on how well Elias kept costs down.

I'm not getting into this conversation but I have to use this line. The Rays can ask for the moon but Adley is a star.

They had the second pick in the draft and the most pool money. They delayed promoting Mountcastle so he retained his rookie status. They traded a few pieces. What were you expecting that you think fourth rates kudos?

I don't think Elias cares, so if you are right, I think it would be coming from ownership.

This qualifies as acceptable right? I certainly don't think it's laudable considering how much of the team's resources have been geared toward this goal. Can't say I'm happy to see a playoff team in the division rank ahead of us.

I'm of the opinion that being on the west coast is generally seem as a plus for KBO/NPB players.

They started ramping up international spending a couple years ago. So some players should start appearing on the lists soon right? Are you not expecting any returns until year seven? I think Elias did a masterful job of setting expectations low.

The O's don't have analytics? What is Sig doing here? Or are we supposed to buy that it takes four years or more to ramp that up as well?

But now that the O's theoretically have a viable system up and running they should be fine without having to continue to aim for top picks.

The Padres? They have had one top four pick (#3) in the last decade. Might not have been the best example to use.