Early 2018 predictions/expectations

[wildbillhiccup]

22 hours ago, Roll Tide said:

I confidently predict we will finish dead last in the AL East. The team needs to rebuild, and leadership is too stupid to do what needs to be done. In order to actually compete you need to add a #1, #3, and # 5 starter to the mix and simply are unwilling to make the necessary financial commitment to get it done. Even if they were it would be a difficult task considering what is available.

I could see us finishing ahead of the Rays, but no one else really. From what I've read the Rays are contemplating cleaning house and going into rebuild mode. Longoria, Colome, and Odorizzi are all rumored to be on the block. They's probably trade Archer too if the price was right. 

[wildbillhiccup]

14 hours ago, Frobby said:

The farm system isn’t that thin right now, thankfully.    Not loaded, but middle of the pack and some nice talent at the top.   

It's certainly thin from a pitching perspective. 

[Luke-OH]

2 minutes ago, wildbillhiccup said:

It's certainly thin from a pitching perspective. 

From an upper minors pitching perspective.

[Frobby]

9 minutes ago, phillyOs119 said:

From an upper minors pitching perspective.

Yes.    Not bad at all at the lower levels.    

[Can_of_corn]

10 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Yes.    Not bad at all at the lower levels.    

Having interesting pitching prospects at the lower levels should be true of every farm system.

[Redskins Rick]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

Having interesting pitching prospects at the lower levels should be true of every farm system.

Indeed, considering 7 out of 10 fail.

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, Redskins Rick said:

Indeed, considering 7 out of 10 fail.

I've been told a .300 average is considered quite good in this game.

[ArtVanDelay]

2 minutes ago, Redskins Rick said:

Indeed, considering 7 out of 10 fail.

10 out of 10 for us. 

[TouchemAll]

23 hours ago, Roll Tide said:

I confidently predict we will finish dead last in the AL East. The team needs to rebuild, and leadership is too stupid to do what needs to be done. In order to actually compete you need to add a #1, #3, and # 5 starter to the mix and simply are unwilling to make the necessary financial commitment to get it done. Even if they were it would be a difficult task considering what is available.

Sadly I have to agree here, doesn't mean I won't watch and pray for better, but this seems to be where we're headed.  I just don't see us getting the required pitching to have us compete with Boston and NY.

Rolling the dice with Manny and seeing him walk next year with NO return is Mussina like agonizing. 

[Frobby]

28 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Having interesting pitching prospects at the lower levels should be true of every farm system.

Sure.    But we have more of them now than has been the case over the last many years.    

[Redskins Rick]

35 minutes ago, ArtVanDelay said:

10 out of 10 for us. 

Horse Hockey.

 

Britton is not a failure

Matsuz was not a failure

Bundy is not a failure

Gausman is not a failure

Too soon to tell about Harvey

Hobgood was a failure

Adam Loewen could be consider a failure

 

[Redskins Rick]

15 minutes ago, TouchemAll said:

Sadly I have to agree here, doesn't mean I won't watch and pray for better, but this seems to be where we're headed.  I just don't see us getting the required pitching to have us compete with Boston and NY.

Rolling the dice with Manny and seeing him walk next year with NO return is Mussina like agonizing. 

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Frobby]

6 minutes ago, Redskins Rick said:

Horse Hockey.

 

Britton is not a failure

Matsuz was not a failure

Bundy is not a failure

Gausman is not a failure

Too soon to tell about Harvey

Hobgood was a failure

Adam Loewen could be consider a failure

 

In many ways, I consider Matusz to be more of a failure than Loewen.     Injuries derailed Loewen’s career, while Matusz somehow derailed himself.   Loewen had an ERA+ of 85 in the majors, same as Matusz.   

[Can_of_corn]

5 minutes ago, Frobby said:

In many ways, I consider Matusz to be more of a failure than Loewen.     Injuries derailed Loewen’s career, while Matusz somehow derailed himself.   Loewen had an ERA+ of 85 in the majors, same as Matusz.   

I'm still blaming TTTP. 

[Redskins Rick]

1 minute ago, Frobby said:

In many ways, I consider Matusz to be more of a failure than Loewen.     Injuries derailed Loewen’s career, while Matusz somehow derailed himself.   Loewen had an ERA+ of 85 in the majors, same as Matusz.   

Like Wiesters, Matusz never developed into the player they had drafted at a number 1 slot.

Career WAR of 2.7 is pretty low, he had a very strong 2nd year here with a 3.0 WAR.

I think he had a very good 2015 season, 2.94 EAR and a 1.184 WHIP.

Failures dont spend 8 seasons on a major league rooster.

To me, guys like Hobgood, regardless if injury or not, if they bust out like he did, that is a failure.

You are right, I was wrong to consider Loewen a failure.