On the field, would you say it's our top priority to upgrade the starting staff?

[Greg Pappas]

I titled it this way so that some would not get into off the field stuff, like ownership.  After voting, please explain why.

Edited December 29, 2023 by Greg Pappas

[Spy Fox]

Yes. I think the team is built to succeed as it stands today and if they rolled into April with this roster I’d expect to contend for another division crown. 

But I think the rotation is thinnest part of our organization and the part of the ship that’s most likely to fail under stress. So it’s the priority for reinforcement/upgrade. 

[AnythingO's]

To me the most pressing decision is to decide what to do about the depth in the minors, who goes and who stays. By doing that you may end up with a Cease or Bieber or you may just acquire more Povich, McDermott, Johnson like prospects. Most want a guy to slot with Bradish and GRod in a short playoff series but Wells or Means could be that guy if Hyde uses them wisely during the season. I am more concerned about who is lined up behind Johnson in the upper minors today while we wait for the International guys to emerge. For me, I keep HK and Westburg along with Mayo and Basallo. Cowser, Ortiz, Norby, Stowers are available for the right pitcher. Holiday is the SS and Mayo is 1B when they come; Gunnar is 3B. O'Hearn, Mounty, Santa are available.

[Greg Pappas]

15 minutes ago, AnythingO's said:

To me the most pressing decision is to decide what to do about the depth in the minors, who goes and who stays. By doing that you may end up with a Cease or Bieber or you may just acquire more Povich, McDermott, Johnson like prospects. Most want a guy to slot with Bradish and GRod in a short playoff series but Wells or Means could be that guy if Hyde uses them wisely during the season. I am more concerned about who is lined up behind Johnson in the upper minors today while we wait for the International guys to emerge. For me, I keep HK and Westburg along with Mayo and Basallo. Cowser, Ortiz, Norby, Stowers are available for the right pitcher. Holiday is the SS and Mayo is 1B when they come; Gunnar is 3B. O'Hearn, Mounty, Santa are available.

I believe that will probably resolve itself as the young guys play this Spring and into the season.

[Sports Guy]

I don’t see what else could be the answer.

[Too Tall]

Voted yes. While I think we could ride with what we have, that's assuming a lot and taking the chance we have a relatively healthy year. I concur with old adage that you never have too much pitching. 

[interloper]

Elias has literally stated as much. Whether or not it happens is another topic entirely.

[Greg Pappas]

4 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

I don’t see what else could be the answer.

I agree but have read plenty of posts that point to other priorities.  I suspect a strong majority of votes will be Yes, but wanted those with differing opinions to express how they see it here.

[btdart20]

19 minutes ago, AnythingO's said:

To me the most pressing decision is to decide what to do about the depth in the minors, who goes and who stays.

Agreed.  It’s bigger than finding a short-term pitcher regardless of where he slots in.  On the flip-side of that, who we are willing to trade away determines the SP bracket we will be acquiring for 2024 (assuming Elias follows through with that stated goal).

[Aristotelian]

Yes, seems like the biggest weakness when you compare us to playoff level teams. I'd rather have Grayson and Bradish be solid 2-3 guys that are capable of pitching like 1's rather than feel like they need to pitch like aces. Kremer/Wells/Irvin are all fine for the back end but depth is good and they could help the bullpen.

[Spy Fox]

11 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

I don’t see what else could be the answer.

Trading Dean Kremer. 

[btdart20]

9 minutes ago, Greg Pappas said:

I agree but have read plenty of posts that point to other priorities.  I suspect a strong majority of votes will be Yes, but wanted those with differing opinions to express how they see it here.

I think many would vote yes as well.  I mean it’s the simple, easy answer given the rotation and results/options at other positions.

But I also think framing it as “on the field” tilts it even more toward the 26 man roster decision vs. a more wholistic process.  

[dystopia]

I actually think the bullpen is the bigger issue. 

[RVAOsFan]

As it was mentioned above, starting pitching is the one spot on this roster that looks like it could hold us back.  I will say I think an argument could be made that an improvement at 1B could be made but I think we can cover that with internal options to supplement Mountcastle. 

[Sports Guy]

11 minutes ago, Spy Fox said:

Trading Dean Kremer. 

That’s priority #2, not #1.