TheHurl

The organization which many of us here admired for how they build a sustainable winner is now two straight years without a playoffs. But they at least the Cardinals never strayed too far from the plan. But they also have the one WS win, one more NL title to stand behind in showing the process works. You can have the best system in place but your job is probably in jeopardy every year that it doesn't fulfill the promise you might lose your job. I have to think that panic set in with AA and the rest of his time he scrambled to make it work (getting Donaldson eventually made it work), it's either that or leading into the 2013 he severely overrated where the team was (also a possibility as he didn't believe in outside projections) I honestly believe that he knew he was leaving the minute Shapiro was hired, so I'm actually shocked he didn't go for it even more at that deadline. That two months of ball playing way beyond projections cemented a future job for him. I've heard that lots of other Front Office people have a lot of respect for him, I can't help it if I don't.

Please explain how he is a good person? Good people keep their word

Get in his ear about Ronald Acuna now. Less than a week away from the 5 year anniversary of one of the worst trades ever too, will be fun to re-visit that one in Atlanta

all that prospect collateral to trade

and take the last shot...

According to Phil Rogers the deal on the table is: Stanton and Ziegler for Reyes, Alcantara, Diaz and Grichuk I find it hard to believe that the Cards want Ziegler

The last two years have been good for baseball...you also have to understand that when Manfred took over ratings were down to half of post strike ratings (a third of pre-strike) and everything was trending down. There is a nice upward swing right now and they have to continue it with some solid Youth outreach. I've never understood why baseball doesn't promote personalities better...then again whenever players show much personality there is this traditionalist backlash. Maybe this years Astros will change that.

I'm positive we'll see trades. We have too many might not be ready for the bigs bats on the 40.

I can tell you what little I know from people I've talked to about this front office. They will not hire anyone who is not a fit with them personally. Josh Lifrak told me a story about how he interviewed with the Shatkins and got to the point where they were talking about the team that would work below him. It came down to culture in the office, and Josh is not a suit and tie type whereas Shatkins are. That was enough for Shatkins not to hire him, but instead Shapiro called Theo and said "I have the Mental Conditioning director for you" and Josh was hired by the Cubs after one meeting with Theo. Based on this story and a couple others I've heard, if Roy wasn't a fit they wouldn't just hand him a job. I honestly don't see it as a negative even.

does it really matter? For 50 years or 4 years...it's too much for a guy that isn't even a top 35 over the 4 years of his breakout.

Rangers can offer the most money to Otani...if the first year of his contract matters to him (I don't see why it does) Rangers have a small edge. https://www.thescore.com/news/1417331

I read that almost 30% of those sold have crashed, it was a messageboard (may even of been here) not a reputable site. While I don't completely understand thrill seekers, as I'm not one of them, I do know enough of them that they aren't really going to think about this happening. They love the thrill. If Roy loved the thrill...well at least he died doing something he loved. Roy was a local athlete and it hits the Toronto community hard, but for me I loved watching him pitch. He was done pitching and I can watch any game I wish to see him again. I got to see the full capacity of what he could do in that area. So I feel for his family, I feel for the baseball community, but I can move on quickly from most deaths of people I knew or didn't know. I realize it sounds cold but the way I deal with death is remember the good. With Roy there was lots of good pitching. With Jose I'm left with the "what could have been..."

Me too. There just is no spot for him on this team. I just wish 2017 Smoak was 2016 Smoak and we could have traded Tellez while he had more value.

Chances are the F.O. would know if Tellez has interest as they would have likely discussed him in trade multiple times by now (and if they don't plan to add him, they should be pursuing trades with those teams they know are interested). It's great that the Jays have all this talent they want to protect...but they also have to put together a 25 man roster and I count 5 or so bats that might not be Major League ready already on the roster. Considering most teams only carry about 18 or so non pitchers, you just can't stash too many in the minors.

My two greatest Doc memories would be the 10 inning under 100 pitch game. Couldn't tell you the season, and I think the opponent was Detroit. I just remember how quick and masterful it was. Then of course there was the NLDS no hitter. Even more than the Perfect game this one sticks with me.

Rest in Peace Doc.

Once the first person identified the number as Halladay's plane it was going to spread rumours regardless.

Doesn't look good at all.

He's on the 40 and getting paid like a 4th year player next year, we will see a full dose of him this year.

I think they leave both Rowdy and Pentecost exposed. It likely does mean that they won't have a pick themselves in the Rule 5.

Does this leave us at 36 or 37 on the 40? Who's next on the chopping block if we add anyone after the guys we protect from the Rule 5? Refsnyder? Goins?

and don't forget this one "Rays pitching prospect Taylor Guerrieri needed stitches to close a cut near his right eyebrow after hitting his head on a bathtub Saturday" this guy is just a step above Spanky in his ability to stay healthy.

Were Benintendi and Bregman before they changed Katoh to include Cape Cod and International games?

Thanks. I can't see then having the spots to add 6 or 7. I agree with Glory, we might see some minor deals for guys that have a little less upside but more time before needing to be added. Or just leave a few of these guys exposed and hope no one is pulling a Padres.