Yep. .465 OBP and scoring runs every game. What a shot in the arm for the offense looked to be. First prime quality leadoff hitter we'd had in forever. Hopefully we get a great few years from him yet.
And a 90 loss team wasn't going to attract top free agents even if there was money there
This would have been another year of baby steps roster wise, but possibly a significant step up in performance
A few things I've seen that I like
Hutch looks great
Stroman has great looking stuff and so poised. Didn't GAF after he gave up the big hit to Davis. Went right after the next guy and got him. Didn't look the tiniest bit fazed.
Melky looks adequate in LF more mobile and swinging bat well
Seriously. Even generally smart frugal teams like Oakland and Tampa were trading to acquire much more expensjve closers. How could AA not get something decent for either of these two???