I wish we were in a better position right now - I do. But what is wrong with having 3 players extended who are 25 or 26 and who project to be 4-6 WAR players? Isn't that the type of position most teams want to be in?
We also have a productive hitter in Tony Taters, plus some ML ready prospects in Roden, Wagner, Barger, Orelvis, etc. whom you hope can add to that core. Obviously a lot hinges on Gimenez hitting well and some of the young players becoming regulars, but I don't think this some dire situation that requires a major blowup.
Do we need to develop better? and do we need success out of Bloss/Ricky/Yesavage/Nimmala? You're damn right we do - but that could happen. And yes we'll probably still need to be aggressive in the FA market, but if you step back, the franchise really isn't in that bad of a place.
I'm still hopeful, but realistically, we probably fall short of the playoffs this year. We could now be major sellers at the deadline. Moving Bo, Gausman, Bassitt, Green, Scherzer, Springer?, Varsho (maybe?), etc. could really change the trajectory of the future.
We could enter 2026 with the following positions filled:
C - Kirk
1st - Vlad
2nd - Wagner
SS - Gimenez
LF/RF - Roden/Taters
CF - Varsho (if he isn't dealt - could be an extension candidate)
Rotation - Berrios, Francis
Pen - Hoffman, Garcia, Little, Sandlin, Yariel
Then you should have Barger, Orelvis, Clement, Kasevich, McAdoo, etc. knocking on the door offensively, with Bloss, Ricky, Yesavage, Rojas, Macko, etc. ready to contribute on the pitching side.
Plus all the players you picked up at the trade deadline this year.
Plus a ton of money available to sign free agents.
I just don't think it's all doom and gloom. I could see us contending again as soon as 2026, but if not, soon after. Certainly while we're still in the prime of Vlad/Gimenez/Kirk. A lot of this will depend on how good that Roden, Wagner, Barger, Orelvis, Nimmala, Bloss, Ricky, Yesavage become...we REALLY need several of them to become quality major league starters. Just my take. As always - I'm excited to see it playout.