I'm only doing the Chapman + Cueto deal if we have a window to talk to Cueto's reps and the deal is contingent on him signing an extension. And yes, I know that will drive up the price, but here's the thing: We traded Jeff Kent for David Cone. Jeff Kent went on to be a hall of famer in San Fran, but Cone helped us win the title, so no one complains. If Cueto and Chapman, in this 1 and a half year window we have left, can be key pieces and we win a title (big if), Hoffman, Norris, and SRF could become the next Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz for all I care and no one would shake two shits because at he end of the day, it's the ring that it's all about. I'd rather have 1 title and 9 years of no playoffs including a few tank years with our core pieces aging and having no future in the pipeline than to have 5 playoff years and another 5 just outside looking in years with no title.
This offense is absolutely special. There's no guarantees of a title, but at some point you have to push the stack and go all in, and I think this year is the time. Make the all in push for this year and next and if it doesn't work out, it sucks, but at least you had a good run. It's not like the league will go defunct after next year and fold. We can still rebuild after next year and restock the pipeline, which has probably been one of AA's strongest suits.