Bowden ‘ain’t too bright.’ And don’t sell what you know short. Remember, as GM of the Reds, Bowden had Seattle over a barrel in 1999 when Griffey said he’d only accept a trade to The Reds. And Bowden STILL lost that trade!
Luke, thanks for a well balanced analysis with interesting names & stats.
The unsolved mystery (future article?) is strikeouts & strike-zone expansion '24 edition.
I agree in general w/Bowden on ownership not spending enough for top quality FA position players. However the M's are more than 1 stud position guy away and it didn't seem like there was a Seager/Semian FA combo to be had in '24 off-season.
Fielding a post season team is trying to hit trifectas even for big spenders like Yanks, Mets, Padres, LA's - no sure bets & budget doesn't guarantee even an above .500 record.
Given Stanton's lack of spending, it's more like buying lotto tickets for Dipoto & Hollander.
"If this guy stays healthy, if this guy bounces back", lefty-righty-platoons, etc.
Cruel irony M's castoff Abraham Toro is on the short list.
I 1st heard the goofy Alonso for Hancock/France line, & thought it was the usual New York shills (Rosenthal et al) like the annual "Felix to Yanks for nuttin" floaters back in the day...
Alonso: a not-that-hot-in-'24 FA with Boras as agent to M's for Hancock/France?
Mets would take the deal in a second, Alonso would be out the door after his final M's game.
Agree w/"Bowden ain't too bright" comment below, unless this stinker happens, then it's "Jerry/Justin ain't too bright". Guys who make their money hitting bombs don't sign w/Seattle.
Guys who hit bombs for a living (Griffey, ARod, Cruz) seek hitter-friendly parks; leave Seattle.
T-Mobile isn't just a park, it's the M's business model:
1. Good-defense-light-hit guys: JPs are cheaper than Seagers,
2. Rotating-DH cheaper than Cruz, Ohtani (how's our '24 K-Mart DH workin' out for ya M's?)
3. Pitcher-friendly-dimensions,
4. Platoon-hitters-are-cheaper than guys with good LR splits.
As Stanton said in his '24 interview - he want the M's to be competitive.
For the past 2 years M's were competitive and I bet they'll be competitive throughout '24.
I think M's fans want an in-it-to-win-it owner who spends like SD, NY's, TX, LA etc. - Stanton ain't that guy.
I agree with everything you said. It's too early to see where a trade would help us the most. Keep spreading the playing time around (especially playing to platoon strengths) and reward those that perform with more time. The only place I would get help at this point (if possible without selling the farm) is to add high leverage arms to the bullpen. I believe that Garver, Polanco, and others will continue to improve.
Bowden ‘ain’t too bright.’ And don’t sell what you know short. Remember, as GM of the Reds, Bowden had Seattle over a barrel in 1999 when Griffey said he’d only accept a trade to The Reds. And Bowden STILL lost that trade!
Thank you. Before reading your comment, I was about to say the "former 1999 MLB exec of the year" made enough dumb trades afterwards to get fired.
Luke, thanks for a well balanced analysis with interesting names & stats.
The unsolved mystery (future article?) is strikeouts & strike-zone expansion '24 edition.
I agree in general w/Bowden on ownership not spending enough for top quality FA position players. However the M's are more than 1 stud position guy away and it didn't seem like there was a Seager/Semian FA combo to be had in '24 off-season.
Fielding a post season team is trying to hit trifectas even for big spenders like Yanks, Mets, Padres, LA's - no sure bets & budget doesn't guarantee even an above .500 record.
Given Stanton's lack of spending, it's more like buying lotto tickets for Dipoto & Hollander.
"If this guy stays healthy, if this guy bounces back", lefty-righty-platoons, etc.
Cruel irony M's castoff Abraham Toro is on the short list.
I 1st heard the goofy Alonso for Hancock/France line, & thought it was the usual New York shills (Rosenthal et al) like the annual "Felix to Yanks for nuttin" floaters back in the day...
Alonso: a not-that-hot-in-'24 FA with Boras as agent to M's for Hancock/France?
Mets would take the deal in a second, Alonso would be out the door after his final M's game.
Agree w/"Bowden ain't too bright" comment below, unless this stinker happens, then it's "Jerry/Justin ain't too bright". Guys who make their money hitting bombs don't sign w/Seattle.
Guys who hit bombs for a living (Griffey, ARod, Cruz) seek hitter-friendly parks; leave Seattle.
T-Mobile isn't just a park, it's the M's business model:
1. Good-defense-light-hit guys: JPs are cheaper than Seagers,
2. Rotating-DH cheaper than Cruz, Ohtani (how's our '24 K-Mart DH workin' out for ya M's?)
3. Pitcher-friendly-dimensions,
4. Platoon-hitters-are-cheaper than guys with good LR splits.
As Stanton said in his '24 interview - he want the M's to be competitive.
For the past 2 years M's were competitive and I bet they'll be competitive throughout '24.
I think M's fans want an in-it-to-win-it owner who spends like SD, NY's, TX, LA etc. - Stanton ain't that guy.
I agree with everything you said. It's too early to see where a trade would help us the most. Keep spreading the playing time around (especially playing to platoon strengths) and reward those that perform with more time. The only place I would get help at this point (if possible without selling the farm) is to add high leverage arms to the bullpen. I believe that Garver, Polanco, and others will continue to improve.