Re: General Discussion

13426
Team is in a lot of turmoil right now. I think that most of the team is upset that the FO did not really add anyone to help right now. (Thor is a real longshot.) Nobody is happy about the departure of Rosario, Civale and Bell. Players have to face the business reality that good team players do not always get rewarded for their effort.

Josh Naylor got really upset that the FO said they had their first baseman of the future. Jose is missing Rosario. Kwan has been upset all season because he did not get a long term extension like Gimenez.

Re: General Discussion

13427
Loss of Bell is not a big deal: he can't play first base and offered little offense
Loss of Rosario is not a big deal: terrible defense and decent offense
Loss of Civale is not a long-term big deal: pitching great the past month but hasn't had a full healthy season in years,

But loss of all 3 with addition of no one other than veteran pitcher with ERA of over 7 and no strikeout pitch is a big deal.

Absolutely terrible work by the front office since the end of last season, the most fun year for Cleveland baseball in decades

Two absolutely terrible free agent signings waste money they don't have to spare
Their constantly reiterated commitment to give the young guys a chance didn't apply to former top draft picks Nolan Jones and Will Benson, who clearly did not inspire great confidence from their minor league careers but could play the OF and possibly supply some power. Traded both with the standard return of some more infielders and very young minor leaguers
Lousy 2022 draft does not restock the farm system.
Not their fault that all the starting pitchers broke down. Get good credit for the young kids who've stepped in.
Now at the trade deadline they claim to be looking for upgrades to the offense but can't find anyone they're willing to deal some of their many many young infield prospects for.

Are awards given to the Worst Organization of the Year? Chris Antonetti is in the running

Re: General Discussion

13429
Here is the bottom line that sunk this season:

1. Trying to upgrade at catcher = disaster. Now shit Hedges is coveted and traded to a contender. Do not sleep on this..St. Louis totally tanked trying to replace defensive whiz Yadier Molina. It's a real thing for pitchers. If we had gotten hitting elsewhere we could have kept defense with Hedges.
2. Josh Bell acquisition looked so good and he bombed.
3. Gimenez has been a mere shadow of what he was last season.
4. Bieber first mediocre then out - Dr. Stix a non factor. That's your top 2 starters.


That is a pretty huge load of misfortune to overcome. Bring on the auditions because realistically that's all the last 2 months are good for. The way this team turned out they are in no way contenders.

That said, auditions can be fun. All kinds of good vibes from our big 3 kid starting pitchers.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain

Re: General Discussion

13431
Spring training Part 2 = August and September.

Look if you look at 2024 the pitching rotation looks quite bright. REALLY bright.

The St Louis Cardinals - with far more talent and payroll than we have just did the exact same thing we did.

You do have to remember that being a "seller" this year was extra profitable. Only 1/3 of the league sold since the other 2/3 thought they were contenders for the extra playoff spot.

How about the Twins??? They did absolutely nothing - zero.

No one wants this division!!!
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain

Re: General Discussion

13435
Thought this was interesting - Eric Cross knows his stuff.

Eric Cross
@EricCross04
The top 12 prospects to be dealt at the deadline per my rankings...

Kyle Manzardo
Luisangel Acuña
Drew Gilbert
Dominic Canzone
Ryan "Fringe" Clifford
Ryan Bliss
Thomas Saggese
Cesar Prieto
Kahlil Watson
Jake Eder
Jackson Wolf
Zack Showalter
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain