I think we're looking at a slow gradual improvement in the team's baseline over the next few years. But actual results always differ from the underlying baseline, reflecting injuries and other elements of luck.
Depending upon how the front office allocates the spending power it will have this off-season, our biggest one season improvement in wins and losses could come in 2017.
clvclv (06-30-2016)
I've been consistent in saying that 2017 is a bit of a pipe-dream; and that's PERFECTLY FINE. Don't short circuit the rebuild to cut corners.
One of the biggest obstacles to that is the pressure of opening a new stadium, I wish we had another year before the move lol.
Could be. I think it would be a mistake to totally punt 2017, given the hype it's been given and the importance of establishing a good major league product in the new stadium. I certainly wouldn't do anything rash to be in "win now" mode, but short of rushing players so much that it retards development, they need to try to win. Spend some cash on free agents and see what the kids can do in 2017. While I am a realist that expects a sub .500 2017, I do like to hope. Best case scenario? Swanson and Albies are the real deal and play well in 2017, Adonis continues reasonable (or maybe even slightly plus???) defense and hits near major league average with some power, Freddie has a career year as he reaches his prime, Mallex improves as he has at each level, Inciarte plays as well as last year and Neck is either traded or plays MLB average. Julion pitches close to how he has this year, Folty is healthy and figures it out, Wisler improves a little, Newcomb figures it out and some other starter is a decent four or five. It isn't impossible that most of these things happen and something else unexpected happens for good. That team could compete. Of course, I did say "best case".
Hope springs eternal. Expectations spring.........
They wanted both to play SS so they could decide which would stay there long term. They made that decision, and it's obviously Swanson at SS. Now they want them to play together, so they either had to promote Swanson to AAA, or demote Albies to AA. Since neither was exactly tearing up their respective level, it makes sense to have them play together in AA.
Seems very logical to me. However, they probably jumped the gun with the promotions in the first place. They should have kept Albies at AA the entire time since he is so young, and just promoted Swanson to AA when they decided to have them play together. I think they were overaggressive with their promotions. Folks can poo-poo it all they want, but demoting a guy is NEVER a good thing.
jpx7 (06-30-2016)
That Rangel kid is pitching again for the GCL team today. If you remember, he had 8Ks in 4ip last time. He has 2 in the 1st already. WHO IS HE?!?!
50PoundHead (06-30-2016), jpx7 (06-30-2016), Preacher (06-30-2016)
jpx7 (06-30-2016)