It’s all a matter of perspective. I’m choosing to be optimistic and not just assume it’s all going to crumble based on 2025’s misfortunes.
I will reiterate that my optimism will be substantially dimmed if (a) Snitker isn’t replaced and (b) meaningful upgrades aren’t made in FA this offseason.
The position-player core is still very good. There’s a couple aces on the IL that will return in 2026 (plus López, who’s very good, irrespective of how he’s deployed). The young pitching depth is very solid (with Waldrep looking great in MLB; Ritchie and Fuentes in AAA; Owen Murphy back; AJSS...
The future is still bright. Sad some of you don’t have the mental fortitude to bear one hiccup season in the midst of the great run. But I guess when you’re projecting psychological weakness on the players, you’re really projecting.
Caminiti and, recently, Waldrep pushing hard against that narrative. I think Southisene can be a good one, too.
Now on the IFA side, that does seem to be the trend.
I don’t think the contention is that it’s shitty per se. The contention is that, while solid, it’s not an elite death-pitch splitter, just a useable pitch that needs to be properly sequenced with other quality pitches to be optimally effective.