I'm not going to freak out over the pen right now. I think Hale is going to be a solid addition when Minor is ready to go. Carpenter/Walden have looked good IMO and I am not going to freak out over Avilans start this year just yet.
I imagine that after going over budget with Santana we have very limited funds for mid-season acquisitions. Also I think it is a bit early to say the pen is the area we should spend what limited funds we have. I'm hoping by the end of the season to have a pen that looks like this: Kimbrel, Walden, Carpenter, Hale, Venters, Avilan, Thomas.
It is unclear that replacing one of those guys with Gregg would give us much of a boost if any. Gregg's FIP numbers the past 3 seasons: 4.89, 5.04, 4.10. His xFIP numbers: 4.86, 4.80. 4.38. Color me unimpressed.
Don't they have a ton of IF bats coming?
I imagine that after going over budget with Santana we have very limited funds for mid-season acquisitions. Also I think it is a bit early to say the pen is the area we should spend what limited funds we have. I'm hoping by the end of the season to have a pen that looks like this: Kimbrel, Walden, Carpenter, Hale, Venters, Avilan, Thomas.
It is unclear that replacing one of those guys with Gregg would give us much of a boost if any. Gregg's FIP numbers the past 3 seasons: 4.89, 5.04, 4.10. His xFIP numbers: 4.86, 4.80. 4.38. Color me unimpressed.
Don't they have a ton of IF bats coming?
The Cubs and Astros have been held up by some as examples of how to rebuild and the Phillies have been held up as an example of how to perpetuate mediocrity. I'm not sure I like either approach. Maybe I'm spoiled as a Braves fan but it seems to me the ideal is to reload without too many years in the wilderness.
That's always been the Royals' problem.
I'm not going to freak out over the pen right now. I think Hale is going to be a solid addition when Minor is ready to go. Carpenter/Walden have looked good IMO and I am not going to freak out over Avilans start this year just yet.