I am the low man around here on Waters, so sure. This isn't the type of trade we've ever seen AA make in Atlanta, so I'm not sure it's anything worth pondering too much.
true and fair. just dreaming...
I am the low man around here on Waters, so sure. This isn't the type of trade we've ever seen AA make in Atlanta, so I'm not sure it's anything worth pondering too much.
What if AA really goes for it? How about DJ Lemahieu, an excellent (and expensive) hitter, to rotate between 2B, 3B, LF, and DH? Potentially Riley could move to LF. He has less power than Ozuna but should age more gracefully.
I am the low man around here on Waters, so sure. This isn't the type of trade we've ever seen AA make in Atlanta, so I'm not sure it's anything worth pondering too much.
LaStella made sense to me b/c he can hit and can be passable at 3B, LF and maybe DH. Also likely a two year deal w/o a ton of money.
I looked into Semien as a potential 3B option b/c of the lack of RH bats. The problem is, how good of a hitter is he? He had one monster year. He has been speculated to consider a one year deal to prove he's a good hitter, so maybe that makes sense. But it is a risk.
It looks like no DH. So guys like Lastella, Semien, Profar make more sense to me now. Finding that RH bat if it's not Ozuna or Springer gets tough.
Whit Merrifield would be an interesting option too given RH bat and positional versatility. But what is he going to cost? He's good but not great. Value is in the contract for a good player.
Given the current craziness everywhere else around the league this is probably the time it's worth pondering for the first time though. While it's still pretty unrealistic to expect a big deal for someone who's already making money (Harper/Lindor/etc.), it's probably at least worth wondering whether he'd finally cash several chips in if a deal for a difference-maker that's affordable for a few years that would give us multiple shots at winning while you've still got Acuna/Albies/Fried/Soroka/Anderson in place and all signs point to Freddie accepting a reasonable extension.
If there ever was a time to back up the truck for a Jose Ramirez/Suarez/Chapman/Devers type, this is probably that time.
La Stella has never played an inning of OF as a professional. I don't know how it is anyone could think he could be plugged in out there. I could probably live with him as the 3B, but he's no great shakes anywhere on the diamond except in the batter's box.
I've seen Ozuna and Gattis in LF.
La Stella is not especially athletic, so he might be an exception. My guess is he wouldn't be as good in left as Riley.
I do agree with your general sentiment.
However, if by "back the truck up" you mean guys like Pache and Anderson, then I completely disagree. AA should never, ever, trade prospects with impact potential. Those assets are absolutely critical to sustaining competitiveness for MLB teams.
If by "back the truck up" you mean consolidating guys who project to be 1-2 WAR players for impact MLB players, then I agree wholeheartedly. My opinion is that AA has been a bit too conservative with those types of prospects, especially when ultra-poor teams like the Rays and As value them so highly. Obviously, it's silly of me to criticize anything AA or the Dodgers do with those low end MLB players after all the success they've enjoyed doing exactly the opposite of my opinion, but I do feel like there may have been opportunities to cash in guys like Camargo, Riley, Wilson, etc for real MLB players. Instead, AA and the Dodgers seem to prefer to hold onto those guys, almost as much as poor teams like the Rays and As.
I've seen Ozuna and Gattis in LF.
AA hasnt made a big prospect for star player trade yet. But the team is VERY close to a WS, if not now when?
You can probably thank the loss of international picks for that. If AA makes a big-time trade and it turns out terribly for Atlanta, it could be devastating for the farm system. I totally get and agree with the sentiment but I'm guessing that's part of the thinking.
I do agree with your general sentiment.
However, if by "back the truck up" you mean guys like Pache and Anderson, then I completely disagree. AA should never, ever, trade prospects with impact potential. Those assets are absolutely critical to sustaining competitiveness for MLB teams.
If by "back the truck up" you mean consolidating guys who project to be 1-2 WAR players for impact MLB players, then I agree wholeheartedly. My opinion is that AA has been a bit too conservative with those types of prospects, especially when ultra-poor teams like the Rays and As value them so highly. Obviously, it's silly of me to criticize anything AA or the Dodgers do with those low end MLB players after all the success they've enjoyed doing exactly the opposite of my opinion, but I do feel like there may have been opportunities to cash in guys like Camargo, Riley, Wilson, etc for real MLB players. Instead, AA and the Dodgers seem to prefer to hold onto those guys, almost as much as poor teams like the Rays and As.
Seems like what the Dodgers do is keep younger cheap guys and put them in the best situation to succeed. Then leverage that savings elsewhere.
They don't seem to fall in love with them or try and extend them the way Coppy did with Inciarte or Teheran.