I agree with you...but as I've pointed out in various places...you have to decide if Abreu & Colome are part of the future. If they are then extend them so we have certainty. If FO deems they are not part of the future there will never be a better time for trade. You do not have to trade for prospects but can often trade for really good players blocked by their current clubs or simply have an oversupply such as Atlanta with pitching or LA with outfielders.
If the FO agrees with you we will extend Colome and Abreu soon. If they think the window is further out they are massive trade chips not unlike Eaton and Q. We are in the catbird seat IMO.
Neither would I, I'm saying their are highly drafted people who are expendable to some organizations. Some guy is good but blocked, etc. You don't need to settle for some 50-100 crap shot.
Half this board thinks Madrigal is nothing and guys like him are a dime a dozen. Those same people would give a #3 like Madrigal away in a deal for a closer if that stood between winning or not. All of a sudden the thought is that 50-100 is the price. Wait it out...someone will pay up.
Colome is not going anywhere for the likes of Narvaez. For someone that views their need for a back of rotation arm to be the missing piece...you can extract a very stiff price. Ask a Cub fan about that.
All of us want to keep him and this discussion is mostly about wouldn't it be cheaper now than after the year. I'm in the earlier the better camp but don't care much because it's Jerry's money. RH does better with extensions than just about anyone. I'll trust him to figure it out.
I have been impressed by Chris Getz (director of player development) and Justin Jirschele (29 year old manager of Dash) as examples of new blood in player development. Getz said during this past week "watch what you see in the second half." Was very confident our prospects are coming and coming fast. Jirschele will blow your "Sox Off" when you hear him speak. Smart analytics guy.
It wouldn't hurt if Ricky tried this new idea of a reliever starting the game. Covey and Banuelos look like ideal candidates for trying out this concept.