QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 9, 2013 -> 03:42 PM)
I guess I just don't see the team as a piece or two away. The pitching will regress, too. While the hitting/defense shouldn't be THIS bad, the pitching shouldn't be THIS good. We've gotten a ton out of Axelrod, for example. And you still don't have anyone that can get on base. I think Konerko retires. You've still got a lot of money tied up in Dunn that you can't re-allocate, an Rios too if we keep him. If we had $40-50m to add to payroll, I'd agree, but I guess we just don't agree on what this group is capable of.
Also, I'm not talking about tearing it down completely, I'm just talking about punting 2014. All that good pitching will still be here in 2015, with the exception of Peavy (who could still be here but I'd like to trade as well). I think that Rios' return would have more 2015 value than Rios, AND you get to reallocate his salary.
Assumption and no one ever said this team was a piece or two away.