SonofaRoache

And Sox fans were fed up with the lack of success and limited spending. They earned the anger and have to take it as part of the job. Bears fans are pissed at management, and they've had more success than the Sox in recent years.

Managers need talent to win for sure. But TLR has advanced many teams in the post season regardless of their in season success. We made the playoffs with 88 wins in 2008 and would have gladly taken a title that year. When I look at a manager I want to know if he can take a talented roster into the playoffs and advance while in them. TLR has proven he can do that. Now, I do understand the concerns about the layoff and his personality. But my response was to questioning his potential success because of his WS victories and not the rest of the picture.

How many World Series appearances has TLR made? How many Championship Series appearances has he made? How many manger of the year awards has he won? How many division titles has he won? The odds are that no manager will do that here. It is a very difficult thing to do. All you can ask for is having a chance to win a WS. And TLR's teams more often than not have a chance.

Yeah but with a trade.

The best news all year so far is Kopech saying he realized he needs this game. I figured he opted out because of Covid and personal reasons, but I feared he may not have that burning desire to play this game. Good to hear from him because he will be a great one.

If Kopech has an innings limit bring him up in early June.

Yep. Perception is the key here. But Tim has the chance to prove the list makers and narrative wrong. He will have many chances on National TV.

So far we have Robert Moncada Lynn Gio Hendricks Jimenez Grandal

Tim falls in the rankings because of the errors. He makes a lot plays that other SS's cannot, but nationally, folks look at errors as a sign of a bad defensive player.

ESPN has our starting rotation ranked 9th in the MLB. The Athletic has our farm system ranked 22nd in the MLB.

This could be us.

I haven't been paying that close of attention but LOL at the Cubs rotation. No way those names can be true, can they?

Robert and Nick were coming to a team not expected to win a title. We can't afford for Vaughn to come up and struggle this year as our DH. Next year would be okay because our offense would probably work the kinks out this year. If Robert and Moncada need some time to figure things out to start this season, you don't also want your DH figuring stuff out too. As far as Kopech goes, he will get his shot to compete in June. Adding an extra starter in the lower tier gives you a guy who can throw innings until Kopech is ready and replace him or Cease if they are struggling. Said pitcher would transition to the bullpen if Kopech and Cease are pitching well.

Gio, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Please don't blow your arm throwing a new pitch your body isn't used to, that would be the real downer.

I don't think our team should be capped. We should be spending within reason to win our division championships. That is how you sustain success and get Chicago behind you. That is how you get long term large crowds, tv coverage and marketing opportunities. I don't understand why we couldn't at least sign a solid pitcher to a one year deal. No reason to not try with Nelson Cruz either on a one year deal and let Vaughn come up if Cruz sucks or next season. These are low cost short commitment type moves that get you the division and a great shot in post season. I understand not going huge on Bauer and Springer (although I don't agree) because those are longer deals. But no excuse for penny pinching on one year deals for good players.

I agree. You can't simulate the baseball experience, but you can still throw tough pitches to a guy and make him field.

But then can Schaumburg truly tell us the full story? I don't think you can compare it to the pressure of traveling, opposing crowds jeering you,jone crowds placing pressure on you, being reported in the papers, being watched on TV and followed by fans, etc. You also have to factor in seeing different players and other teams game planning for you in a way you won't see coming. There are many benefits to the team controlled avenue, but it just can't be viewed the same as the minors. This being said, Vaughn clearly grew there so if he looked that good I'm on board.

The key to a big run (5 to 7 years of success) is to do the following. 1. Identify 4 position players that are must haves and make sure they are here for at least 5 years. We have 5. Robert, Eloy, Vaughn, Moncada, Madrigal These are our cornerstone everyday players. These are five guys and you plug in draft picks and free agents around them. 2. Identify two pitchers who are must haves and here for 5 plus years. Kopech and Crochet. These are your concerstones and you can plug in 3 to 5 in the rotation with picks and free agents. If you notice we have five cornerstone position players and two pitchers here for 5 plus years already. That is a great start to achieve long term success. We also have in house guys that may be productive players in Cespedes, Cease, and Kelley. We have Gio for three more years and he may leave, but if Kopech, Crochet, and Cease can man the fort up top, you can sign a cheap vet on a short deal if you can't keep Gio. Tim Anderson is here another 4 years and if he leaves, you need to probably have a top draft pick or IFA ready to step in to give you solid production. Those are the only two guys we are in danger of losing in less than 5 years that truly matter. Tim's replacement may need to be acquired in a year or two. Gio will have no replacement, but we should have three guys for at least 5 years that can be TOR arms. So again, the key will be to have an established core of guys, and then fill in as necessary. We have a strong core that will be here at least 5 to 6 years from now. We need to have a quality draft and free agency plan to acquire productive players for cheap. It is doable. The hard part is having 5 cornerstone position players and two top pitchers for 5 to 6 years, which we will have even if you don't include Gio and Timmy. Lastly, i didn't include bullpen because they are volatile and can be traded for or purchased at a moments notice. Bringing back guys like Lynn and Abreu won't impact the 5 to 7 year window. I'm pointing out the necessities for keeping this ride going.

Things even themselves out over time.

Robert was a 101 last year. I don't see a path for Vaughn being higher than 101 to 110. He will probably fall somewhere between there if he .ages adjustments and improves as the season goes on. I'd prefer he be in the minors and that we sign Cruz. It's easier to stomach Vaughn next season if he struggles as we'd really know where the team stands by then. Hed have a spot to grow through the pains without hurting wins and losses.

The Dodgers and Twins got nice production from 4 and 5 last season. We have a nice staff with potential, but having a stronger 4 or 5 to start the season gives you a better shot at the playoffs and protects you against injuries. You also need guys to eat innings so that your bullpen doesn't burn out by the end of the season.

Got it, thanks. So now Portillo's will send his info to Al's Valentines Beef.

What happened to Portillo's?

That and Rodon has been injured alot, bad, and is a Boras client.

This notion that the baseball bracket is random is false. The top teams will make the playoffs in any given year. The champion is more often than not a team that deserved the title. The last several Champs. Dodgers- deserving Nationals- got really hot, but had great pitching for years but couldn't get past the Cubs. Red Sox- deserving Astros- deserving based on results Cubs- deserving Royals- deserving Giants- deserving Red Sox- deserving I get that a short series can go either way, but the cream mostly rises to the top. Last year the Dodgers and Rays were the two best teams in each league coming into the season, during the season, and in the playoffs. They advanced even with a short season and expanded playoffs.