Linus

I’m not worried about metrics at this point. He’s got the athleticism to be a big leaguer - now we just hope for good progress.

Not exactly sure what you are trying to say but I doubt Kendle, who is 25 and in AA is a solution to the problems Roden solves.

I don’t see a problem. There is a half a chance that EmRod really struggles. He is the very definition of boom or bust. If it’s bust Roden is a nice backup plan. To a lesser degree you can say the same thing about Jenkins - he might have to go back to AAA for a minute. Or Buck isn’t healthy- there are all kinds of scenarios where Roden is needed.

Well now we are going to come full circle on an issue near and dear to your heart. I haven’t noticed as much of the platoon rigidness in the playoffs. These teams tend to have good players and they let them play. To me, that’s what the ultimate solution is. Having said that, the list of free agent DHs is dismal so maybe we will see Trevor in the playoffs next year. I’m so confident of that I am willing to bet a substantial amount of your money on it 😀

Possibly. He’s a useful role player but he is not a starter on a playoff team. But that’s, just my opinion man.

Me too. I like discussing trades conceptually because you are discussing ideas that we can all know and debate. Once specific players are named I find it less useful. I have no way of knowing how the Twins or Diamondbacks view / value Jordan Lawler so any specific suggestions I would make are not that useful. I tend to think Larnachs value is fairly depressed because good teams have better options and poor teams don’t need 30 year old, poor defenders that are platoon protected. That observation and 50 cents won’t get you a cup of coffee because there might be team that values that production more highly. So we wait and see. I mean, when you look at the list of free agent DHs, Larnachs 121 ops+ is not bad it just depends on how you value players.

Two things I won’t count on: information from Charley Walters and a salary cap / floor.

Jackson is also a decent runner, especially for a catcher. I can see what they liked in him as a backup or third catcher. I don’t understand the roster handling of him but that can be added to the rather lengthy list of things I don’t understand 😀

I think this is a reasonable approach as obtaining players via free agency or trade isn’t the same as going to the store and picking out what you want. I would add that I believe the people thinking Houston is up next year in any meaningful way are going to be disappointed. He still has two levels to conquer with the bat and that is not insignificant.

Sorry but this is another example of a Falvey evaluation philosophy that was just flawed. That is, bat first guys that can’t run or field. GG is a non factor.

Not to make an off color comment but anyone that goes home to Kate Upton is admired by this aging gentleman.

What happened to Harry Ford of the Mariners? He was kind of Lackey light for a while there.

I think the elephant in the room on all the decisions written about on this site is this: are you really trying to win in 2027 or are you pointing towards 2028? Full disclosure: I am not interested in having a conversation about what TP said because I don’t believe they were truly trying to win last year until the AL was so historically bad that they got their bluff called. If you are going to reload for a year then just make Alex Jackson your backup, and by the way trade Joe Ryan and any other expiring contracts. I personally don’t think they are set up to win in 2027 but they could have been if they had leadership in 2025.

I really agree with your “lots of moving pieces” description. It’s kind of been that way for the last several years which is why this concerns me some.

Agree. The lineup needs a change and both players represent that opportunity.