First, I'm hoping this doesn't turn into a whining thread. This team was terrible last year, and is competitive this year....
A month ago, I was all in for dealing for a legit starter and two RPs. While I don't think this is an elite team, it is a good to very good team. Unfortunately, they have really struggled and are much closer to .500 than they were.
I still like the offense, as inconsistent as it can be. But, man, losing your second, third, and fourth best OFers for the year is tough to overcome. I think this is where I and many here depart. No team should be expected to overcome that, and yet many here are angry that they don't have replacements. I think that's unrealistic. This is part one of why my thoughts have changed.
Part two is the starting pitching. Ryan has not been the same since COVID. Ober, who I figured for about 100 innings is out. Maeda is not here in relief yet, and may not be. And, if the Castillo package is the price, well, this team is too far from great to pay that price, even if they could. Miranda is untouchable for me, barring some insane offer. Archer can't go five, which I thought he would by now. Winder is out for the year? That leaves Gray and Ryan and three question marks. I just don't see it.
So, I guess I'd pay small prices for a RP or two. But I just don't see the logic in making a big trade for a player with less than two plus years of control at this point.
I'm not a seller, but I'm not an aggressive buyer anymore.
That said, I think this year is a big improvement on last year, and am not at all disappointed with the progress they've made.
Edit.... Apparently I'm wrong on Kepler being out the rest of the year. That makes me less likely to sell. I feel AK is out, no matter what the twins are doing at this point. And Larnach? September?