1984Echoes

Thanks Del... So realgm says only one 2nd rounder this year and multiple in the following few years... As for 1st round this year... I like the looks of Cenac and Allen, and even Yaxel Lendeborg as a 3rd option with a higher floor but not as athletic or high-ceiling as the other two. I want to use our 2nd rounder and scouring undrafted's to find a couple of 3&D ball-handlers/ playmakers to give Jenkins some competition. Just my 2 cents.

I think that's a good core. But for championships, they'll need more than just that. IMO... Well... we'll see a lot in this year's playoffs. Maybe enough to know exactly what we are missing and what needs to improve (with better players). Right now it looks like to me they have high quality depth and high quality support players (meaning, there are no stars amongst the rest of the team, but it does look like there are a lot of high floor guys that have bought into the team concept of defense first, and they all contribute something to winning games...). I don't know if the team as constructed today is championship worthy... But again, the upcoming playoffs should indicate weaknesses to work on.

Yep. Thank you for that.

A few post-deadline thoughts: 1) Disappointed Trajan couldn't find some way to add an experienced ball-handler... But maybe that's still possible if there's a released vet that fits. 2) Looking towards next season: and still needing a secondary ball-handler that can run the bench and jump up to the starters to help Cade as needed... are any of Jenkins, Sasser, or Lanier an answer, or at least partially the answer? I think that's a rhetorical question (IMO) because the answer I believe is no. Although Jenkins is getting very close... IMO, that still needs to be addressed in the offseason. 3) I guess that means looking at the draft as one possible avenue... I'm not an expert on college basketball players so anyone with better info/ opinions feel free to speak up. If we end up with the #22 pick, or can trade up a few spots (if needed) to a mid-1st... I think I am looking 1st and foremost at a 3&D Forward. I have my eyes on a power forward: Chris Cenac, Jr. and a small forward: Amari Allen. Do those two qualify? Are they good enough to eventually be a starter? Does one of them fall to the mid-to-late 1st? Do they need to declare? Or are they definitely in this draft? As for a 3&D point guard... yes, we need that too. But I think we can get that in the 2nd round... maybe? How many 2nd rounders do we have this year? I thought 2 or 3 conditional picks were coming our way... but when do we know exactly which ones? Because I think Trajan should take several swings at ball-handlers with range and defense in the 2nd, as well as with undrafted free agents. Sort of a mini-tryout over the summer to find someone that has those capabilities and can stick on the roster. Or even excel. Otherwise, can we still go after free agents such as Dosunmu or similar?

Yes. It was Casper Wells dad. IIRC.

This is still a need that must be addressed. IMO.

I think he will absolutely do that. Hinch loves different angles, eyesight levels, stuff, etc... Most likely trying to mess up hitters' timing... PS; One other aside... Just a guess... But I think Mize's stuff would play up a lot higher if he's in-between the two lefties. I think Flaherty will be Flaherty and not affected by being in the #2 slot. He's either consistently excellent or is inconsistent and doesn't benefit as much as Mize would being the #2. I think Olson is pretty damn consistent. So I don't believe his stuff would play up any more than what he is already. But I'm just guessing. I really do think Mize's stuff would play up so much better in-between the two.

I think Melton is better than him. But experience may win out in that battle. I think Flaherty is better too... when he's pitching well. I don't know what happened last year...? He seemed fine one game and then off the next. I still think he has another 2024 in him. If he does, Olson is 5th best. But if he (Flaherty) pitches like last year, then I would consider Olson 4th best (3rd best in Detroit as I'm just going to guess Melton gets stuck in Toledo). He won't push Mize further down the rotation even though he's proven to be the better pitcher than Mize, when healthy. Just guessing here... but I think Hinch will put Mize higher up in the rotation and keep him there. No matter what Olson does. But again... just guessing. And if Hinch decides Melton has "IT" and keeps him in the Detroit rotation... all bets are off IMO.

No he isn't.

So no pro-rating of any kind means he doesn't fit. Thank you.

I would rather just sign Kwity Paye.

Yeah, ummm... I don't think Olson wins a rotation spot based on "we need to get as many innings out of him in Detroit before he goes on the IL again...". He has the ability to win the 5th spot outright. Heck, he could with the 4th spot or push Flaherty down to the 4th spot... I just think the 5th starter is an open competition and I won't rule out any possibility. Plus... Spring Training injuries so, who knows... ?

Can they fit Saric's PRO-rated contract into the BAE? Or does that not matter (the BAE ALSO pro-rated...)?

If Anderson can impress... They might start both Olson and Melton at Toledo. Olson still has minor league options.

I certainly did. So it's Skubal-Flaherty-Valdez-Mize and a hell of a fight for that 5th spot!

I'm on your side.

SGL has even more to prove than Olson... healthwise. I've never been impressed with Montero. If there's a starter guess as to who might be pushed into the bullpen... It's Montero. He has only two pitches. They're awesome... when both are working and hitting the zone. But it seems like more often than not, one of his pitches isn't working for him, or he's missing the zone, and then he becomes eminently hittable. His WHIP is always around 1.5-ish, both in the majors and the minors. IMO... If there is ANY candidate that would benefit by going to the bullpen and just "letting it fly"... it's Montero.

Hmmm... I didn't know that. Just on a wild guess, Hinch might decide on "veteran" over "young guy" so it may very well be Melton in Toledo. But, also... who knows if Olson will be healthy enough to keep his spot in Detroit? Opening Day could be a rotation of Skubal-Flaherty-Valdez-Melton-Anderson?

Gets moved to Toledo. Need starters at Toledo who are stretched out and can come up and start in Detroit when needed. Injuries happen. 6th starter in Detroit occasionally happens... etc. If they are in the Detroit bullpen... Not stretched out for a 5 or 6 inning start. Melton and Anderson are the most at risk for losing a Detroit rotation spot and getting put into the Toledo rotation. IMO.

Both are unrestricted free agents after this season. Chicago would like something, rather than losing them for nothing. I wonder if several 2nds would be enough for them. PS: Who would you prefer on the bench for the upcoming playoffs: Jenkins/ LeVert/ Huerter? Or White/Dosunmu/Huerter? (Daniss NOT traded, but on the bench behind these 3). IMO, I want a White/Dosunmu combo off the bench, not a Jenkins/ Levert combo. And it's not even close, IMO.

PS: And I STILL want White and Dosunmu. But what does Chicago want...?

How about adding in "BBall Paul"? How could Weaver resist THAT...?!?!

How about Duncan + Holland plus several 1sts for Trey Murphy?

This is just my opinion... But potential draftees in an open-bidding war, and no draft... Means the Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, and a few other teams... Will bid the top 20-ish prospects up to $20 mill, $30 mill, etc... All the best guys, for huge signing bonuses, to only a few teams. Leaving all the other teams in the league... Scraps Maybe it balances out in the end... but I don't think so. I think it overall increases new prospects' signings to greater dollars. I think this is what Lee and other mean...

Outstanding!!!