kdog

They can't go 0-3 in Maeda, Mize, and Olson games...two were non-competitive and yesterday they lost a close one. Mize had one whiff on 97 pitches. But he induced weak contact.

Then we need to see real baseball trades in the near future. Free agency isn't going to work; And the minor leaguers they like aren't close.

If that's what he wants do, then move forward. We don't need a gm who is waiting around for a future that doesn't exist. But If he can build a contender out of existing pieces, do that...you have to pick a lane. There really isn't a middle path.

Hinch's tone in the losing press conferences is basically an exasperated concession. The other team is good at this and we'll get em tomorrow:

Meh...just a blah product.

They have 2.5 league average or better hitters in the lineup...I can't really get upset about the offense right now.

Can't get demolished in non Skubal/Flaherty games...that would be my goal for today.

They kept him up here for a reason...knowing he was terrible in spring training with velocity. We won't know that he's figured things out until he comes back up and does it for more than two months.

I'm not trading for a 33 year old guy 5 years left on a bad contract. If the alternative is waiting for the next wave of prospects, I guess I'd choose that. There have to be upgrades that don't have boat anchor contracts.

Olson wasn’t going have a sub 2 Era…some regression was due. But he has give them innings after maeda’s injury.

I'm certainly cynical about all rebuilds in sports. We' ve been told by organizations in every league that we need to tank to rebuild..we need to re-align our payroll. Spending is secondary. How do you build a team if 3 guys(Manning, Mize, and Tork) all turn out to be mid at best? That's my test for Harris. Maybe their development team uncovers some hidden gems. Like we said earlier, Wenceel might be the proxy for Meadows? Today, I don't see the path to build a real sustainable contender with the current holes on the roster and the talent level of the upper minors(offense).

In the Harris/Ilitch team building model, they need a constant stream of players coming up from the minors...think Cleveland, Milwaukee, Tampa. But what happens if there is a gap in player development or if a top draft pick falters? How do you fix the holes on your roster if free agency isn't on the table? (Free agency is imperfect...you are often overpaying for bums who are past their prime)

I read a brewers blog...the only true starting pitcher available this weekend is Peralta..the other two games are going to be openers and bullpen games.

Good post.

I hope you're right. I'm tired of restarting the cycle.

Not crazy...but will he hold onto Flaherty and other guys if they are still in this position a month from now?

The replacement level on Tork isn't as high for 2B, SS, and 3B. You need decent numbers from that position.

I would love to see it. We don't know yet if Harris is ready to take risks and make baseball trades. I don't think they are going to be adding veterans on long term contracts. Petzold's take was that Harris is going to point to the McGonigle, Briceno, and Clark wave as the next stage of contention. It might be guess work but I don't see a path of making this team good unless he is ready to multiple major league hitters to the team.