11 Comments

Just saw a mention of Banister?? Seems like a decent guy to interview.

Free Agents: I have 6 to consider that may have merit. I only looked at hitting, not D so consider that. In my mind most likely first: 1. Adam Duval 2. Max Keplar 3. Conforto 4. E Rosario 5. J Soler 6. Bellinger.

To me Duval and Keplar are best fits to alternate with Y in LF...affordable and gettable. Rosario had worst offensive season at about 755 OPS but seems like someone to consider. Conforto’s first year back after injury was up and down but good track record. Soler best power option but would be expensive. A righty hitter to platoon at DH/LF/RF. Bellinger most expensive. Cf/1b dry good D. Would shift Chas to the platoon with Y in LF/DH. But, bad blood and cost make him most unlikely. If I am Brown, at least have conversations with all.

Still working on players under contract that would require a trade.

In our minors. I see only 3 real possibles: Julks had some good stretches this season so worth a look. P Leon “loud tools” from scouting report. Best arm in our system. Positional flexibility in all OF and 2b. Strike outs biggest issue but lots of regulars in MLB are at or above his level there. Loperfido...minor league POY for us. Positional flexibility.

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Appreciate the info, that’s something that I’m not very good at (figuring out who might fit). Julks had a promising start, but when it went bad it went really bad. I could see another look, as you said there were good stretches and he had power and speed. Is Loperfido ready?

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Loperfido may or may not becready but tools look good. See how he looks in spring. We need some minor leaguers to blossom soon because lucury tax is now a problem. Need cheaper talent.

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What’s interesting is I think he improved his chase rate, which was horrendous in rookie season. But, last homer July 5. 350+ PA. Yikes.

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I dont just give SS to Dubon…compete in spring training. Gives Peña additional reason to fix his hitting. For SS , his BA reg season was ok but his power disappeared. Dont like his stance and bat waggle

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Agree on the power. I took the over 18.5 HR in Vegas in March. 🤡

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Dubon msy be better than Peña though. Peña must fix his batting approach.

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I'd rather see staff work with Peña on his batting approach, rather than just supplant him for Dubie. I think Dubie adds much more value to the team as a multi-position (and occasional long-term) sub.

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I agree with both of you, but don’t believe they’d make the move either way. Much easier to sell benching 21st round Chas for the “feel good” story of Dubon than rookie of year/WS MVP.

Dubon is Myles Straw all over again as a CF.

He could be a great bench player, but is a stretch as an every day player.

Reminds me of Aledmys Diaz who would get scorching hot for a week, then go cold for three weeks…in the end he ends up with an OPS+ of - 100…

To me Pena has much more upside, but yeah, needs some fixin’.

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Chas is our CF. In 2023, of “qualified” CF only two posted better OPS THAN Chas. Bellinger and Robert JR. Dubon needs to compete with Peña for SS job in spring and if he does not win out return to his bench role. Brantley is too big an injury risk at his age to eat up any salary space. I touted him in 2018 before anybody else in free agency. Love the guy but time to move on. Re-sign Neris. Maybe Maton. Find a corner OF/DH to rotate with Y. Also to spell Tuck. I am convinced Tucker just ran out of gas in Sept and Oct. Needs more days off. Cranes budget may be a problem. We need strong addition to SP staff. Cannot do everything we need and stay under luxury tax level unless we make a painful trade. Breggy/Lance candidates. But, just pay the tax.

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I tend to agree on Chas, you won’t find a bigger fan of his (besides his brother:) ). Dubon had a good season and was clutch, but he’s not an every day player on a championship team IMO.

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