EricOwens!

Nice signing but the Ronny injury put a huge damper on this

His swing is so nice

Would’ve thought we could get something for our BPs but I guess value wasn’t there. With Cal, I think Bendix was fine keeping him in case we traded Eddy and Sandy just to have a veteran eat some innings down the stretch. Once it became obvious that no trades were happening for either it was probably too late in the process to negotiate a Cal trade, especially if a lot of the target teams already acquired someone. Regardless, Cal’s return wasn’t moving the needle. I’m just happy Sandy wasn’t move and Bendix waited for value and walked away when it wasn’t met. Nothing was forced.

Cam Smith is the only headliner that makes it worth it imo

We have a legit chance to compete next year and trading Cabrera, Bender, and Sanchez still nets you a load of prospects to extend your window. It’s just about being balanced. Ending this year on a high note is also just generally good and will get fans excited for next season. Sell pieces that make sense, but don’t just totally shit on the team.

Opening up an OF spot was a positive point to moving Jesus because there’s plenty of competition that qualified

3 games under and going for a sweep in MIL tomorrow…I think this kills the idea of trading Sandy, Cabrera, and Cal. That’s signaling defeat with a hot team and I don’t care who you bring up to replace them, it’s not going to be an improvement. I’m still leaning towards trading Cabrera, Bender, and Jesus as priorities. Cabrera gives you your haul of two AA/AAA top 100 prospects that may even be able to help right now plus 1-2 younger high upside guys to fill A/A+. Bender gets you a fringe top 100 guy and can be replaced easily. Sanchez gets you two top 30 guys in some teams farm to fill out the farm depth, let’s Marsee come up which may be an immediate upgrade, and opens up an OF spot for next year. All three of these moves make you better next year hopefully and most likely don’t kill our momentum (Cabrera is hard to replace but worth selling high on). If you want to make an argument for Fortes, Cal, Dane, and other BP guys then I’m all ears, but while each of these guys individually aren’t a huge loss I think it’d be hard to replace in the aggregate this season. Sandy is still a hard no IMO, but I fear he is even more likely to be traded than Cabrera because of his salary which is very disappointing. We shall see.

Exactly. 260 average, 92 average EV, 115 max EV….8 HR. Very frustrating. If you can get something then go for it, we have plenty of LF OF depth and will probably pick up some more OF talent at the deadline

If there’s a good deal then trade him yes, but I’ve never seen someone make such hard contact and have such mid HR numbers.

I think you trade Cabrera for a haul assuming he comes back fine from the injury. Love him but his value is sky high rn, he has 3 years of control, and he’s an injury risk. Also not a Bendix guy. I think you can get 2 top 100 guys for him with one being top 50. Add a couple lower end scratch offs and that’s a good trade. I also pursue deals for Bender and to a lesser extent Sanchez (I think he has another gear he could tap into). Bender could get you a couple of good prospects, maybe one high in the top 100. I listen on other BP arms except Ronny (one more year of this kind of play and he’ll have Scott-like value). Those three guys alone can get you 3 top 100 guys and a few fliers. That’s huge. Also instantly replaced by Marsee, Mazur, and one of our lights out AA bullpen arms (there like 5 of them, also where are Nardi and Cronin?). Staff takes a step back but lineup and bullpen probably stay the same or get better. Maybe there’s some buy low MLB talent you can swing at too if you want to be buyers. I also pass on trading Sandy. Don’t see a point. In the offseason give me a Eury extension and one corner infield impact signing/trade and let’s ride.

Arquette with elite power and arm Cannarella elite speed and glove Compton elite power Williams dunno much about Good to get some elite traits. Development will be key as always. All college means if they do well we could see in 2 years.

Back in the preseason predictions thread I said this team had the best offense of the new ownership and you guys FUDed me out of my position. Never again

No I don’t think so. Caba’s glove is elite. Salas is “just” good

Look what he’s doing at 17 in low A is insane. On base machine, speed, and projectable above average/great defense in the infield is incredibly valuable. Basically a more productive version of Caba while 2 years younger. But he needs some projectable power before he’s considered our top prospect. Maybe he grows into his 6’2 frame and shows some pop. If he does that he can be considered a truly elite prospect. To be seen. It’s possible

Nope

Luzardo trade still looks suspect even though I like Caba but otherwise he’s been great. We actually have player development now which is cool. Clock ticking in reverse

Don’t get too hooked on the clock comment, it’s a joke from the Ng days. And I’m not moving any goalposts. I was fine with Bendix coming in and rebuilding. My point is that starting in August and especially into 2026 I expect a competitive/fun team with the core built around Bendix-acquired prospects, draft picks, FA signings plus Edwards and Sandy. Anything less and his rebuild will officially move into disappointment territory at best, failure at worst.

I assumed opening day lineups so take out Bell and Burger, but yeah you’re probably right. Pre opening day optimism makes me say stupid things sometimes

I actually tend to agree with this. Shame the staff is so bad.

Most of these points are pretty standard for a small market rebuild: accumulate prospects, promote them, make a few key signings, proactive extensions, continue to draft well to keep the train rolling. I expected nothing less than this. I guess what I’m saying is Bendix’s clock starts in August.

They are going to suck this year and I’m prepared for that, however a successful 2 year plan must include all of the following: 1) successful drafts in 2025 and 2026 2) AA/AAA prospects like Ramirez, DDLS, Snelling, Mazur etc being elevated by August with the majority showing promise 3) not trading Sandy 4) successfully developing and trading a few relievers at the deadline/offseason 5) Sandy and Edwards continuing to be elite, Eury returning to form post injury 6) spending some money in the offseason to actually aim to compete in 2026 (still bottom 5-10 payroll but that’s still a big increase) If all of these happen and we compete to be around .500 in 2026 then we’re in good shape with White, Meyers, Caba, and Head ready to come up late 2026/2027. Not holding my breathe

I don’t think they’ll trade him. I’m ready to be hurt again

Team Record: 64-98 Hits: Edwards (202) HR: Conine (13) RBI: Bride (73) Runs Scored: Edwards (idk) Stolen Bases: Edwards (47) Wins: Sandy (15) Losses: Cal (14) Saves: Faucher (23)

I can deal with an ass lineup while we wait for the guys in the minors to come up mid/next year, but having Eury, Garret, and Weathers out long term on opening day and watching nobodies pitch the majority of games is brutal.