I am really excited about the signing and trade. Garrett makes a strong pen even stronger. And Greinke is a perfect fit for our stadium (huge) and defense (awesome). He is a guy who is going to give us 6-7 innings and a chance to win almost every time out. What the team does with those chances depends on how our offense develops. Which I actually feel good about. Oddly enough (or maybe not so oddly), I think the biggest single key might be Dozier. If he hits like he did the second half of last year, that changes the whole dynamic of the offensive lineup. And we really need him, because it is not realistic to expect Salvy to be as great as he was last year.
I like bringing Greinke back for two reasons. He is one of the most fierce competitors on the mound. He hates getting beat. He doesn't have the live arm he once had, but his control is still spot on. I'm hoping this will rub off on the rest of the staff. He is a winner even if he is well past his prime. Welcome back Zack!
I also like (a lot!) that we got Zack instead of Montas (if that was a real possibility). Why? Because a fool and his prospects (or is it money :)) are soon parted. Yes, Montas is a better pitcher. But we get Zack for just money, without having to give up who knows we would have had to give up to get Montas. Maybe 1 of our top pitching and 1 of our top hitting prospects? Lynch and MJ? Kowar and Vinny? The grass is not always greener. Maybe we do something like that at the deadline, if we are way ahead of schedule and have positive IDs on who are next championship core will be, and really do have a couple of surplus, beyond depth pieces that does not again destroy our sustainability. I am still giddy from yesterday that they put Mondi at SS and Whit in RF (would also be okay with me if they put Witt at SS and Mondi at 3B if they decide Mondi needs some regular time off, as stability between SS and 2B is more important). Spring hope (have not lost any games or had any injuries yet) is very high. At least for a day :) .
Coming back here after a couple of days of thinking about this, and really just liking it more and more. Not just liking the results, but appreciating what GMDM, oops, GMJJ! did here. I was very lukewarm on Minor anyway, so happy to move him. To get a quality bullpen arm like Garrett was maybe more than I hoped. I was thinking we'd eat salary and dump him, or just play out the season with him, so am ecstatic to see them spend some cash to move Minor and get something real back! I am hopeful, and believe, that Greinke will be better than MM, and would be surprised if he's at least not as good. And again, the Royals showed a willingness to spend some money. Aside from that aspect of it, when you look at how they are constructing the bullpen, it is starting to remind you of the days our starters only had to put in about 5 quality innings, then bullpen shutdown time. Not saying this is HDH yet, but it's starting to smell like something good is cooking...
Shame to see Cash Considerations go
Really thought he had a chance to make the opening day roster with a big spring
Looking forward to the White Sox losing their minds after Garrett throws an inch inside.
Nice post, as usual. Thank you.
I am really excited about the signing and trade. Garrett makes a strong pen even stronger. And Greinke is a perfect fit for our stadium (huge) and defense (awesome). He is a guy who is going to give us 6-7 innings and a chance to win almost every time out. What the team does with those chances depends on how our offense develops. Which I actually feel good about. Oddly enough (or maybe not so oddly), I think the biggest single key might be Dozier. If he hits like he did the second half of last year, that changes the whole dynamic of the offensive lineup. And we really need him, because it is not realistic to expect Salvy to be as great as he was last year.
I like bringing Greinke back for two reasons. He is one of the most fierce competitors on the mound. He hates getting beat. He doesn't have the live arm he once had, but his control is still spot on. I'm hoping this will rub off on the rest of the staff. He is a winner even if he is well past his prime. Welcome back Zack!
I also like (a lot!) that we got Zack instead of Montas (if that was a real possibility). Why? Because a fool and his prospects (or is it money :)) are soon parted. Yes, Montas is a better pitcher. But we get Zack for just money, without having to give up who knows we would have had to give up to get Montas. Maybe 1 of our top pitching and 1 of our top hitting prospects? Lynch and MJ? Kowar and Vinny? The grass is not always greener. Maybe we do something like that at the deadline, if we are way ahead of schedule and have positive IDs on who are next championship core will be, and really do have a couple of surplus, beyond depth pieces that does not again destroy our sustainability. I am still giddy from yesterday that they put Mondi at SS and Whit in RF (would also be okay with me if they put Witt at SS and Mondi at 3B if they decide Mondi needs some regular time off, as stability between SS and 2B is more important). Spring hope (have not lost any games or had any injuries yet) is very high. At least for a day :) .
Coming back here after a couple of days of thinking about this, and really just liking it more and more. Not just liking the results, but appreciating what GMDM, oops, GMJJ! did here. I was very lukewarm on Minor anyway, so happy to move him. To get a quality bullpen arm like Garrett was maybe more than I hoped. I was thinking we'd eat salary and dump him, or just play out the season with him, so am ecstatic to see them spend some cash to move Minor and get something real back! I am hopeful, and believe, that Greinke will be better than MM, and would be surprised if he's at least not as good. And again, the Royals showed a willingness to spend some money. Aside from that aspect of it, when you look at how they are constructing the bullpen, it is starting to remind you of the days our starters only had to put in about 5 quality innings, then bullpen shutdown time. Not saying this is HDH yet, but it's starting to smell like something good is cooking...