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2022 Season | Series #11 | Guardians @ Twins | May 13-15, 2022

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So, I guess some people play poker on bluffing ... just go all in and keep on going in no matter your hand..... only to blow their wad too early and have nothing when you get 3 ACES without even drawing more (Williams, Espino, Clase and maybe Burns, Allen Jr, Battenfield ....as you kings/Queens).

I never said I didn't want to go to the playoff because we are unlikely to go far. I said I DO NOT want to waste our future assets because we are unlikely to go far based on our current pitching.

I said that if we needed a RF because we are in the hunt due to our pitching getting better by trade deadline, we can get one for CHEAP in July/August. And, as pitching is bound to get better, statistically, our hitting will regress some (but not to prior year levels). It is just stats and math and odds. And, I SAID we had a better chance with Espino/Williams/Burns and Allen JR .... than Plesac, Civale and hurt Bieber (but was encouraged by his last start).

I have said in the past that I like the FO approach of not going all in on guys until we have the cornerstones of a WS team like 2016. I have said that yes, some teams like KC will get lucky and draw that straight flush with 3 cards to win the big hand at the end of the night but more often than not teams waste their assets like Texas this year with 2 big FA too early and things never materialize. With limited assets, we cannot be like Texas but need to be more calculated.

But, again just like others put words in my mouth, I am fine that you think I want to watch the Gaurdians to lose (I have probably watched all but 4-7 games so far live and those were West coast or Softball night with my daughter). But, I know I am different than a lot of people and thus said ..."But, I know I differ from others, a playoff run that ends with barely 1 win in first series is not good enough for me. I rather keep our surplus till we have 1-2 (maybe 3) holes to fill." WHERE did I say I wanted them to not make the playoffs? If they make it ... I will be a big cheerleader for them.

But, what I have said and the FO modus operandi is to only do the big spend for situations like the 2016 run when we had the 4th best odds at the All-Star break to win WS (some other sites may have had us top-8). Thus, we bought 2 key pieces to our run (only to have one/LuCroy back out). I even cheered the move and said if you are going to overspend from prospect wise (go all in) ... get both. Hell Yes!!!

But, we also forget as fans what Bimbo said about FO spending that somewhere around $100 million is our sweat spot (you can look for it if you want to be more precise). We will sometimes operate under it when we have a lot of young talent (like 2022 and 2023) and over it when we can make a run like in 2016 era (maybe for 2024 and 25, 26 based on how I see the prospect pipeline busting). But, we are not going to have unlimited payroll for ever. Yes, I would love a Santander/Hayes or other power RF (that will cost $5 mill, $10 mill or $15 million over next 3 years if we go all out on someone better) if we had unlimited means but we don't even have that even with what appears to be a lower current payroll (as no one cares about 2024 payroll under this 2022 playoff or bust scenario).

I have posted in the past that most of our payroll increases under this current model of players will hit Guaridians limit in 2024 even without adding anyone and getting rid of dead weight like Hedges, Rosario, Mercado, etc. ... gets worse if we add stud RF that will cost us $15+ million in 2024.

2023 Not an issue at $70 million projected - Details -- Per SportRac we are at $67 million this year 2022 with $22 million salary for Ramirez per final contract (signing bonus or whatever). Jose goes back to $14 million next year so $59 million ... but we add Quantrill, Naylor and Maile to Arb-1 status so $3-4 million range. We can probably ditch Hedges $4 million and ditch Rosario $5 million (unless you want to keep them for a playoff run)? But, we also got to bump Bieber from $5 million to maybe $10-12 million for Arb 2 and Reyes $4.55 to maybe $8-$9 (so net about $9-10 million as Quant, Naylor and Maile increase is offset by loss of Hedges and Rosario - figure one catcher with Lavastida). This is not the problem as we are at $70 million for 2023....

2024 - Payroll becomes a problem at $110 million with Reyes and Bieber -- Details: Add $3 for Ramirez, $2 for Straw, $1 for Clase ... another $8-$10 for both Reyes and Bieber and maybe add $8 million for Quantril and Naylor for Arb-2, the big issue is we have 8 players who will hit that $3-$4 million Arb-1 area that are in our core Kar, Gimenez, Plesac, Civale, McK, Stephan, Sandlin, Hentges so that is maybe $20+ million as we drop Maile and maybe 1 reliever. So here is $40+ million (maybe up to $50 million).... to bring that $70 million to $110 million at our normal end of our spending limit (even without adding a RF in arbitration years).

And following year 2025, it gets worse but guess we lose Beiber and Reyes to FA in 2025 ... unless we can resign one or both ... but payroll then becomes $130-$140 range (the spending FO will do only if we have legit shot at winning which may start) w even losing one and not Adding a RF. But, ohh well, it is only money .... maybe new owner will spend $170 million for Ramirez, Reyes, Bieber, Hayes (or other RF). It is nice to say we should add an Arb-1 RF with 3 years to play but were does our payroll get stretched to add his $10 million - $20 million payroll for next 2-3 years? If it fine to dream, but the devil and reality is in the details. This is why I said rental bat come trade deadline as we need a robust farm system to then add cheap bats to complement Williams and Espino et all come 2024-2028. Or, we can go all out for 2022, 2023 and 2024 to blow it up soon there after as we hit the FO max on payroll in 2024/25 (as our years in contention) just as our young pitching hit their prime years.

And so ... per the poster, I hope the Reds just kick our ass come Tuesday .... because "Many on here openly say that they don't want to make the playoffs, because we are unlikely to go far. Are you guys nuts?":bs::bs:
If this is directed at me then you're all fucked up. My post wasn't directed at you and I agree with a lot of what you said here. Especially the part about not wanting to deal our best assets. I agree with the spending. They're sitting in the driver's seat, but they need to unload some of the useless, excess weight and replace it with some difference makers. I believe that will happen in good time, but not nearly fast enough to keep me happy.

I don't believe for one second that the pitching is going to be or is a real issue right now. Not only is it a talented staff, the system is deeper than hell with quality SP prospects that will be bubbling up from right now until oblivion it seems. I would have already dealt one of Plesac or Civale, but that's another story.

I haven't said that the boost has to come from outside the organization. I have said that there is a logjam coming and waiting until the last minute to make room on the 40 man is putting yourself in a pickle.

This organization does not need to sign Bieber to an expensive long term deal.

Your last paragraph is just silly. Not only do I and everyone else want to make the playoffs, I want them to win a WS before my time has come to pass. This current roster isn't built to do that and having a weak lineup is a hang up.

Edited to sound less insulting. Sorry Pete!
 
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If this is directed at me then you're all fucked up. My post wasn't directed at you and I agree with a lot of what you said here. Especially the part about not wanting to deal our best assets. I agree with the spending. They're sitting in the driver's seat, but they need to unload some of the useless, excess weight and replace it with some difference makers. I believe that will happen in good time, but not nearly fast enough to keep me happy.

I don't believe for one second that the pitching is going to be or is a real issue right now. Not only is it a talented staff, the system is deeper than hell with quality SP prospects that will be bubbling up from right now until oblivion it seems. I would have already dealt one of Plesac or Civale, but that's another story.

I haven't said that the boost has to come from outside the organization. I have said that there is a logjam coming and waiting until the last minute to make room on the 40 man is putting yourself in a pickle.

This organization does not need to sign Bieber to an expensive long term deal.

Your last paragraph is just dumb. Not only do I and everyone else want to make the playoffs, I want them to win a WS before my time has come to pass. This current roster isn't built to do that and having a weak lineup is a hang up.
It wasn't .... sorry ... see the last sentence that is what someone said (or implied) I wanted .... per an earlier post of mine

I don't mind people stating an opinion and mine is usually the opposite of most (I just find it interesting as you learn more and people offer different points of facts that can lead to different conclusions). But I do mind when people think I want the Guardians to lose ... and put words into my mouth ... has happened twice just in the last few days.
 
If this is directed at me then you're all fucked up. My post wasn't directed at you and I agree with a lot of what you said here. Especially the part about not wanting to deal our best assets. I agree with the spending. They're sitting in the driver's seat, but they need to unload some of the useless, excess weight and replace it with some difference makers. I believe that will happen in good time, but not nearly fast enough to keep me happy.

I don't believe for one second that the pitching is going to be or is a real issue right now. Not only is it a talented staff, the system is deeper than hell with quality SP prospects that will be bubbling up from right now until oblivion it seems. I would have already dealt one of Plesac or Civale, but that's another story.

I haven't said that the boost has to come from outside the organization. I have said that there is a logjam coming and waiting until the last minute to make room on the 40 man is putting yourself in a pickle.

This organization does not need to sign Bieber to an expensive long term deal.

Your last paragraph is just dumb. Not only do I and everyone else want to make the playoffs, I want them to win a WS before my time has come to pass. This current roster isn't built to do that and having a weak lineup is a hang up.
Settle down already. No need at all to tell other posters here they are 'all fucked up' or that part of their posts are 'dumb.'
 
Settle down already. No need at all to tell other posters here they are 'all fucked up' or that part of their posts are 'dumb.'
I'm as calm as can be. My point was that if that was directed at me then he's got the wrong impression. Also, his last paragraph was silly. I mean honestly, who in here wants this team to lose because it can't win in the postseason?

I got nothing against Pete. He's a good poster and I enjoy conversing with him, but that post was possibly misguided which is why I stated "if this is directed at me", but thanks dad.

I edited dumb to silly to sound less dickish.
 
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It wasn't .... sorry ... see the last sentence that is what someone said (or implied) I wanted .... per an earlier post of mine

I don't mind people stating an opinion and mine is usually the opposite of most (I just find it interesting as you learn more and people offer different points of facts that can lead to different conclusions). But I do mind when people think I want the Guardians to lose ... and put words into my mouth ... has happened twice just in the last few days.
Got it. Thanks for the clarification and disregard my response.
 
@CATS44 and everyone else that's worried about the pitching..

@BimboColesHair has said it a few times they are being conservative with the pitching the first part of the year...

When it comes to the starters, don't worry about them until the second part of the year. Take their current numbers with a grain of salt since they weren't fully stretched in spring and will go through a low period cause of getting built up (kind of normal to have a dead arm period in spring, which they will deal with a bit in the season). We are so down on the starters right now and in my mind you are being impatient idiots (don't mean any offense, just being candid) because of the fact, they held them back a bit and you aren't going to get their best production if they are behind ya know?

Secondly, I am in agreement with @CDAV45 with the fact we do need another bat and Bimbo we have to decide what we are doing with Rosario...

At the current moment our best offensive lineup is...
C Maile/Hedges
1B Naylor
2B Miller
SS Gimenez
3B JRam
LF Rosario
CF Straw
RF Kwan
DH Reyes

Reyes is a power hitter, JRam is an MVP, and Naylor is starting to show some power, but everyone else is a contact to gap style hitter. I love the contact and team strategy we are using, but we have Rosario, Gimenez, Reyes, Naylor, plus Maile/Hedges who at times are not great at taking walks... I feel like we have to replace Rosario with someone who can hit for Power, take walks and plays a decent RF. Not sure if there is someone around like that, but if we C get Miller into the two hole, Straw, Miller, JRam, then veteran/trade, Naylor, Reyes (or vice versa on those two), Kwan, Maile/Hedges, Gimenez, I think you add more depth to the lineup.

We will see, but I think honestly this team is one legit bat (and maybe a veteran RP) away from an easy wild card spot....
 
Also @CATS44 stop saying people here don't want to make the playoffs... cause no one said that period... They want to make the playoffs and they want to find an upgrade in the lineup. We just don't agree on who and how much we should spend to get said upgrade. We like our prospects so we don't want to part with the top ones, but with little available right now, it feels like they aren't willing to give up the player we need without trading one of our "untouchable" prospects and we aren't willing to do that.

I think we will make a trade and likely for a RF, but who we are getting isn't something we can expect right now. The FO nor anyone here is sitting on their hands and staying with the current roster. Most of us want to see what guys like OGonz can do in the bigs and/or go get a bat like Hays or even a Ty France (while moving Naylor full time to RF). We want to take that next step...
 

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