2023 Season | Series #23 | Guardians @ Diamondbacks | June 16-18, 2023

[mopete12]

Walker was just one of several upgrades that were on my shopping list, but the FO chose not to upgrade via trades.

There is always a price to pay to upgrade a MLB roster. At some point we have to be willing to pay the price, or we will continue to scratch along with an offense devoid of some major thump.

But I like what the Cincinnati GM said last week.

'It's not about getting top farm systems. Thats great, but at the same time, you're trying to make moves to sustain winning on the big league club, and trying to figure out what that is.'

The Reds also have top end prospects. Their MLB club appears to be a year ahead of schedule, like we were last year. But unlike our FO, they seem more willing to supplement a good young core with some outside upgrades.

Two offensive upgrades would have turned the Guardians from contender for a Central title into one of the most powerful teams in baseball...and the resources were (are) available to do so.

The only signing the Reds made this off-season for a starting player was Will Myers. They traded away all their good players the last few years and tanked which is why they have top end prospects.

If trading for Benson and signing Luke Maile is considered being willing to supplement their good young core, then apparently the Guardians FO is very willing.

 

[CATS44]

Thats not what I said, nor what the Reds GM said.

Like us before last season, the Reds were looking at this year as one of discovering what they had in their youngsters. Like us before last year, they were not expected to fully contend. And like us last year, they look to be a year ahead of schedule.

Unlike us... with many posters agreeing with our FO's decision... the Reds FO is willing to improve their team by trading some of their prospect depth in order to supplement its core of young major leaguers for veteran roster upgrades.

And unlike us, the Reds recognize that there are no trophies handed out for best farm system.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Thats not what I said, nor what the Reds GM said.

Like us before last season, the Reds were looking at this year as one of discovering what they had in their youngsters. Like us before last year, they were not expected to fully contend. And like us last year, they look to be a year ahead of schedule.

Unlike us... the Reds FO is willing to improve their team by trading some of their prospect depth in order to supplement its core of young major leaguers for veteran roster upgrades.

And unlike us, the Reds recognize that there are no trophies handed out for best farm system.

Yeah, you're right. Our front office is never trying to trade for players to improve the major league roster.

You realize that the organization you're talking about, Cincinnati, is the very one we had deals lined up with that fell through, right? Deals to acquire veteran talent at the cost of prospects?

The Catsland saga continues. Must be pretty incredible to have such a terrible front office, yet achieve such consistently good results over long periods of time.

 

[sportscoach]

Walker was just one of several upgrades that were on my shopping list, but the FO chose not to upgrade via trades.

There is always a price to pay to upgrade a MLB roster. At some point we have to be willing to pay the price, or we will continue to scratch along with an offense devoid of some major thump.

But I like what the Cincinnati GM said last week.

'It's not about getting top farm systems. Thats great, but at the same time, you're trying to make moves to sustain winning on the big league club, and trying to figure out what that is.'

The Reds also have top end prospects. Their MLB club appears to be a year ahead of schedule, like we were last year. But unlike our FO, they seem more willing to supplement a good young core with some outside upgrades.

Two offensive upgrades would have turned the Guardians from contender for a Central title into one of the most powerful teams in baseball...and the resources were (are) available to do so.

I am pretty positive Cleveland did make a offer for Walker, but Arizona publicly stated they were going to hold onto him. Which, in hindsight, has really paid off... Cleveland tried to get him, but Arizona just wasn't willing to trade him.

Plus I think their main target last season was actually Drury, who they had a legit deal in place, if they could find a taker for Plesac. They weren't finding anyone, so the Reds went with two separate deals for the players Cleveland wanted.

Maybe you should look at the fact, Cleveland's FO is trying to find deals. They either get outbid, or aren't willing to take on extra contracts...

They were in on Mahle, Drury, Olson, Murphy, Winker etc... Mahle and Drury, got a snag cause of Plesac. Olson was a complete outbid since Atlanta was going to extended him. Murphy, we definitely outbid in pure talent, but the A's took the more MLB ready return since We wouldn't include one of our top 3/4 prospects. Winker didn't go through since we wouldn't take Suarez (though in hindsight, Suarez ended up being the good one in that deal).

We were looking and we did try. It takes two to tango and Cleveland isn't just trading the farm, to trade the farm...

 

[sportscoach]

The only signing the Reds made this off-season for a starting player was Will Myers. They traded away all their good players the last few years and tanked which is why they have top end prospects.

If trading for Benson and signing Luke Maile is considered being willing to supplement their good young core, then apparently the Guardians FO is very willing.

They are doing way better than projected as well. Cardinals and Brewers on paper were supposed to take the division and neither team is and the Reds are still in the division. They will be looking to add either long term pieces for prospects or short term rentals as stop gaps.

They badly need another starter... I am thinking they will target Blackburn of the A's...

 

[mopete12]

Thats not what I said, nor what the Reds GM said.

Like us before last season, the Reds were looking at this year as one of discovering what they had in their youngsters. Like us before last year, they were not expected to fully contend. And like us last year, they look to be a year ahead of schedule.

Unlike us... with many posters agreeing with our FO's decision... the Reds FO is willing to improve their team by trading some of their prospect depth in order to supplement its core of young major leaguers for veteran roster upgrades.

And unlike us, the Reds recognize that there are no trophies handed out for best farm system.

Please provide examples of them willing to trade their prospect depth in order to supplement their core of young major leaguers for veteran roster upgrades.

Their current roster was built without doing that at all. They may do so in the future, just like the Guardians front office may do that in the future. Until then, how can you say the Reds are more willing?

 

[DCTribefan]

Thats not what I said, nor what the Reds GM said.

Like us before last season, the Reds were looking at this year as one of discovering what they had in their youngsters. Like us before last year, they were not expected to fully contend. And like us last year, they look to be a year ahead of schedule.

Unlike us... with many posters agreeing with our FO's decision... the Reds FO is willing to improve their team by trading some of their prospect depth in order to supplement its core of young major leaguers for veteran roster upgrades.

And unlike us, the Reds recognize that there are no trophies handed out for best farm system.

Please share some more of your infinite wisdom.