How will all 3 of Freeman, Arias and Rocchio be given a chance in their last option year next year (assuming Arias isn't sent down this year. Then Brito and Martinez are knocking on the door next year (end of 2024 for 2025). That assume Tena doesn't break out even more (lost in the wave).
You say that you expect all to be here next year but also said (if I recall) that Jones was traded as he was on his last option year (thus holding him would diminish trade value dramatically). And, they made that decision on 96 MLB ABs for Jones and 42 ABs for Brennan (guess Oscar's 362 ABs). I believe in that 500 AB number to see how a hitter enters the league and has time to even adj to pitcher's adj. (so far 184 for Arias, 146 Freeman and 14 for Rocchio). Long way to go and I would believe it more if Rosario is DFA at least by Aug 1. Yet, if SS position has 600 ABs and super utility may get 300-400 -- that is 900 max ABs for 3 guys (just getting to 500 without Martinez or Brito knocking on door) - but all would have no options (value for trade at end of 2024, if they need more time to adjust).
There is value to letting the kids cut their teeth on real experience w pressure than sit around all day and just do side session for coaches all year). As you also said, Benson could look great in the cage but lose it in the game and needed that time to adjust and keep those adjustments when it counted.
I appreciate your insights, but help me here how it can happen without rushing them to succeed almost right away. Know you said Martinez can be moved to CF (so that helps). What else?
I've been saying "if all are here next year". Not that I expect them all to be here. I can see one being traded in a few weeks if the team is trending up, and I'd expect it to be Arias because of the options issue. If the team is treading water and finds themselves 6, 7, 8 games back come the deadline though? I think you guys will finally see some of the changes you've been asking for because the team has to find out what these guys have.
But Freeman should never be optioned again. He has proven in the very least that he can hit in a bench role, which is more than Arias has shown and is valuable in its own right giving him a very safe floor. That's what Jose did before he was able to break in as a regular. A lot of guys have followed that route to becoming an everyday player. So options don't matter with him, I can't see him going down anytime soon, if ever again.
So logically, if all are here, it would be a "who wins the job" thing in Spring between Arias and Rocchio given Freeman's proven floor, at least in my mind. Could we trade one in the winter? Absolutely. But if all 3 are here at the start of Spring Training that is how I see it going down.
And Nolan was traded to extend the asset, yes, but at the time his path for playing time here just wasn't there. He can't play CF. Kwan, Gonzalez, Brennan all had too good of a showing not to roll with them into the start of this season, Naylor surely wasn't moving off 1B, Jose wasn't moving off 3B, and we were looking hard at proven hitters to be the DH. There just was no spot, at the time. We also moved him for a hitter we really, really liked, and for good reason.
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