CDAV45
Small ball is for pussies!
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2020
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I don't really have an opinion on when the towel was thrown in because I never really believed that they couldn't contend. I didn't, and still don't believe that trading a "fattened calf" constitutes a rebuild. You have to know what the return is and none of us are afforded that information. Also, sometimes luck is your friend and this team hasn't had any to this point. What they've accomplished has been earned.That towell was thrown in on November 5th of 2020.. it was then that the final decision to "not compete" in 2021 was sealed with the notion and announcement that Francisco Lindor would be made available for trade.. Clevinger.. Bauer.. Kluber were already gone.. Santana = history.. More exits followed including and most importantly to the question, Carlos Carrasco.. The flowing red ink and lack of truly ml ready depth in the minor league system said.. the 2021 season is going to be a lean year..
At the halfway point of the 2021 season.. the Indians are clinging to a nearly .500 record (slightly above).. That is a wonderful result given the talent and situation within the division.. a division that is being ruled by a club that was fortold. as early as the fall of 2019, as the team that would be the class of the division in 2021.. a notion that was scoffed at due to the lack of pitching, btw..
...and suggesting there was a question about throwing in the towell.. just doesn't make a lot of sense.. that towell had the reds, yellows, oranges and browning leaves of late autumn laying on top.. having the chances to compete removed from the real world..
.. this reality.. engendered opinions and suggestions that had at its core a fear of just how deep the reload / rebuild was going to be.. Some posters were able to see the truth !! It was clear, and beyond any reasonable doubt that this was the time that the best players be considered for trade while holding out hope for the barest of chances to compete. The long term competitiveness and the short term belief that this team could compete in 2021 was at odds..
This desire to compete was, of course, from a narrow and desperate perspective.. The presence of others, aghast at the idea that a fatted calf was going to be traded.. pronounced that all of these guys need to be kept for the express purpose of competing.. or wait for some time in the future.. but while still under team control.. [shrug] A one year regrouping was the desperate hope.. imho..
thoughts?...
Let me ask a few questions aimed at the rest of the season and into next. Anyone here think that Miller or Freeman can't effectively replace Cesar? Anyone here think that Jones can't/won't effectively replace Eddie? Anyone here think that getting one C that can actually hit a baseball wouldn't help? Anyone think that having Bieber, Plesac, and Civale at the top of the rotation again won't be even better with the experience gained by Quantrill, Mejia, Morgan, Hentges, and now Garza who I think could be the best of that bunch? Anyone think that recalling a better hitting Gimenez and moving Amed to CF won't benefit this team?
"This team is on the verge" is the best description I can think of. A prudent move or 2 to address a couple of needs(they are few IMO) will/could make a world of difference. Add that in with guys like Freeman, Jones, and a few others real close to contributing then we have something.