2014 Offseason Plans Thread

[ESPN Refugee]

Again, reading comprehension. I didn't say anything about him being worried jd won't do much else. I said if he really thinks jd is perfectly happy with the team as is, he's missing the boat. There's a difference in those two statements.

Second, we've been over this. Jd can't come out and say, "we need a couple bats really bad." Because it makes him look desperate. Anything jd puts out there is a calculated move. Some of you fail to understand that.

I agree. We also collectively as an organization need to pin some hopes on the young guys like Profar, Martin etc. I know folks are harping about Martin's struggles in winter ball but I'm not sure if it's indicative of what's going to happen when spring training rolls around. We've got a good farm with high level prospects for a reason. While we would like to have and need Choo and/or Cruz we need to see what our kids are made of as well.

 

[Broseidon]

We need a leadoff hitter more than we need a motb. Choo has to be the primary focus.

I think at 7 years...we need to look other directions.

 

[ESPN Refugee]

and speaking of those wins last year, that's with the Astros in the division.

But we can't be apologizing for wins. Oakland shit on the Astros but they get a pass because they won the division? A win is a win and we know Houston was bad but they have ML capable players. You still have to go out and beat them.

 

[ESPN Refugee]

I think at 7 years...we need to look other directions.

In all actuality I am not worred about years 6 and 7. We will worry about that then. Same thing with Fielder...he has 7 years left but I'm not worred about the last 2 or 3 given that he's going to be our biggest asset for the next 4 or 5 years when that window is there and wide wide open.

I'm not saying we should just give out stupid silly contracts for that reason but if we get 5 really good/productive years out of the 7 year deal then I think the organization and most organizations with good teams will take it.

 

[lainey12]

Again, reading comprehension. I didn't say anything about him being worried jd won't do much else. I said if he really thinks jd is perfectly happy with the team as is, he's missing the boat. There's a difference in those two statements.

Second, we've been over this. Jd can't come out and say, "we need a couple bats really bad." Because it makes him look desperate. Anything jd puts out there is a calculated move. Some of you fail to understand that.

No, he can't...but he can simply say, "we are continuing to work on improving the team", and leave the "we are happy with what we have" out of the statement.
There are fans here that know what holes other teams in the division have, you really think other GM's don't know what we are missing? Any GM for that matter? They are paid to know what teams need and don't. Granted some are better than others.

"we are happy with what we have" isn't fooling anyone, might have worked when he was younger, GM's know him now, the constant downplaying isn't that "calculating". It only makes fans anxious, doesn't really serve any other purpose.
a simple "we are continuing to work on improving the team" works just fine.

 

[romeo212000]

No, he can't...but he can simply say, "we are continuing to work on improving the team", and leave the "we are happy with what we have" out of the statement.
There are fans here that know what holes other teams in the division have, you really think other GM's don't know what we are missing? Any GM for that matter? They are paid to know what teams need and don't. Granted some are better than others.

"we are happy with what we have" isn't fooling anyone, might have worked when he was younger, GM's know him now, the constant downplaying isn't that "calculating". It only makes fans anxious, doesn't really serve any other purpose.
a simple "we are continuing to work on improving the team" works just fine.

Sorry, but jds last concern with making statements is whether it makes fans anxious. His job isn't to make you feel warm and fuzzy, and he's absolutely right.

We had this same conversation at the deadline when we were wanting Rios and he said he didn't expect to get him, then bam we got him. So just sit back and let him work.

 

[Broseidon]

In all actuality I am not worred about years 6 and 7. We will worry about that then. Same thing with Fielder...he has 7 years left but I'm not worred about the last 2 or 3 given that he's going to be our biggest asset for the next 4 or 5 years when that window is there and wide wide open.

I'm not saying we should just give out stupid silly contracts for that reason but if we get 5 really good/productive years out of the 7 year deal then I think the organization and most organizations with good teams will take it.

That's a good point, but he'll be either a DH or platoon partner is a few very expensive years. If they're signing Choo to maximize their chances in the immediate future,which makes sense, then trading for Price makes a lot of sense...assuming that we only trade minor leaguers. And don't have subsequent trades where we ship off our young controllable LHP

 

[lainey12]

But we can't be apologizing for wins. Oakland shit on the Astros but they get a pass because they won the division? A win is a win and we know Houston was bad but they have ML capable players. You still have to go out and beat them.

I understand that, but it's only in reference to the total number of wins that he mentioned, without the Astros, 93 wins, with them 91. It's not really just a two game difference when you add one of the worst teams in the league

 

[romeo212000]

That's a good point, but he'll be either a DH or platoon partner is a few very expensive years. If they're signing Choo to maximize their chances in the immediate future,which makes sense, then trading for Price makes a lot of sense...assuming that we only trade minor leaguers. And don't have subsequent trades where we ship off our young controllable LHP

You should expect 5 good years from choo versus only having price for 2. No comparison.

 

[lainey12]

Sorry, but jds last concern with making statements is whether it makes fans anxious. His job isn't to make you feel warm and fuzzy, and he's absolutely right.

We had this same conversation at the deadline when we were wanting Rios and he said he didn't expect to get him, then bam we got him. So just sit back and let him work.

as far as I can tell I'm not inteferring with his work. I'm not obliged to sit back and relax, it's an offseason thread.
Not the JD can do no wrong thread. If that's the case, then why even have the thread? JD will fix everythiing so why waste the time. Let's all just sign off, OR constantly just sing his praises...or damn those who don't constantly praise his every move or lack of
Is it really that black and white? That's silly
I don't think saying "we are continuing to work on the team" is going to make anyone feel "warm and fuzzy"

 

[WilltheThrill]

In all actuality I am not worred about years 6 and 7. We will worry about that then. Same thing with Fielder...he has 7 years left but I'm not worred about the last 2 or 3 given that he's going to be our biggest asset for the next 4 or 5 years when that window is there and wide wide open.

I'm not saying we should just give out stupid silly contracts for that reason but if we get 5 really good/productive years out of the 7 year deal then I think the organization and most organizations with good teams will take it.

This post is 100% spot-on! I came here to post the exact same thing, but you've already summed it up nicely.

Only thing I'll add on is that it's basically a Martin vs. Choo debate. Do we save $$ now and go with a much weaker lead off hitter? Or do we pay the money and years now and have a great lead off hitter for the next 3-4 years while our window to win is most open (with Yu, Beltre, Fielder, etc in their primes)? It's a no-brainer. You win while you can. I'm not advocating completely ignoring the future, but to quibble over 1 year and possibly lose out on a great fit and team need now is just silly. Let's compromise and give Choo 1 more year with a slightly lower annual salary and then worry about years 6 and 7 when the time comes (when Beltre is no longer mashing, when we have more $$ to absorb bad contracts, etc.). When you've got the team just a player or two away from winning a title, you make those moves.

 

[lainey12]

You should expect 5 good years from choo versus only having price for 2. No comparison.

I agree, Tampa needs a team they can fleece for Price, this isn't one of them. He's not worth it...and two years makes it more ridiculous, let the Mariners gut their system

 

[lainey12]

In all actuality I am not worred about years 6 and 7. We will worry about that then. Same thing with Fielder...he has 7 years left but I'm not worred about the last 2 or 3 given that he's going to be our biggest asset for the next 4 or 5 years when that window is there and wide wide open.

I'm not saying we should just give out stupid silly contracts for that reason but if we get 5 really good/productive years out of the 7 year deal then I think the organization and most organizations with good teams will take it.

Absolutely

 

[WilltheThrill]

Lainey- a general rule of thumb is to avoid Irving at all costs. It is an absolute toilet. One section of Irving called Las Colinas is nice, but it is mostly comprised of corporate headquarters and upscale apartments where the corporate employees live. It's also where the Four Seasons resort is where the Byron Nelson is played. There are a handful of good restaurants there too. So if the hotel you've selected is in the Las Colinas area, then you should be fine. But anywhere else in Irving I would avoid like the plague. Irving is old, run-down, fairly poor, and generally an eye sore.

I'm not sure which chicken place was recommended to you, but if it was Babe's, then that is definitely a great choice. Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse (on Lemmon Avenue in Dallas) is great affordable BBQ. And there are tons of great options for Tex-Mex, provided it's not a gross low-end chain like El Fenix or Don Pablo's.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

as far as I can tell I'm not inteferring with his work. I'm not obliged to sit back and relax, it's an offseason thread.
Not the JD can do no wrong thread. If that's the case, then why even have the thread? JD will fix everythiing so why waste the time. Let's all just sign off, OR constantly just sing his praises...or damn those who don't constantly praise his every move or lack of
Is it really that black and white? That's silly
I don't think saying "we are continuing to work on the team" is going to make anyone feel "warm and fuzzy"

 

[Bmurph]

Lainey- a general rule of thumb is to avoid Irving at all costs. It is an absolute toilet. One section of Irving called Las Colinas is nice, but it is mostly comprised of corporate headquarters and upscale apartments where the corporate employees live. It's also where the Four Seasons resort is where the Byron Nelson is played. There are a handful of good restaurants there too. So if the hotel you've selected is in the Las Colinas area, then you should be fine. But anywhere else in Irving I would avoid like the plague. Irving is old, run-down, fairly poor, and generally an eye sore.

I'm not sure which chicken place was recommended to you, but if it was Babe's, then that is definitely a great choice. Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse (on Lemmon Avenue in Dallas) is great affordable BBQ. And there are tons of great options for Tex-Mex, provided it's not a gross low-end chain like El Fenix or Don Pablo's.

It was Babe's

 

[WilltheThrill]

It was Babe's

Yeah, Babe's is a must-visit. Their chicken fried steak is delicious too.

 

[RevSader]

Lainey- a general rule of thumb is to avoid Irving at all costs. It is an absolute toilet. One section of Irving called Las Colinas is nice, but it is mostly comprised of corporate headquarters and upscale apartments where the corporate employees live. It's also where the Four Seasons resort is where the Byron Nelson is played. There are a handful of good restaurants there too. So if the hotel you've selected is in the Las Colinas area, then you should be fine. But anywhere else in Irving I would avoid like the plague. Irving is old, run-down, fairly poor, and generally an eye sore.

I'm not sure which chicken place was recommended to you, but if it was Babe's, then that is definitely a great choice. Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse (on Lemmon Avenue in Dallas) is great affordable BBQ. And there are tons of great options for Tex-Mex, provided it's not a gross low-end chain like El Fenix or Don Pablo's.

When I first read this I thought you were saying El Fenix was great mexican food. I was about to be really sad....

 

[RevSader]

Yeah, Babe's is a must-visit. Their chicken fried steak is delicious too.

I just dig the family style serving and endless sides.

 

[Al Falfa]

When I first read this I thought you were saying El Fenix was great mexican food. I was about to be really sad....

Nobody goes there any more. It's too crowded.