2003 all over again?

[vegascardsfan5890]

That year they were 2nd in runs, 2nd in OPS, and 3rd in HRs

But they were also had one of the worst pitching staffs in the league, especially one of the worst bullpens of all time

[ICCFIM2]

That year they were 2nd in runs, 2nd in OPS, and 3rd in HRs

But they were also had one of the worst pitching staffs in the league, especially one of the worst bullpens of all time

No one should have expected this to be a playoff team. If it turns out that Walker, Scott, Wynn, Herrera, etc. are all great hitters, the pitching staff can be fixed by 2026. The window will be open. Pallante, Gray and McGreevy should be decent enough. Maybe another starter emerges. They can try for 1 high end starter in free agency and then pick up another veteran on a 1 year deal. They should have plenty of budget with all the young guys. Add two veteran relievers and this team should be competitive, assuming the hitting sticks.

[Futuregm2]

That year they were 2nd in runs, 2nd in OPS, and 3rd in HRs

But they were also had one of the worst pitching staffs in the league, especially one of the worst bullpens of all time

No one should have expected this to be a playoff team. If it turns out that Walker, Scott, Wynn, Herrera, etc. are all great hitters, the pitching staff can be fixed by 2026. The window will be open. Pallante, Gray and McGreevy should be decent enough. Maybe another starter emerges. They can try for 1 high end starter in free agency and then pick up another veteran on a 1 year deal. They should have plenty of budget with all the young guys. Add two veteran relievers and this team should be competitive, assuming the hitting sticks.

And mix in Mathews.

Hitters like Walker/Scott/Herrera/Gorman emerging really opens things up for the team, if they can continue to hit well.

[ecleme22]

That year they were 2nd in runs, 2nd in OPS, and 3rd in HRs

But they were also had one of the worst pitching staffs in the league, especially one of the worst bullpens of all time

So funny. I was just thinking of the ‘03 comparison last night.

Hopefully, there will be some AAA movement before long.

[imadangman]

That year they were 2nd in runs, 2nd in OPS, and 3rd in HRs

But they were also had one of the worst pitching staffs in the league, especially one of the worst bullpens of all time

No one should have expected this to be a playoff team. If it turns out that Walker, Scott, Wynn, Herrera, etc. are all great hitters, the pitching staff can be fixed by 2026. The window will be open. Pallante, Gray and McGreevy should be decent enough. Maybe another starter emerges. They can try for 1 high end starter in free agency and then pick up another veteran on a 1 year deal. They should have plenty of budget with all the young guys. Add two veteran relievers and this team should be competitive, assuming the hitting sticks.

The good thing about this team is you have 4 positions that where we might be watching the players who are expected to grow into those positions long term. I'm talking Winn at SS, and your outfield of Nootbaar-Scott-Walker. If I told you those players would still be at those positions in 2-3 years, would you be surprised.

Then you can consider Herrera at 1B, Crooks or Bernal at catcher, and Wetherholt likely at 2B.

That gives us the ability to decently project what we will have at 7 positions for 2026-27. There's DH and 3B left. Wonder where Donovan will fit in, or if they move Wetherholt to another spot and keep Donovan at 2nd. Then there's Gorman. Saggese may represent a backup infielder I've compared him to Jed Gyorko.

So I hope there will be positives to take from this season in that it feels like a good portion of the future is already about bolted down.

The pitching will have to grow. And hopefully we get confidence in that area by the end of the year with what we see Mathews/McGreevy. It will have to be supplemented to seriously contend.