3-6 home stand signals…

[imadangman]

We may be returning to an all too familiar quandry. There is a certain level of contention that would satisfy us, as far as what we accept for a contending season. There's a level below that of the team being just good enough to keep you from selling the pieces you need to sell. There's another level, what's the minimum record that leaves you "encouraged" about the next season. You might accomplish that while still selling. Maybe it's for the best that they level off now, prompting the front office to start fielding offers on Helsley, Fedde, etc.

^^^This.

I want to add this and I'll put it this way. If they play .500 ball the rest of the way, would you look at what you saw in May as enough "encouragement" to take into next season? For me, this stretch was more "encouraging" than any stretch of play we had in 2023 or 24. But to be completely convinced that we are on an uptrend from one season to the next, I'd want to see some more stretches of +.500 ball and not just this two steps forward two steps back stuff. I think 87 wins is what it will take for me to be significantly encouraged, or at least what i would accept as a contending effort. However I think about 84 wins is enough to surpass most folks preseason expectation.

I guess my point is if you're telling me we win 84 games and we held onto Fedde and Helsley I'd say that's pretty much a failure. If we win 87-90 games while holding them I'd say well, they made a good run. You know from watching this sport there may never be a chance as good as the one you have infront of you.

I would agree with your point. If come trade deadline time this looks like an 80-84 win team you really need to listen to all offers on Helsley and Fedde. If it looks like 87 plus wins as you said, then i would be fine with them hanging onto them and seeing what happens

Do I understand you to say that as few as 3 wins, and the possibility of a wildcard spot would change, or affect, a long-term decision?

What it signals to me is pretty much if they play .500 vs +.500 the rest of the way.