Explaining Hampson

[Melville]

Been some consternation with signing Hampson
And criticism when he is in the lineup.
This displays a lack of understanding as to why he was signed and why it is a positive indicator.
He is not much of a hitter, obviously.
But he is a talented defender who adds depth and helps protect the pitching staff.
He can play 7 positions - which can be important over the 162 grind.
And that last clause is the key to understanding
It is now clear that Mo intends to grind through the full schedule.
It means he has every of slipping into the playoffs one last time as he slips off-stage.
Hampson is the type of experienced, fundamentally sound player who contenders like to have at the end of the bench
And now having fully explained why signing him is, if nothing else, an insight into Mo's thinking (remember, I know No better than Mo knows Mo) - let's analyze related implications.
This is means Fedde and Helsley will remain with STL at the deadline.
Maton and Romero as well
It also means that Mois willing to consider trading one of his LH bats, which is the one area in which STL has an excess - with Nootbaar being a strong candidate
It also means Mo will be willing to move a couple of top 20 prospects as well - particularly if he can net a starting pitcher with at least another year of control
Obviously, Mikolas and Matz will also be shopped.
Perhaps Walker.
Bottom line: though alone he is an unimportant piece,signing Hampson shows STL intend to be in"buy mode" more so than sell mode.

[CorneliusWolfe]

I, and maybe only I, agree. Hampson is not a reset-minded move. It is as you, and only you, describe...a strong indicator of Mo's intent to give it one more run.

He couldn't mortgage the future, because it's not his to mortgage, so he stood pat in the offseason not really knowing what he had. But he still owns the present and sees an opportunity to not go out a loser, in both his and the fan's eyes.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Been some consternation with signing Hampson
And criticism when he is in the lineup.
This displays a lack of understanding as to why he was signed and why it is a positive indicator.
He is not much of a hitter, obviously.
But he is a talented defender who adds depth and helps protect the pitching staff.
He can play 7 positions - which can be important over the 162 grind.
And that last clause is the key to understanding
It is now clear that Mo intends to grind through the full schedule.
It means he has every of slipping into the playoffs one last time as he slips off-stage.
Hampson is the type of experienced, fundamentally sound player who contenders like to have at the end of the bench
And now having fully explained why signing him is, if nothing else, an insight into Mo's thinking (remember, I know No better than Mo knows Mo) - let's analyze related implications.
This is means Fedde and Helsley will remain with STL at the deadline.
Maton and Romero as well
It also means that Mois willing to consider trading one of his LH bats, which is the one area in which STL has an excess - with Nootbaar being a strong candidate
It also means Mo will be willing to move a couple of top 20 prospects as well - particularly if he can net a starting pitcher with at least another year of control
Obviously, Mikolas and Matz will also be shopped.
Perhaps Walker.
Bottom line: though alone he is an unimportant piece,signing Hampson shows STL intend to be in"buy mode" more so than sell mode.

Mik and Matz are gone. They won’t trade Walker unless they get a bat.

[Melville]

I, and maybe only I, agree. Hampson is not a reset-minded move. It is as you, and only you, describe...a strong indicator of Mo's intent to give it one more run.

He couldn't mortgage the future, because it's not his to mortgage, so he stood pat in the offseason not really knowing what he had. But he still owns the present and sees an opportunity to not go out a loser, in both his and the fan's eyes.

Smart man!
I would add that all winter, as fans and pundits clamored to see Helsley and Fedde traded, I analyzed that he would keep both in July if STL was within 5 games.
It was clearly his plan all along.

[Ejgonz22]

Hampson is a RH Siani who can also play IF. He’s a fine 26th man.

[Cusecards]

Very very good OP!
Oh....and posting solid opinions WITHOUT the grandiose “self promotion” makes it that much better!

[CorneliusWolfe]

Very very good OP!
Oh....and posting solid opinions WITHOUT the grandiose “self promotion” makes it that much better!

He tried, but the typo made it funny - "remember, I know No better than Mo knows Mo". He does know his Mo-psychology though.

[scoutyjones2]

Hampson is a RH Siani who can also play IF. He’s a fine 26th man.

Exactly. Lack of RH depth in the OF.

[CorneliusWolfe]

I, and maybe only I, agree. Hampson is not a reset-minded move. It is as you, and only you, describe...a strong indicator of Mo's intent to give it one more run.

He couldn't mortgage the future, because it's not his to mortgage, so he stood pat in the offseason not really knowing what he had. But he still owns the present and sees an opportunity to not go out a loser, in both his and the fan's eyes.

Smart man!
I would add that all winter, as fans and pundits clamored to see Helsley and Fedde traded, I analyzed that he would keep both in July if STL was within 5 games.
It was clearly his plan all along.

And it was a prudent plan considering all the fleecing in recent years. He took the Hippocratic approach this time and decided to first do no harm.

[Ozziesfan41]

Mo dumped garbage to get slightly better garbage most likely due to arenado urging him to do so since arenado and him are buddies and he raved about his versatility and intangibles. It was probably an arenado signing like carp was. All he is is a place holder until they need a roster spot for a hitter then he will be released

[scoutyjones2]

I, and maybe only I, agree. Hampson is not a reset-minded move. It is as you, and only you, describe...a strong indicator of Mo's intent to give it one more run.

He couldn't mortgage the future, because it's not his to mortgage, so he stood pat in the offseason not really knowing what he had. But he still owns the present and sees an opportunity to not go out a loser, in both his and the fan's eyes.

Smart man!
I would add that all winter, as fans and pundits clamored to see Helsley and Fedde traded, I analyzed that he would keep both in July if STL was within 5 games.
It was clearly his plan all along.

And it was a prudent plan considering all the fleecing in recent years. He took the Hippocratic approach this time and decided to first do no harm.

What fleecing happened recently?

[WLTFE]

But, he can also pitch!

[CorneliusWolfe]

I, and maybe only I, agree. Hampson is not a reset-minded move. It is as you, and only you, describe...a strong indicator of Mo's intent to give it one more run.

He couldn't mortgage the future, because it's not his to mortgage, so he stood pat in the offseason not really knowing what he had. But he still owns the present and sees an opportunity to not go out a loser, in both his and the fan's eyes.

Smart man!
I would add that all winter, as fans and pundits clamored to see Helsley and Fedde traded, I analyzed that he would keep both in July if STL was within 5 games.
It was clearly his plan all along.

And it was a prudent plan considering all the fleecing in recent years. He took the Hippocratic approach this time and decided to first do no harm.

What fleecing happened recently?

Recent "years". Most of his trades, other than Holliday resulted in a lot of net loss. He publicly stated regret for losing Alcantara, Gallen, and others. Even Goldschmidt and Arenado trades didn't result in the window he hoped for. He's not as terrible as many claim, but not great [insert rolly eyes to seemingly prove point].

[scoutyjones2]

I, and maybe only I, agree. Hampson is not a reset-minded move. It is as you, and only you, describe...a strong indicator of Mo's intent to give it one more run.

He couldn't mortgage the future, because it's not his to mortgage, so he stood pat in the offseason not really knowing what he had. But he still owns the present and sees an opportunity to not go out a loser, in both his and the fan's eyes.

Smart man!
I would add that all winter, as fans and pundits clamored to see Helsley and Fedde traded, I analyzed that he would keep both in July if STL was within 5 games.
It was clearly his plan all along.

And it was a prudent plan considering all the fleecing in recent years. He took the Hippocratic approach this time and decided to first do no harm.

What fleecing happened recently?

Recent "years". Most of his trades, other than Holliday resulted in a lot of net loss. He publicly stated regret for losing Alcantara, Gallen, and others. Even Goldschmidt and Arenado trades didn't result in the window he hoped for. He's not as terrible as many claim, but not great [insert rolly eyes to seemingly prove point].

LMAO. Goldy and Nado were steals.

His last couple of years of deals have been good.

Actual eyeroll

[CorneliusWolfe]

I, and maybe only I, agree. Hampson is not a reset-minded move. It is as you, and only you, describe...a strong indicator of Mo's intent to give it one more run.

He couldn't mortgage the future, because it's not his to mortgage, so he stood pat in the offseason not really knowing what he had. But he still owns the present and sees an opportunity to not go out a loser, in both his and the fan's eyes.

Smart man!
I would add that all winter, as fans and pundits clamored to see Helsley and Fedde traded, I analyzed that he would keep both in July if STL was within 5 games.
It was clearly his plan all along.

And it was a prudent plan considering all the fleecing in recent years. He took the Hippocratic approach this time and decided to first do no harm.

What fleecing happened recently?

Recent "years". Most of his trades, other than Holliday resulted in a lot of net loss. He publicly stated regret for losing Alcantara, Gallen, and others. Even Goldschmidt and Arenado trades didn't result in the window he hoped for. He's not as terrible as many claim, but not great [insert rolly eyes to seemingly prove point].

LMAO. Goldy and Nado were steals.

His last couple of years of deals have been good.

Actual eyeroll

They forced their GMs hand to give them away and they landed in Mo's lap. Besides, I thought you hated Nado? Now he's a steal? ...habitual goal post mover to fit argument. [insert confused face, because real men debate with emojis]

[scoutyjones2]

I, and maybe only I, agree. Hampson is not a reset-minded move. It is as you, and only you, describe...a strong indicator of Mo's intent to give it one more run.

He couldn't mortgage the future, because it's not his to mortgage, so he stood pat in the offseason not really knowing what he had. But he still owns the present and sees an opportunity to not go out a loser, in both his and the fan's eyes.

Smart man!
I would add that all winter, as fans and pundits clamored to see Helsley and Fedde traded, I analyzed that he would keep both in July if STL was within 5 games.
It was clearly his plan all along.

And it was a prudent plan considering all the fleecing in recent years. He took the Hippocratic approach this time and decided to first do no harm.

What fleecing happened recently?

Recent "years". Most of his trades, other than Holliday resulted in a lot of net loss. He publicly stated regret for losing Alcantara, Gallen, and others. Even Goldschmidt and Arenado trades didn't result in the window he hoped for. He's not as terrible as many claim, but not great [insert rolly eyes to seemingly prove point].

LMAO. Goldy and Nado were steals.

His last couple of years of deals have been good.

Actual eyeroll

They forced their GMs hand to give them away and they landed in Mo's lap. Besides, I thought you hated Nado? Now he's a steal? ...habitual goal post mover to fit argument. [insert confused face, because real men debate with emojis]

I'm not a fan of Nado but to claim the GMs gave them away but no other team landed both, actually proves that Mo did exceptionally well and I thank you for proving my point.

You set the goalposts and I got items well within your bull[shirt] construct and you solidified my counter.

Thanks!

How bout his trade deadlines deals too