I think Bob is picking up some of the same vibes that most of have noticed too.

I didn’t like the fact that DM seemed to think part of our problems on defense comes from “our inability to throw stikes.” Huh? Who knew that lack of consistently throwing strikes to opposing batters affects our collective ability to catch and throw?

-Sam Mellinger

Though I do still hold out hope that Buck would be worth something in a trade. He would be a solid backup catcher on many clubs. I think they have to pick up Olivo’s option – there is just not much out there in the way of catchers in free agency. I realize he isn’t that great, but there isn’t much better in free agency.

But that’s not enough. Bradley would not do “fine” in our market, he will do “fine” nowhere—he’s an absolute train wreck. Plus, he has 2 years left on his deal.

I’ve said before, I’ll say again: DDJ, and to a lesser extent Teahen, are good enough to be worth more in KC than they would to other teams, thus, the players we would receive back in a trade would not be a worthwhile value. DDJ should, without question, play LF and leadoff next year. Teahen will make a little too much money, but he’s better than Bloomers in RF to spell Guillen (I still hope against hope for a Guillen/Kila DH platoon with Teahen mostly full-time in RF—it makes too much sense to actually happen).

The FA DH power bat? Well, if somebody worthwhile and cheap comes along, fine. But, since I think Guillen stays, I’d rather have him or Kila (just so we can finally know what, if anything, he can do) DHing.

Here’s my thoughts in answer to yours.

No way we should bring in Milton “have you seen my stapler” Bradley. Even if we can trade paying JoGui and the Cubs paying Milt. Reason being, JoGui comes off the books one year sooner and we can use that money to sign players that actually have value. That will be year five and we have to hope that our GM has learned his lessons by then.

We’ll have some young studs coming up and we’ll be able to supplement them with MLB veteran leadership. For example, Duffy and Montgomery with Zack and Meche. They’ll learn from veteran leaders of this team who have been a solid part of the team and transition into solid MLB players.

Teahan stays until the deadline next year when we can flip him for something… Just negotiate a backloaded one year deal with him where the team who trades for him pays 2/3 of the salary. Just make sure to trade him this time.

Mitch can play CF and we’ll resign CoCo to an incentive laden $1 million/year deal for 1 year with team options. That way we give him a shot to regain some for when he comes back in June/July. If he sucks, we cut him out of the future and keep Mitch. I think Mitch will end up being a DDJ type OFer. Not super power but a decent average and solid defense.

DDJ stays. He’s a solid role player to help break in Parraz and Lough who are going to both be solid players. If we can get good value for him, flip him at the deadline.

I agree on the rotation. Keep it where it is and it’ll improve. But if we can lock up a FA pitcher who might be a solid player for us like Meche, do it. None come to mind out there…

I’d also say only throw Soria one inning at a time next year unless we really needed him for an extra out here or there… granted Treyisms don’t allow that mindset.

We can live with it and if everyone stays healthy next year, we’ve got a contender in a weak AL Central.