Just a few comments more... Eppler made these acquisitions (Vogelbach, Naquin, Ruf and Givens) without giving very much away, especially top-30 prospects. The losses: Holderman (hated to lose him), Szapucki, Zwack and JD Davis. There were a couple of others lower in the pipeline, but a pretty good haul for not much in return. If we examine the current contracts, Alvarez, Baty and Vientos should all be able to get to the big club by May 2024, if not sooner. Escobar has one more year to be replaced by Baty. McCann runs his course after the 2024 season and should be a good mentor during Alvarez's rookie season. Vogelbach and Ruf could fulfill the DH role for this year and as many as two more with their very reasonable contracts. Canha has up to two more years and Marte has three. Givens has another year on his current deal. This is all good stuff, which will allows the Metsecutives to offer extensions to Nimmo, Alonso, Diaz and at least two of the following starters: deGrom, Bassitt, Walker and/or Carrasco. No need to sign them all with Peterson, Megill and Luchese waiting in the wings, and Mad Max signed for two more campaigns. The long game has to be addresses no matter what the current scenario, which is bright indeed. Glad Jankowski was able to get a new job with the Mariners, but what will become of Dom?
Givens is an excellent pickup. Ruf is a perfect counterbalance to Vogelbach in the DH role and is a little better OF than most people think. Naquin, well... he could be a nice little platoon with Canha against very tough righthanded hurlers. It adds a little depth at 1B and the corner OF slots. I agree that not landing Chafin, Moll or Mantiply was a big miss, but there is a lot of bullpen depth that includes May returning, Nogasek (having an outstanding year at Syracuse and looking good with the Mets), Lopez (he was 98-99 a couple of games ago), Medina and Drew Smith. Lugo has looked like his old self and Williams has really been a grinder. Of course, Ottavino and Diaz are a formidable final punch. Plenty of arms and Buck knows how to use them. Givens will be a great piece. The lineup is a little longer, and we are seeing some offense starting to emanate from Nido. Depth, balance, and superb pitching and defense will prevail.
Just a few comments more... Eppler made these acquisitions (Vogelbach, Naquin, Ruf and Givens) without giving very much away, especially top-30 prospects. The losses: Holderman (hated to lose him), Szapucki, Zwack and JD Davis. There were a couple of others lower in the pipeline, but a pretty good haul for not much in return. If we examine the current contracts, Alvarez, Baty and Vientos should all be able to get to the big club by May 2024, if not sooner. Escobar has one more year to be replaced by Baty. McCann runs his course after the 2024 season and should be a good mentor during Alvarez's rookie season. Vogelbach and Ruf could fulfill the DH role for this year and as many as two more with their very reasonable contracts. Canha has up to two more years and Marte has three. Givens has another year on his current deal. This is all good stuff, which will allows the Metsecutives to offer extensions to Nimmo, Alonso, Diaz and at least two of the following starters: deGrom, Bassitt, Walker and/or Carrasco. No need to sign them all with Peterson, Megill and Luchese waiting in the wings, and Mad Max signed for two more campaigns. The long game has to be addresses no matter what the current scenario, which is bright indeed. Glad Jankowski was able to get a new job with the Mariners, but what will become of Dom?
Givens is an excellent pickup. Ruf is a perfect counterbalance to Vogelbach in the DH role and is a little better OF than most people think. Naquin, well... he could be a nice little platoon with Canha against very tough righthanded hurlers. It adds a little depth at 1B and the corner OF slots. I agree that not landing Chafin, Moll or Mantiply was a big miss, but there is a lot of bullpen depth that includes May returning, Nogasek (having an outstanding year at Syracuse and looking good with the Mets), Lopez (he was 98-99 a couple of games ago), Medina and Drew Smith. Lugo has looked like his old self and Williams has really been a grinder. Of course, Ottavino and Diaz are a formidable final punch. Plenty of arms and Buck knows how to use them. Givens will be a great piece. The lineup is a little longer, and we are seeing some offense starting to emanate from Nido. Depth, balance, and superb pitching and defense will prevail.