[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

when you think about it, the back to back WS were really an aberration. NONE of our blue chip guys from the "BEST FARM SYSTEM IN BASEBALL" really became stars. Hosmer has never become what he was projected to be. Moose finally did, sort of, last year. I mean, Salvy is a fantastic defensive catcher with some power, but has never hit for average. Duffy has not been the frontline ace he was expected to be. Ventura was, well, Ventura, and maybe he would've put it together, maybe not. None of the other pitchers developed. None. We've not really truly developed anyone in a very, very long time. They were good enough AS A TEAM, along with Cain, Gordon, and the bullpen, which was freakishly good, but comprised largely of failed starters that converted well to relief.

They juiced the ball. Which neutered our fly ball pitching, speedy OF defense, and ball contact MO. That is literally what happened and why our strategy became much more ineffective.