Quote:
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch
That's why Philly is my 2.
ASS can just bounce Bregman to The OF Gordo-style. Didn't know Machado has bad metrics this year, surely that's an anomaly.
Atlanta is a big threat too. Best system in the game if Acuna was still Party of it. Most of the $$$$$ will be spent by the NL clubs next 2-3 years which is a downside for STL. Wash will replace Harper dough with someone.
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The metrics might be an anomaly but the eye test with him supports them. He just looks like he's gotten too thick; his steps aren't very fast and his range isn't terribly good. To my eyes his hands are degrading as well but I think that's a result of trying to 'think through' plays and getting himself caught in between.
I'm not saying he can't improve - there's a good chance he can get himself to a league average starting SS defensively should he just get a little more comfortable and continue to trust that cannon of an arm he has. But I wouldn't just assume he'll stick at SS at this point - he might just not be very good over there as he's matured.
And yeah, the Nats free up Harpers money but the Cards free up $20 million from Wainwright as well and they're getting NOTHING from it. That's found funds right there. The Cardinals have no real excuse for getting outmuscled financially by the Nationals - they can hang in that crowd given their relatively reasonable payroll obligations going forward and new cable dollars.
But they can't hang with everyone and have nothing else in particular to draw players there at the moment. The damage Matheny did to that team's standing is just immense. They're not going to be able to get a guy like Harper signed as a FA - probably can't even get a visit. If they ever hope to get that kind of player again it will need to be another deal like the Ozuna trade (younger player with a couple years to FA) and a hope that the player in question simply isn't the damaged goods Moe acquired from the Marlins. He enjoys his year or two in STL and the Cardinals have some additional advantages in FA bidding.