What are you rooting for?

[Wisconsin27]

I think you're spot-on, Doc.  But in all fairness, I think having Mike Trout on your team has, in large part, served as the impetus behind the approach for years.  There has undoubtedly been pressure to build a winner rather immediately during his entire career (particularly before the extension).  

I'm not saying it's been a correct or incorrect approach (I'm not a fan of hindsight), but am only pointing out I understand the reasoning behind the approach.  Heck, we have all wanted Mike to get to the playoffs asap for his entire career.

 

 

[Blarg]

This is a little inappropriate but I am kind of rooting for a career ending injury for Pujols. It is about the only way to purge him from a roster space next season. I know he is chasing Mays but he has been so bad that there is no reason to pander to his milestone chasing. An injury gives him the dignity that simply cutting him loose wouldn't to end his career. But he simply can't be a part of next season's bench as a player. 

[BTH]

On 9/1/2020 at 4:49 PM, Trendon said:

I want some guys to step up and grab hold of jobs for 2021 and beyond.

Stassi: prove that you can be an everyday starter at C. He showed he can at least be part of a platoon. If he was the starter, I don't think it would be terrible.

Walsh/Thaiss: one of you step up and take Pujols' job at 1B. Hey, look. Jared Walsh did exactly that.

Rengifo/Barreto: perform well in the majors and earn the starting 2B job next year. No one showed up here, and unfortunately both of them ended the season injured.

Adell: live up to the hype that you have as a top 5-10 prospect in MLB. Adell didn't turn it around, but Ward took most of his playing time and showed he could be a solid contributor.

Barria/Sandoval/Suarez: grab hold onto a rotation spot and prove that you are a MLB caliber starter. Barria did that. Sandoval looked pretty decent out of the pen.

Barnes/Mayers/Middleton: show us who you are. Can you be a trustworthy reliever in the majors? Mayers did that. Barnes barely pitched. Where's Middleton? Oh yeah, the alternate site.