2029-2030 Hotstove Thread

[Maulers]

Good to know; thanks, Greg!

[DrewV]

I'm in a tough spot in Duluth where I continue to re-align to improve a depleted farm, but I don't want to tank completely and risk my lucrative market/FI.

The first 2 seasons were about learning the ropes and stabilizing the cash flow, which is done. Our disappointing start to 2029--with career-low performances from multiple pieces, was a tough pill to swallow. I gave up Carter and Trujillo for a bid on securing the lower farm--we'll see in time if that was a mistake, given their remaining team control.

For 2030, I'd like to continue to build our farm and keep the development budget high. There's potential for Suwon to be a real powerhouse this season with some good draft picks, and I think Antonio Herrera will do much better down there. I see a lot of potential in the Dutch SS Marvin Schoe, who will be joining Suwon off the international roster. Noah Hill, A, is also someone to get excited about, with 5-tool potential.

We need to improve out pitching. We have a nearly-elite defense and a decent batting corps, but our bullpen struggles and our starters--while all below 4.0 ERA last season, are inflated by good defenders and often have ballooned WHIP. Pitching will be a big focus for me this year--I feel I've done all I can with my cash to improve offense.

[KenH]

The Featherheads are in an interesting spot going into the deep off-season. We don't have a ton of money (despite what our bottom line states) and we need to win. Now. We're going to do this by making smart, impactful trades that improve our offense. Simply, with the immovable object that is Danny Burke's contract, the Featherheads need to be smacking the ball with everyone else so that when old Burke steps up to the plate, he can strike out without too much damage.

We're on the verge of coalescing a very strong offensive team with the great play of C Roberto Ortega (AAA), 1B Tiburcio Penela (AA), 3B Yosuke Morimoto, SS Bill Navarro(AA) and CF Mike Thompson (AA) looking ready to possibly make an impact on the major league squad sooner rather than later. It's a nice problem to have -- do I sell off some of my big prospects for a short term, immediate impact or do I let these young guys metriculate through my system? They're all coming off a really impressive last month of AA basaeball where they led Beaufort to the AA championship, but I feel like Florida's window is closing. If I don't win now, who's to say I have another opportunity in years to come? It's a tough balancing act and one that i've been looking to fill with free agent talent -- this has been harder than expected as the purse strings are, while large, stretched rather taut.

I think at the end of the day, I'm going to have to get better through trades and this means making some painful decisions for the future of my franchise in order to be better right now and not wait for later.

All this to say: I'm still looking for trades that improve the left side of my infield. Preferably left-handed bats. (Almost like there's an Andy Sharpe-shaped hole in my line-up. Weird!)

It's been far too long since an IL team won the Rodriguez Cup.

[Borealis]

It's been far too long since an IL team won the Rodriguez Cup.

[Denny]

It's been far too long since an IL team won the Rodriguez Cup.

I think Ken meant to start that sentence "It hasn't been nearly long enough"...

[Sandgnats]

The Featherheads are in an interesting spot going into the deep off-season. We don't have a ton of money (despite what our bottom line states)...

... says the Casino Mogul...

[Lions]

The Featherheads are in an interesting spot going into the deep off-season. We don't have a ton of money (despite what our bottom line states)...

... says the Casino Mogul...

Yeah... $264M budget...

[DougO]

Someone feel free to pick up Jerry Rutledge, please...

Seriously, though. I think we're starting to see some movement in asking prices on free agents.