Why is it so hard for a select few to recognize this Team is not Championship caliber?
You're free to have your opinion, but I respectfully disagree. IMO, you can't judge a team on a 2-3 week sample size. heck, sometimes a 2-3 month sample size shows a team is no "championship caliber", but that team ends up winning it all- sometime with a sweep.
The roster as constructed was not good enough the past 2 playoffs but yet the same players return and fans talk about a different result.
We added JD. or did you forget. We also had players returning from injuries along with others who played through injuries last year. We have Pedey & Thornburg returning soon.
There is zero pitching after Sale and zero relief before Kimbrel.
Porcello is a zero? He won the Cy Young 2 years ago and is looking fine. ERod finally fixed his knee. Pom is looking like he's rounding into shape. I can't blame anyone for not having faith in Price, but there is some hope.
BTW, have you seen the staffs of other teams? We have a top 6 or 7 staff at minimum. We are currently 3rd in pitching WAR and 2nd in ERA-, despite injuries and pitchers rehabbing on the fly.
The Organization is Tax strapped at the moment to find any pitching help. It boggles my mind how Ownership says in 14 that signing players to big contracts at the age of 30 is not good business. Lester Lackey Miller all gone and Ramirez Sandoval Price are signed.
Another tongue twister is what Cherington was thinking when he signed Ramirez. You had to know of the 2019 Free Agent Class but yet gives Ramirez a vesting option for that year? Same with DD and Price. DD didn't know of the arms in the 19 free agent class? Stupid business.
Ownership needs to pull a Cashman. Dump the dead weight to reduce payroll for the 19 Free Agent Bonanza! Pomeranz Erod Kelly Porcello and do not allow Ramirez to vest. Talk Price into opting out? If you have to deal a prospect along with a Porcello type contract to get them out, so be it.
Porcello would be gobbled up in a moment without any need for us giving a prospect or paying any portion of his deal.
86 win Team with this pitching
With all due respect, you're high.