My point is this: If given the choice between having monster team for 3 years, then potentially being out of contention for the next 3 years, or of having a contending team year in an year out, I'm going with the latter. How much greater is the monster team's probability of winning the World Series over the contending team. Is it a big enough difference to go for broke? IMO, it's not.
If Dombrowski keeps us in contention after 2020, then I will readily admit how wrong I was.
It's hard to imagine us being totally out of contention for 3 years, if we are right below the luxury tax from 2020 to 2022.
It's easy to imagine us not being a top contender from 2021 to 2022 or 2023, but I doubt we finish 4th or 5th for 2 out of 3 seasons, let alone all 3.
We will struggle to fill the roster with quality, inexpensive players, but the budget should keep us fairly competitive (make the playoffs 1 out of those 3 years?).
I'm hoping we get some surprises from the farm, but I'm not overly optimistic.
Very important year coming up for groome. He needs to pitch to his potential while putting his father’s issues behind him. A very tall order.
His stuff is really good and his curveball is a plus pitch. How does that translate starting in April?
Is he pitches to his ability, he could be in Portland by August. (Hopefully with matta)
Groome will be 19 for most of the 2018 season and has a max of 55IP in a season to this point. My anticipation is he will have an innings cap around 100-110. It will be hard for him to traverse A and A+ ball with that innings cap.
Hal sucks
Mata is 18 and Groome is 19.
soxprospects.com has Mata starting the season in high-A ball (Salem) and Groome starting the season in low-A (Greenville).
I guess it's possible one or both end the season in Portland, but I'm not sure if that should be the measure used to judge their 2018 success.
Both have high ceilings. soxprospects.com gives Groome a 3-7 scale and Mata a 3-6 scale.
BTW, Tanner Houck, 21, starts the year in Greenville, according to soxprospects.com. His scale is also listed at 3-6.
I saw matta pitch a couple games last season. His stuff does not scream like groome’s but sometimes when you stand next to a super bright light like groome, talent evaluators tend to be blinded to just how good your stuff is. And that is why I am very high in matta’s potential as a #3 or #4 starter.
Did not see houck pitch in pro ball last year, but saw him a couple times in college. Best bet for him is he is our future closer.