Preseason Podcast AL West

[Former Twins GM (Robin)]

And the AL West...

drive.google.com/open?id=1lO5l--qsY-knCBB8SfG-jniey7GsOW3_


And the actor I couldn't remember was...

Toshiro Mifune

Yojimbo, Seven Samurai, and so many more, but those two first.

[Former Athletics GM (Das)]

Thank you for another great podcast.

It's not going to be as easy this season, but it's the AL West. I am expecting to build on the success of last season, however the Astros and Angels both could give me a run for the money. The Rangers, I heard were once good, now they have players that I would almost be willing to pay to have on their roster and are just catching up to the reality of their situation (trash talking while tapping on the glass). With depth of flexibility and baseball being baseball, the Angels match up decently to most teams in the American league. The Astros have me shifting in my seat, that bullpen is better than what I expect to squeeze out of my pen. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possible outcomes to see the Astros lineup put up better than average numbers, which in most weeks will be enough to get 3 categories on the offense.

I do like the older prospects, they offer immediate impact or they become real easy to drop. John Hicks is a bad C (just ask Quinn Wolcott) with AAAA CI profile. Tomas Telis, does fairly well for himself against international competition and could be owned in some 12 team leagues by the end of this season, or completely fall flat on his face and act like a catcher. Boog Powell doesn't really fit a profile that I prefer, but I'm a sucker for odd profiles that still succeed. Which leads me to Wes Rogers, who profiles as a Mallex Smith type of player, he is behind more talented prospects on the depth chart and these types of profiles are more unlikely to succeed, but I regard him as the best SB threat in the minors. With prospects, they don't last very long on my roster, because for me, if you aren't winning more than your losing, than it might be a good thought to try a better strategy.

With this A's roster, it's going to be a constant balancing act throughout the season. Injuries are going to be an issue and the big concern will be the pitching staff. Mike Leake, Zach Godley and Alex Wood should combine for decent enough numbers to get me through most weeks, but is far from imposing. JC Ramirez, at the league minimum could provide value again this season and who knows maybe Junis grows into a reliable MLB SP. I'm sure my bullpen will compare poorly to the Astros, however at seasons end, the A's will have one of the top bullpens in the league. Since I feel like I'm still building this roster, and this league is filled to the brim with great owners, I figure the best way for me to succeed is to take as much luck out of the factor as possible and put in the work it takes to be successful.

[Mariners GM (Nick J)]

Going to echo Das here, podcast was great.

Might as well call out Hollar here, I dropped Mesoraco a few weeks ago. Brings my salary and cap penalties to an even goofier $47.161M and $86.75M respectively. I don't know what the highest cap penalties total was before this year, but I feel like I will break that record regardless.

[Rays GM (Donavan)]

Classic comedy, particularly like the burning to ensure not a witch joke.....it was a joke right....

[Former Astros GM (Kevin)]

Bryce Stowell is on my block. Tough to part with him in a deal but you got to give to get.

[Pirates GM (Hollar)]

Mar 6, 2018 14:23:16 GMT -8 Mariners GM (Nick J) said:

Going to echo Das here, podcast was great.

Might as well call out Hollar here, I dropped Mesoraco a few weeks ago. Brings my salary and cap penalties to an even goofier $47.161M and $86.75M respectively. I don't know what the highest cap penalties total was before this year, but I feel like I will break that record regardless.

Calling me out is always the right choice. I support your decision. And ratios. Because damn.