I know this is very hard to do, but if you make the assumption this current run is over; when do you think our next window opens up?
Benson, Bradley & Jones have intrigued the hell out of me and looks like they could be an above average core. If we do bottom out for a season or two, maybe it would make sense to throw the farm at Lindor and hope to keep him around for the next run.
Also, what do we think of Mercado, Bauers & Luplow's ceilings?
I think they've set themselves up well to be competitive for a long time. That's been one of their priorities since the front office change (establishing consistency as opposed to volatility). Now, there is obviously a difference between being a championship contender and a potential playoff team, but I also think people are looking a bit too far ahead and putting the cart before the horse.
Even if they trade away 1 of Bauer or Kluber, or even both, their pitching is going to be just fine. They've created an absurd pitching pipeline, and what you're seeing and have been seeing from Clevinger, Bieber, and now Plesac should have you at ease. They have a stud top prospect who just needs to get healthy as well. Their starting pitching is set for a long time IMO.
Lindor and Ramirez are still locked up for the next 2+ seasons. A lot of money potentially comes off of their books in the next 2 years, and a new TV deal is coming in 3 years. And then on top of that, you have guys like Bradley, Johnson, Haase, and Chang (when he gets healthy) all knocking on the door this year, while Mercado is already up performing.
They have set themselves up really well to not have a "bottom out" year or 2. And I am still skeptical that they have seen their "window close". I think they need to tweak some stuff, but they still have a ton of talent and a steady pipeline of prospects coming through.
As for ceilings, I'm not always the biggest fan of saying what a player may be. But if you want something on those 3 guys I will try.
Mercado, his offensive profile reminds me a lot of Elvis Andrus. Think his approach could lead to more power than Andrus though. He could be a gold glove CF as well (they need to play him there everyday ASAP IMO).
Bauers, I know a lot of people are kind of giving up on him, but he's only 23, younger than Mercado who is still viewed as a "prospect". He hasn't been as bad in the OF as I expected him to be, but I think being out there is effecting his hitting a little negatively. I love his swing, I love his power, and I love his eye at the plate. I think his ceiling offensive numbers can look like Santana's typically does. Lowish BA, but high OBP and Slugging to make up for it.
Luplow will always be a vs LHP platoon guy for me, IMO. He mashes LHP, but he is really bad vs RHP and I can't see him being even league average in that regard. He can be a pre-injury Guyer clone with a bit more pop for us, which is a very useful player with how many of our high ranking OF prospects coming through are LH hitters.
