<p>last shout is from me, DaddyO.</p>

<p>To build on G #Money, it's understandable for any GM not wanting to be tied to the last guy's players. (See Jack Z.)<br />
But let's hope that this does NOT apply to Kuma.<br />
Without him, things turn too much to the negative. Bullpen adds won't fix that problem.</p>

<p>to 2016 success.</p>

<p>If DiPoto really has the credit card to fix the team for 2016, then spending on the BP has to be in the plan at some higher-than-nominal level. The amount allocated may fall as he fixes the Farm, but he and Mather gotta know that short-term BP fixes will require high-grade pasta in the spaghetti.</p>

<p>still...could be a bit spendy...depending on who gets the state-side ace relievers available in trade.</p>

<p>I don't think we can afford even three of those guys, anon. Lowe is almost a no-brainer given his connection with the org, and Sipp is the minimum I'd want for my true 8th inning lefty. But Oh will probably cost like 10 mil in post and a multi-year deal, Sipp is a big enough name now to get 3-4 mil minimum, and Lowe should get a couple mil...how much will we be allowed to spend on relievers?</p>

<p>There now has to be at least TWO more reliever acquisitions. Bass is not a guy I want to count on. Bartender was. So...yeah...still need a true closer and at least one other power arm. Count me as among the detractors on this deal.</p>

<p>Lots to like in Martin, especially his +2 dWAR glove/range. A word of caution, however, he's a candidate for platooning. His career OPS vR is .703 (.573 last year) but is only .582 vL. That is dismal dismal-ness. If Guti could cover CF again you would have a terrific marriage. A 2nd word of caution: He's a career .695 hitter in #Texas (who isn't) but only .635 outside of #Texas. Sigh. Bass isn't Bartender, btw. If you're supposed to get the best player in the trade we might have. If martin gets in the .690 OPS range then he's a steal. If he's in the .590 range, then we're not going to be loving him. The funny thing is that this is the year that he gets decently expensive. He's not a long term investment, if he crashes, I suppose. And RP's are indeed RP's, fairly expendable. But DiPoto is bold. I like that. My jury is still out on Martin. diderot is right, he hits 9th. DiPoto indicated there may be another OF move coming, too.</p>

<p>I like the trade for Martin. I'm banking on the fact that DiPoto believes that his 2015 injuries will prove to be a temporary interruption in his career arc. Suddenly we have a top tier defensive CF...and one with a plus ARM too! That combination in center is a major plus in run prevention in my #Book. Currently in MLB there's a lot of CF'ers who can go get the ball pretty well, but most have average or below average arms. Not many of them can shut down the taking of extra bases as well. Don't remember anything about Bass. I wonder if the PTBNL is conditional depending on Martin's performance or playing-time. Makes sense after an injury season.</p>

<p>OK, will try again (and then the first will likely come up): Ah-seop Son is being posted by the Lotte Giants in Korea: Here he is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8UwR6BehNQ&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_parent">https://www.youtube....</a>. Lefty bat RF with a classic inside the ball stroke, walks a ton, but can turn on the ball and rip it over the fence (a bit like Ichiro) and has a VG glove. I would be in on this guy. BTW: Freddie Freeman is up for offer by the Braves. If you're moderating, you can dump my previous (non-logged in post).</p>

<p>Forgot to log in. The Son post is mine.</p>

<p>Part 2 - Malik Dime is not a freshman, but is new to the team as a Jr. transfer and he was a monster on the glass in the first game with 14 or 15 boards and 3 blocks I think? Looks like mostly dunks, boards and blocks from him at this point but we need those contributions. A couple other new out of state frontcourt players are Noah Dickerson and Devenir Duruisseau both are around 6'8" but solidly built for freshmen. Dickerson looks pretty skilled and crafty near the basket for a fairly broad body while Duruisseau seems like a hard working glue guy that's always in the right place. His skills don't jump out as much as most of the other players but he seems to have the right attitude to maximize his talent.</p>
<p>A couple days back Markelle Fultz signed his letter of intent to play for UW starting 2016. He's currently the #6 player in the nation for 2016, pretty much the highest ranked guy Romar has pulled in. Not from #Seattle either. Dematha Catholic in #Maryland.</p>
<p>Coach Romar also has a 2018 verbal from 5 star Jontay Porter, who could also be a Top 10 in class guy when 2018 rolls around. Reminds me very much of a young Sam Perkins right down to the lefty kinda low release slingy 3 ball.</p>
<p>Overall the play that first game in #China was very sloppy, but the effort level on defense was quite high. Many attempted charging calls on D so they are listening to what Coach Romar wants and tried to get it done, instead ended up with some blocking fouls. An exciting #Style of play to be a fan of win or lose this season!</p>

<p>I want Oh / Stone Buddha. Start with Benoit or Wilhelmsen as an alternate until his feet are wet, then let him go. His record in #Japan tells me there might be quite something in store.</p>

<p>Also re: Benoit ... feeling from rival GM's is supposedly that DiPoto won't commit to Benoit as closer because he wants to bring in a better reliever next time ... t'would be nice, no?</p>