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That this team needs to score more runs, a LOT more runs.  And I think that the 2010 offense WILL score more runs.  But what I think what Sandy is saying is ALSO very true, that EVERY decision you make HAS to take defense into consideration, otherwise the tendency will be for defense to slide.  Even if the intention is for it NOT to slide, by simply not emphasizing it, even the same set of players will tend to "let up" on defense over time, Tampa Bay from 2008 to 2009 for example.  Largely the same players, yet they got more concerned about their offense than their defense, and viola.  So if sacrificing a few runs on offense to take Chone at 3rd instead of, say Lowell, or Kotchman at 1st instead of Adam Dunn, then it is worth it to keep the entire teams mindset FOCUSED on defense.  And then when we DO bring in AGone, or Prince in July they will know by the clubhouse that they must concentrate on defense every single pitch.
It isn't just about preventing more and more runs it is about keeping the run prevention we already have.  And for that reason as long as JackyZ is at the Helm you can cross off all the Dunn's and Dye's in the world (unless they come here to DH).
Great article, Sandy, cPoints to ya.