...as a professional chin strap stylist.
Actually, I think he's like Plan C. There was contact between the Tigers and his agent, but he's only going to get signed if the Mud Hen Boyz poop.
Would you rather have CC, or have a guy that has a 15% chance of being as good as CC in 4 years? TINSTAAPP.
By the way, the Twins shit out above average young pitchers.
"Not only that, he is a question mark in a bleak future. Sheffield, Pudge, Maggs, Guillen, Renteria, Polanco, Rogers, Jones and Robertson will be gone or useless within 3 years."
I agree with the majority of this list, but Polanco and Maggs should still be decent to good players in a couple years. The future isn't altogether bleak - Cabrera, Granderson, and Verlander form a solid core to build around. I like the development of Dolsi and Galarraga [despite the fact they're both 26] and I have hopes that Zumaya's career and health may be settling in. Bonderman is still a giant question mark.
The farm has some decent field talent, especially guys like Iorg and Worth at SS and 3rd [however that shakes out]. I think, also, that either Joyce or Thomas will emerge as a day-to-day MLB player.
Keep in mind also that a ton of money comes off the books after this year. They will be able to spend on the market. But, I do agree with your main point: there is a potentiality that this recent "semi-success" could come crumbling down. I think we've got to see smart draft choices, good player development, and targeted spending on the open market. I think the bullpen, after this draft, is in good hands, but I'm concerned about left-handed starting pitching. To me, that has to be a FA priority for DD.
Chitown,
If Cleveland would give up Sabathia for Porcello and, say, Matt Joyce, I'd do it in a frickin' heartbeat. While Porcello might one day be the next Josh Beckett, the thought of having a one-two punch like Verlander and CC anchoring your rotation with Manderbon as the third starter over the next few years is just too tantalizing a thought of passing up on. Sabathia will only be 28 this July the 21st, so, DD should be more than comfortable in signing him to a 5 year deal in the neighborhood of $75 million, especially considering the money he seems to have flushed down the toilet for guys like Willis and Robertson. The question is, do the Tribe have the clock weights deal him within their own division?