Well, Escobar is hitting .254 for the season and Baty is hitting.243, so it's a wash. When Escobar was signed after the 2021 season, it was a sound deal. I think even you liked it at the time. That said, I'm very happy the Brewers didn't burn $$ on the Vogelhacks, Narvaezs and other meatballs, whose agents deserve a lot of credit for finding the fool with the leaky checkbook.
I'm a believer that the Mets seriously over performed last season, which became apparent when they were swept by the Braves in the final weekend and rolled over in the playoffs. I also think that losing Diaz cuts much deeper than is apparent. You lose not only your closer, but every other bullpen arm has to step up and perform in a way that was never intended for them, whether that's working extra innings, back to back games or pitching in high leverage situations.
With Buck, I'm not sure how you'd proceed. Do you bench Nimmo for making blunders? Does Lindor sit for a few games and bat 8th when he returns? No less a superstar producer than Donaldson muscled his way into Boone's office and made the man bow down to his medicore play by promising he'd see regular action.
Today's managers have to treat these spoiled veterans with kid gloves.
