If this is No Man’s Land where are the Pirates? Or the Rockies? That feels overly dire to me. With the young talent in place and on its way I’d say we’re closer to the Waiting Room even if they do finish with their first losing full season in almost a decade.
How are they not fully committing to a youth movement? They’ve got the 5th youngest position player group in MLB. Eight of their top ten batters by PAs so far this year are 27 or younger under long term control.
Last year Contreras, Chourio, Ortiz, Frelick, Turang, Mitchell, and Perkins combined for 20 WAR. This year they are on pace for like 11 or 12. Young players (& Yelich) are the main cause(s) of the team’s struggles to this point.
Between various injuries to Quero, Black, Boeve and Wilken last year, plus Pratt still being incredibly young (one of only five players 20 or younger in AA) none of their upper level prospects are really in a position to help the MLB team at the moment.