I'm really late to the show here as I've been away, but after watching yesterday's game, I really can't blame Gibbons at all. Is talking to him really going to change much? The guy's a veteran at this stage of his career. Sometimes we believe in some cooky stuff. Pep talks are probably one of them.
Anyway, Price was dealing well until he hit that wall. If I'm Gibbons, I don't see that one coming at all. If I'm in Gibbons place I don't go to the bullpen either. He did so well to that point that you have to give him the benefit of doubt that he'll pull it together. He didn't and that sucks, but really KC was hitting to every gap possible. Sometimes that just happens. Goins should've caught that ball or not called it - costly mistake, but #### happens.
I personally don't see them coming back as KC has been a bad matchup for them, but I still hope they do. As for the off-season, I hope AA does a few things, having been exposed this playoffs in a few ways.
1) Resign Price if it's around $22M/year under 5 years
2) Shore up that bullpen (especially LHP)
3) Deal the unproductive free swingers for guys who will get on base. By unproductive, I'm not talking about just HR's, I'm talking about finding ways to get on base. Specifically, I'm looking at dealing Martin. I don't know who could be his replacement, but I'd love to get that A1 catcher.
4) Deal one of the big bats for another Ace. I'm not sure if Bautista's HR bought him some time, but I'm pretty sure him or EE will be one of the pieces AA can dangle. It'd be sad to see them go, but they're at their peak now.
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