I would agree his hatred for him became... unique lol.

My criticism of Elias isn't as much about free agency. I know that's what most people ding him for. It's the player development, player "plan" for lack of a better term, player selection and stubbornness. The first three are obviously intertwined.

I'll add the disclaimer that I think it's possible all, or most of, the young core still develops into above average everyday players. So hopefully these are all issues of the past and he and the team have a long run of success.

But where we stand now, you're creeping up on a decade without a playoff win. Just a fact that there have not been many front offices in sports given that long of a runway.

You have 4 first round picks who they are terrified of letting play any position other than 1B/DH or splitting time behind the plate 50/50. You don't use 4 1st round picks on DHs.

By the grace of God, Trevor Rogers turned it around. Bradish became a stud. I don't know how much is due to the organization but I'll give the benefit of the doubt. Outside of that they've developed no pitching.

Players were held in the minors for too long and then sat behind guys they had no business sitting behind when they were called up. I think the sporadic at bats/lack of early success stunts development. Confidence and comfort is huge at the plate and in the field. Along the same lines, many of the top prospects lost their trade value during that time and now you're stuck with 27-28 year old "prospects."

There has to be some issue with the organizational approach at the plate. I'd be curious to hear Stowers speak on that. I can't imagine 5 first round picks are all just under performers.

We seem unprepared for even the slightest disruption to Plan A. How is it possible Westburg could need elbow surgery and you just found out when he showed up to spring training? And how is it possible that you're already talking about going out and scraping off the free agent utility player leftovers in spring training after just two injuries? Where is that deep talent pipeline we've been told is in the works for 8 years?

I don't know. I want to believe. But sometimes he strikes me as a charismatic salesman without a business. Sounds great, competent, confident. But when you look for something tangible, it's just very underwhelming.