Bluntly stated: “If you have one of the best farm systems in baseball, it is Felony Stupid to waste it.” We have repeatedly seen that buying expensive free agents is no guarantee of anything. Baseball executives are becoming painfully aware that youth and energy, and enthusiasm are really valuable things. I am not saying that age and experience are not necessary, but successful organizations need to blend them together. Andrew Friedman has built a very good farm system for that, he deserves much credit. I do, however, fault him for calling up players a year late. Players like Miguel Vargas, Mike Busch, Gavin Stone, and James Outman have little to learn at AAA… unless they show that they still do.
It’s Time to Let the Kids Play
