My one wish would have been to go after a top line pitching coach, and get something out of those live arms we have in the bull pen. I have not heard many glowing recommendations about the new hire.
1) Signing Justin Upton: A Carl Crawford trade would be very nice but i think that blocks a kid like Upton, AND we have to get him signed. With the remarkable ascent of Stephen Drew this last year after not playing for an
entire year is nothing short of startling. The D'backs going for the top prospect despite the signing worries has really paid off huge already and to assume a player of Uptons ability couldn't do the same is short sighted. I think he can be that lead off man we need and im thinking in like 2007 or sooner. Griffey Jr. and AROD both were playing at 18 and Gammons compared Utpon to both of them when he described him as a "once a decade prospect" So i think getting him signed as soon as MLB rules allow should be a high priority just to find out how good he really is.
2) Big time young pitcher: Wish list right? Well i would like to see Byrnes come in right off the bat and take a gamble in trading for a young durable picture. If we have to flip Javy Vasquez maybe include a prospect and see if we can get a buy low/sell high young pitching prospect...Erik Bedard?? Cole Hamels? I'm not sure either of those guys are sure fire prospects, but they play for teams that i think would be viable and its a risk the team needs to make. I trust in Byrnes talent evaluating ability history although i heard his name connected to a bad draft in Cleveland. A more vetran pitcher like Zito? We made a mistake last year when we didn't try to get Contreras out of the Yankees in our many trade talks. He has now developed to the point that with his nasty stuff, he is a legit ace. Thats the kind of risk we have to take, because Webb is great but best as a 2....
Maybe Mark Prior for a Cubs team in dissaray and concerns if he can ever stay healthy? I'm not sure that would be a smart move by the Cubs, but who knows?
3)Look to the future: Trading away players that our short term answers and blocking the paths of some of our prospects seems the best way to go. I feel like the front office feels a loyalty to vets like Gonzo and want to surround them with players who can help them win now. That should not be a concern any longer as we have to move on from how we worked in the past.
In fact i would like to go for a young but talented team but that in a year or two when those young players become big contributors, we can augment them with money spent in the right places. We might have enough talent to win with the young guys if we get the right pitching performances. Everyone kills the Marlins for their fire sale, but those rough couple years has led to them being a contender year in and year out and they have another title to boot.
4) Catcher: I'm not saying anything original here. The one reason a player ike Molina shouldn't be to discounted is because of the way he controls a pitching staff and leadership. Our team thrived when we had a defensive vet catcher in Damian Miller. Thats the kind of production we need in that department and a Ramon Hernandez signing would be a great step in the right direction, although if im not mistaken Ramon is known for his offensive prowess moreso.
5) Someone fiery in the dugout: I don't mind Shawn Green and Tony Clark and its good beacuse they are the two vets most likely to not be traded. But everyone from our prospects, to our vets, to our coachs are so docile. I feel like Melvin presides over a mortuary every time i look into that dugout. Since its unlikely they fire the manager, get someone in there who is going to light a fire under somebody. Wally Backman as hitting coach
??? Anyone? Anyone?
The front office should identify what young pitching the want right now and be figuring out what chips they could have to flip to get some of those players. If we can acquire a couple young starters as good as Westbrook and Sabathia in Cleveland, we have a chance to be competing division titles sooner rather then later...
I will say one thng about his hiring....It has caused my apathy to dissapear...im thinking we hit it big with a couple of these young guys (Drew, Jackson, Quentin, Tracy) and then if we have a savvy boy wonder GM, it can make all the difference of the course of the season and down the road.....
smiley for our GM? 
