M-C-G wrote:
That is great because you can package some of those second tier guys to get a Grienke. Gives you lots of options because you just need one team with an ace that is looking to rebuild or realizes they won't be able to afford the extension and would jump all over a trade with a quantity of high quality prospects.
I don't think an ace is absolutely necessary anymore to reach the World Series.
The Royals made it in back to back years, winning it all once without an ace. Corey Kluber who was so great for Cleveland wasn't viewed as a special prospect in the minors. On the flip side, multiple teams with an ace or even two of them don't make it.
The game has changed because of how teams use bullpens today. If a team has an upper tier bullpen, a solid overall rotation can be enough to reach the World Series. Just getting to the playoffs is the biggest key.
With days off in the playoffs and managers not needing anymore to be as careful about overusing their pen like so during a regular season, teams with a deep and great pen just need 5 to 6 solid innings at most from a starter.
Obviously it would be better to have an ace to go with solid other starters, but if say you have two lower 3 ERA starters to go with a few more competent starters to mix with a quality bullpen, your team can reach the playoffs and then things are up for grabs. Don't have to be a 100 plus win team to advance.