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For his first few years as GM to be considered a reasonable success, Z has always needed one of Ackley-Smoak-Montero to become a good MLB hitter. If Ackley has finally come around, I am good w/ Z as GM going forward. I do note he picked the right one to keep in the lineup and the right two to flush to the minors. M's are consistently good at picking the best guys to play - it's just been a lack of overall talent pool that has hampered them.
If this series shows they are not quite at the level of a team like the Nationals...that's fine. They don't have to be this year, they just need to get into that weaselly "one game playoff" that all the smart people are so fond of scoffing at. And we'll see where the dice roll from there. Go M's!