bikemike, that focus seems only on SS. The problem is that they don’t have three starting outfielders without Edman there. O’Neill flamed out and was traded. Noot isn’t ideally a CF and Carlson can’t hit right-handers. Edman is the CF by necessity.
And Winn was hitting up a storm in Triple-A last summer before his promotion. His defense was already ready. He has shown he can play to that level. He struggled in a 37-game debut with St. Louis, but he is rightfully getting more time than that.
Regarding the 2024 strategy, it sure doesn’t feel like “win now” to me. It feels like a transition year and try to be competitive until they can sort out which of the nine top prospect pitchers close to the majors will be good enough to join the rotation.