[gern11]

Joe Morgan and Steve Carlton have exercised their player options and both will test the free-agent market.

Truthfully, those two decisions are just added incentive to potential break things up here and start a rebuild. Our core - Morgan, Carlton, Bench, Blue - have left indelible fingerprints over an unprecedented nine-year run of championship glory. Can't thank them enough for what they provided the fanbase and our organization.

We have some exciting, maturing pieces, especially on the left side of the infield witb George Brett and Robin Yount. Dave Stewart and Mike Scott are pushing their way into rotation consideration. Bruce Sutter is lined up to close for years to come. There is a foundation. Building upon it in a timely fashion will be the trick.

We miss out on some generational pieces in this upcoming draft, notably Rickey Henderson, but we will be active moving pieces this winter.