THE CRUCIFIX: Cato: Wood isn't thrilled w/ his role...Will depart in the summer

[ItsGoTime]

I have thought this before, but don't think it is quite right. There's another qualifier that is crucial imo, and that's the contract.

Instead, the situation you want is to getting the player BOTH before the breakout season AND while he is being paid on a relatively-low salary with several more years to go on that current pay scale.

The problem with Wood is that if he does have a breakout season, you likely have to pay through the nose for helping to make that happen. There's no cost control. It may be a choice coming between overpay, and getting nothing for your work in his breakout. Nothing gained really, unless you can trade off Wood for very good assets before someone (not you) overpays him.

But you are right in the general observation that it's vital to start with players who are not as good, and then who get much better --- iow, gotta be experts in player development. But you need to harvest that gained value too.

Sure, that can be a part of it, but the right fit will eventually cost you no matter when in their contract you acquire them. Best to acquire said player than not because of the contract status.