If you have a crap system, why would you go with safe picks? The team was devoid of talent. You aren't winning by drafting Jeff Kobernus or Trevor Holder. I'm pretty sure the team recognized that they needed to rebuild which is why they punted 2006-2008 and hoped that the draft talent would take over from there. The Royals did a similar thing. Had the worst farm system when Dayton Moore entered in 2006. Now they are lights years ahead of any other system.
But you win with Danny Espinosa and Drew Storen.
