The signs were there a while ago, hence my argument regarding Fisher back in 2020 and then myself turning on Shatkins then. It's how they're evaluating these players they go after or aquire and hoping they turn into this player they think they will be, or hoping they can magically bring out that old player again.
Like regarding Fisher for instance, they saw him as this core type player in a way for the future when they acquired him, but after he was failing they couldn't admit they were wrong and just kept trying to keep him around, when it was clear he sucked. Cavan Biggio another great example, someone who should of been gone 2-3 seasons ago, but again kept hoping he would turn it around, but it was clear he wasn't, but they just couldn't admit they were wrong.
Mitch White another guy who should of never been around as long as he was, but again they kept hoping he would turn it around when it was clear he wasn't, they finally budged and got ride of him, but it took way too long. Vogelbach another guy who they traded for back in 2020 from the Mariners who was released 9 days later after trading for him, at least they didn't hang onto him, but hey 4 years later let's sign him and try it again... Like really...