have a history of looking out for others or running interference for anyone other than themselves so it is fairly reasonable to doubt they would be doing that now. They could still be serious solely on their own behalf. Sports Illustrated becomes a bigger joke with each passing day and a periodical once considered a standard has become largely a clickbait joke. I think the reality is the Noles saw last year's 10-3 season as an opportunity to scream for more money while concocting a ready made excuse should current year results revert to the mean. Their plan was ill conceived, poorly executed and has left them looking more pathetic and weak than their record and follies since 2014 did. They have crawled far out on a limb and it may get cut off leaving them in a freefall. Drew Weatherford, with his sports, education and business background should have been an asset but, so far he appears more puppet than prophet.