We'll see. For the longest time, fans have complained that the issue is location. The new ballpark is basically in the same location in St Pete. The facility will be nicer, but somehow I don't think the facility is what is preventing fans from showing up for playoff games...
It's obvious to everyone that he's worn out from playing 162 games and won't OPS over 500 for 2023 playoffs. I figured that from my eye test of watching zero Rangers postseason games.
He's not listed in the FA Tracker yet.
RHB with fWAR over 1.5:
Chapman
JD
Mitch Garver
Lourdes Gurriel
Duvall
Pham
Teoscar
Gary Sanchez
Michael Taylor
No clear big boppers.
The problem with Trout is you're getting the end of the second contract Trout. You're getting the declining Trout. Any upside is pretty much gone. If they are trading Mayer for him, the Angels would have to eat $150M. His contract then becomes 8/134 (16.75 AAV). He's good enough now to earn 2 fWAR in a part time role, but that is less likely as he gets older.
I think a replacement player seems self evident: a guy you're bringing up from AAA to fill in. Think the end of the 2022 season and Abraham Almonte (11 seasons, 463 games, 1.1 fWAR, 1 bWAR, 162 Game AVG 0.3).
Eliminated teams
TB gave up 11 runs in 2 games #2 pitching staff in fWAR
MIA gave up 11 runs in 2 games #8 in fWAR
TOR gave up 5 runs in 2 games #5 in fWAR
MIL gave up 11 runs in 2 games #12 in fWAR