moonslav59

Yes, but we filled the 1B opening and maybe could get by with Chavis/Lin/Chatham/Marco at 2B. If we also trade JBJ,we're almost at $29M saved. Minus the $10.5 we need to reset,we'd have about $18M to spend on cheap FAs to fill 2 SP'er slots,CF and a RP'er. I think we can get a defensive CF'er at close to the min. We may just passon adding any expensive pen pieces and pray for DHern and/or some other prospect to add to returning Workman, Barnes,Taylor & Walden. That might leave $5M to spend on each SP'er,or we try DHern in the rotation. Here are some MLBTR projected salaries for low cost starters: $9M x 2 Tanner Roark (30+ GS'd in 5 of last 6 years) $9M x 2 Julio Teheran (4th in GS'd 2013-2019) $8M x 2 Wade Miley $8M/1 Alex Wood $4M x 2 Josh Lindblom (my sleeper pick) $3M/1 Drew Smily Honorable Mentions: Brett Anderson, Homer Bailey, Gio Gonzalez Can any of these guys give us legitimate hopes in 2020 -more than having JBJ and a healthy Price?

Here's the rub,to me: the whole we can still be competitive in 2020 mantra has been based on the (slim) hopes that Sale,Price and Eovaldi all return to form. It's hard to build a case for us being competitive without a healthy Price, Eovaldi and JBJ. I guess it might depend on what we get back in return (shouldn't be much) plus who we can sign with the savings, but it seems like playing it "halfway" could be the worst option. "Could be." I'm really torn on what path to take. One day I feel like we should trade 5 guys (Betts, JBJ, Price, Eovaldi& JD), but the next day I'm thinking just JBJ and wait to July. I kind of feel like it should be one or five not 2-4 players dealt.

You may not have to add anything (or just throw-in or cash), if you take back a lesser salary dump player. Price for Myers Eovaldi + a little cash for Reddick

I like this idea, but I'd add JBJ. Use the money to fill all the holes with cheap FAs or by trade. If we look to be out of it in July, look to trade JD and/or Betts. I still think trying to stay halfway competitors weakens the rebuilding efforts and extends the time frame from becoming highly competitive.

With all the others gone, and JD likely opting out after 2020,especiallyif we blow everything up, why keep him just for one"rebuilding" year?

Just because a guy was a playoff stud long ago,doesn't mean he will always be one. Look at Josh Beckett. He was on his way to being one of the best money pitchers in history, then ...

Cole was way better than Bumgarner in 2017- before going to the Astros.

There is "Waiting for the Sun."

I hope the Yanks sign the 3 highest contracts ever recorded.

Betts to the Dodgers. JD to the White Sox. Eovaldi & JBJ to Astros. Price to the Padres.

I understand you feelings, but we'd still get to watch Devers & Bogey, DHern & ERod, Vaz & Dalbec...

Yes, it's sad, but sadder still might be a plan that keeps us non contending even longer than just 1-2 years.

Great song. Also....

Funny. We have just 3 OF'er on our roster (not counting JD) and will likely trade 1 (JBJ) or 2 (Betts).

At least he didn't sign a HRam and Pablo on November 25th.

Well, like you said, we only win when we least expect it, so I'm thinking our odds are long. (See how I twisted that around on you?!?) Seriously, to me, it comes down to the fact that we will have to rebuild at some point. One can argue, we can win in 2021, too, and just keep "going for it," but it will involve more spending. I see your point, and I've not placed myself in either camp, yet, but I do think that if we decide to reset and rebuild before and during 2020, we can turn things around faster and create a stronger roster going forward than by putting it off a year and maybe getting nothing for Betts and others. It's a tough call. I'm about 50-50 but leaning towards beginning the reset now, because I think the 2020 odds are too long to be worth sacrificing the time and quality or the pending rebuild.

One wonders if JBJ could play just 1 game, then get red hot.

The Yanks have all those guys returning plus the replacements that did very well, last year. It's hard to spin that to a negative, but I commend your attempt. They will be massive favorites after they sign Cole or Stasburg.

1. E-Rod continues to perform like a 20 win starter. Check 2. The offensive core of Betts / JD / Devers / Bogaerts has to perform like it has the past two years (which guys are hot doesn't matter as much; it seems to average out). Check 3. Sale, Price, and Eovaldi overall make at least 80 starts and pitch to a decent 4.00 ERA 80 starts, yes, they need to reach this but likely will not. They'd need better than 4.00 to get us another ring. 4. The 5th starter ends up being a pleasant surprise. If 3 happens at 3.50 ERA, we can do without a good 5th starter. 5. The bullpen really only needs one more effective arm than it had last year to make a big difference. We need repeats from Workman, Taylor & Walden, a return to form from Barnes, and only then we might need only 1 more decent arm. More likely, we need 2-3 more arms or DHern to shine. 6. The first and second base options are strong on defense and are decent bottom of the order contributors. Very doubtful we get this without going way over the luxury tax line. 7. JBJ, if he's still here, doesn't get to play until like July except as a defensive replacement. He actually heats up on May 21st or 22nd- every year since 2016. 2017: .637 on May 20th, then went 2-5 and was at .650 by May 26th and .700 by May 28th. He was over .750 by June 1st and .800 by June 12th. 2018: .519 on May 21st, then went 2-4 and was at .600 on May 31st, .650 by the end of July and .700 by the end of August. 2019: .443 on May 21st, then went 2-4 and was at .500 in 2 days, .550 by May 28th, .600 the next day, .650 by June 13th and .700 by June 23rd. Waiting until July would miss his hottest streaks.

I get the problem, but I find it interesting how you stated the financial issue. To me Sale is a push. We have 2 bad super big contracts (both could turn plus or close to even) and 2 good ones. It's not the end of the world. We can win in 2020 without JBJ, and that is all we have to trade to reset. We could trade some salary, like Price, and not get worse. We could use those saving to fill some key gaps with low cost deals. It's not easy, and I know our odds don't look good for 2020, but there's still a sliver of hope.

Rule 5 Possibilities https://thesportsdaily.com/2019/11/27/10-players-available-in-the-rule-5-draft-to-keep-an-eye-on/ Top prospects in the 2019 Rule 5 Draft WWW.MLB.COM On Wednesday, teams had to decide which of their prospects merited placement on 40-man rosters. Unprotected prospects are subject to the Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings if they signed by age 18 and have completed five pro seasons, or if they signed at age 19 or older and

Just 2 guys- Price and Eovaldi are a "ton" while two guys, JD and Bogey, are "only two guys." Price and Eovaldi may give us half to 3/4 of their contract cost. It's even possible they earn their full cost- not likely but possible. We also have Devers, Beni, Vaz, ERod and others earning way more than their costs. We have a nice core.

I'd be fine with Broxton. He won't cost as much as Marisnik did, either.