If we plan on losing JBJ and one or more from Price, Eovaldi and Betts, then we won't have to worry about staying under the luxury tax line. Anything we can get for JD, even by pitching in $10M might still be better than him opting out.
Everyone says it all starts with JD, which in terms of time, it does, but the plans for other players may be more important and may effect what we do with JD, if he doesn't opt out.
The no QO idea looks good. We only get a pick after the 4th round anyway.