By the time most of those guys get their shot and truly start to hit their stride, Shaw/Nelson/Anderson/Davies/Knebel/Santana/Braun/Thames will be near the end of their contracts. And a hypothetical Lance Lynn or Jake Arrieta deal would be nearly over. I don't have extremely high expectations for that group you list at the top, but chances are, most of them will be hitting their stride in 2020 in the pros if any break through...just in time to have half of the roster turning over anyways in the following 2 offseasons. Absolutely. That's why I rather find out now who could be part of a future rotation and bullpen. Sign Arieta, or don't sign him. Trade for Archer, or not. Either way they are not winning a WS with this core group anyhow, So I'm all about the next wave. I'm building around Santana, Arcia, Brinson, Phillips, Hader, etc. And most of the guys you mentioned above aren't THAT old, some of them can still be pieces a few years from now. I'm thinking Anderson and Davies, maybe Shaw/Knebel. Certainly Santana. Guys like Ponce and Perrin are trade bait at this point, and the return isn't much. That's why I rather see if we have something there, let them pitch. It's not that big of a reach given their backgrounds. Maybe you find lightning in a bottle, now they're much more valuable either to keep or trade. Otherwise, it's a panic trade before this time next year.