Signing Darvish has a nice trickle down affect on the farm system as well. No pick surrendered and it probably means the arm they trade for won't have a steep acquisition cost.
Spring Training being 6 weeks is mostly for the benefit of SPs to build up to 100 pitches. Darvish can hold out do to being the top guy. But if I'm Jaime Garcia, Chris Tillman, Lance Lynn, and maybe Cobb I'm getting nervous this week.
So Heyman thinks the Brewers have the top offer. Cubs only want him at a discounted deal. Dodgers can't shed payroll and neither can Texas. But brewers having the top offer doesn't matter because it's stay way under what Darvish thinks he deserves. So this trickles down to the other FA pitchers and trading target acquisition costs. Sound about right.
In fanrag's latest it appears DS still looking to improve the bullpen. Do to low cost signings so far. Probably sees a bargain or two still on the market. Oh, Watson, etc etc
if Santana is involved Indians make so much sense. Contract details could be Kipnis. Maybe the Tribe would eat some of his contract? Santana for Kipnis, Salazar, + cash