jay87shot

No way Otani comes here, now maybe if the Angels want to build around Otani, Trout could make more sense. Yeli would have to be involved which make a deal tough since the Angels already have Rendon on a sketchy long term deal.

How can you project a rookies wRC+, thats way to difficult. Turang played 44 games in AAA in 2021 as a 21 year old not 2 full years and his shown great improvement every year, trading him would be a mistake. He is our only decent MI prospect and he is just starting to develop power (something like 10 of his 13 HR's in 2nd half). Keeping Turang in AAA a little while doesn't hurt his value if the plan is to keep him. Worst case he has to play in AAA 1 more year and then takes over when Wong leaves after the year.

Interesting, Wong is worth the 8 million however I really though that Attenasio's comments over the weekend hint at us freeing up salary and then making some trades. Does this make a Willy trade more likely or just make Turang wait longer (Turang trade?) I haven't read much of this thread but I know it's been brought up elsewhere of picking up the option and then trading him. I doubt that happens but he is a 3+WAR (with more upside if his defense comes back) player so he would probably net us a solid reliever or decent mid-level prospect in a trade.

Yeah, I have said this a bunch but Jansen isn't worth anything more than Tyler Black and a lower ranked prospect at best.

I didn't mean their rotation was better but pretty comparable solid 1-3, workable 4-5. Also it looks like they had less injuries which is a plus. I would take Burnes, Woody, Peralta in a series but it is close and not close to enough to make up for the pen and lineup issues.

Their talent is way above ours, they had a solid 1-3 in Wheeler, Nola, Suarez and added in Syndergaard. Their pen was much deeper with Knebel, Dominguez, Alvardo, Hand, and Bellatti being solid late inning options. Then there is the lineups, they had 5 everyday guys hit over .260 (6 if you count the short time Marsh was there). We had 3 over .240. They had 5 passible middle of the order hitters in Harper, Realmuto, Castellanos, Schwarber, and Hoskins, we maybe had 1 with Renfroe (I don't count Rowdy with a .219 avg). So yes the Phillies talent was way above ours, we benefited from 57 games (i think) vs. the reds, cubs, and pirates.

Sure but the phillies had a payroll of 190+ million. They already had Harper, Scwarber, Realmuto, Castellanos, and Segura as big name/payroll guys in the lineup. The bigger market allowed them to bring in Syndergaard and improve. Our lineup and resources fall way short of the Phillies.

8 years for Adames is way to much, he is a very good player but only superstars get 8 years. I would say like 5/84 (8,12,20,20,20 (4 mill buyout on 20 million 6th year option)).

Say the ownership pushes it up to 150 million and goes for it. Does that really have a chance against the teams spending 300 million or close to it. Would adding say Jose Abreu and not losing anyone really push this team much. Maybe we make the playoffs where we have a punchers chance but we are way off a team like the Dodgers, Braves, or Mets talent wise overall.

I am starting to like Burnes to Atlanta a lot. We could get 2 of Contreras, Grissom, or Muller (maybe Ian Anderson) and they have a blend of interesting arms through their system. The Braves don't have much space for Contreras or Grissom (if they resign Swanson) when fully healthy so adding Burnes to Strider, Fried, Wright, and Morton would be sick. Contreras, Grissom, and Ian Anderson for Burnes and Taylor/Urias. Not sure what Andersons' value is but he seems expendable if getting Burnes. Then that would allow us to trade Adames to LAD (or wherever) for a couple strong pitchers. Atl could also be interested in Willy if Swanson signs elsewhere.

For Burnes we would need Grayson Rodriguez in the deal. Whomever the headliner is in a Burnes deal we need them to be mlb ready. Jackson Holiday is great and I would love to have him but having to wait 3 years for a guy to maybe develop into a star isn't enough for the best pitcher this franchise has ever had. I still don't think Baltimore makes that big big move sending out prospects. Maybe at the deadline if they are in it, it just seems a bit early. I think ATL, LAD, NYM, TOR, PHILLY, and NYY all make more sense for a Burnes deal since they are all there have some passable package and money for Corbin.

There would be lots of ways to build trades for these guys, for example if the Mets want Burnes/ they could include Francisco Alvarez who would have the value of a top 25 and top 100 as a top 5 overall prospect. Additionally we could make a trade more like the Mike Clevinger deal (maybe for Woody or Adames) where we get like 6 solid pieces but none are top 50 prospects. We could also get an established MLB player(s) for someone. Overall your values are good, I would trade 1, extend 1, keep 1 if possible. Burnes would be the likely trade since his extension will be a ton, I have been torn on who to extend. It might come down to what we would get for Burnes on who to extend if we get better bats extend Woody and if we get better arms extend Willy.

I agree with the idea that Willy should be a great at 3rd defensively, but ultimately this all comes down to Turang. The organization should know well enough if he is going to handle 2B and transition to SS or just take over right away. I think from Willy perspective SS would be better, he has a chance(s) to win a gold glove at SS but I doubt at 3rd he would win one over Arenado or Hayes. That being said I don't think Willy would be one to make a big stink if it was best for the team.

I agree with the idea that Willy should be a great at 3rd defensively, but ultimately this all comes down to Turang. The organization should know well enough if he is going to handle 2B and transition to SS or just take over right away. I think from Willy perspective SS would be better, he has a chance(s) to win a gold glove at SS but I doubt at 3rd he would win one over Arenado or Hayes. That being said I don't think Willy would be one to make a big stink if it was best for the team.

I would pass on Manny, if he was a free agent and we could get a minor league deal I would say yes in a heartbeat. I just wouldn't give up anything for him. D'Arnaud would be interesting, I wouldn't give up a major prospect (top 8 or so). I like the Renfroe idea, maybe Lauer would work as well. Contreras and one of Vaughn Grissom or Kyle Muller, would be the start of a good Woody or Burnes package. I doubt the Braves would do something like Lauer, Mitchell, and a lesser piece for Contreras but that would be optimal in my book.

I would pass on Manny, if he was a free agent and we could get a minor league deal I would say yes in a heartbeat. I just wouldn't give up anything for him. D'Arnaud would be interesting, I wouldn't give up a major prospect (top 8 or so). I like the Renfroe idea, maybe Lauer would work as well. Contreras and one of Vaughn Grissom or Kyle Muller, would be the start of a good Woody or Burnes package. I doubt the Braves would do something like Lauer, Mitchell, and a lesser piece for Contreras but that would be optimal in my book.

1) Kikucki has great stuff and our staff has had success with guys tweeking small mechanics, grips, or adding a pitch and making a difference. I just used Ray as a reference as a guy who had the stuff and struggled but something small changed his results. I am sure you could put in a top 10 prospect in the Jays system instead and then sign a pitcher. I didn't put it in the numbers but I am sure we could get the Jays to pay off some of his 2/24 to make it more favorable since he has a career 5 era. 2) Diaz is awful at 3rd but has a +2 drs in over 900 innings at 1st in his career. The bat would bring a ton of consistency to the team and play from 2-5 in the lineup. Diaz was worth 3.5 WAR last year and thats with -5 drs at 3rd, if he would continue average work at 1st that is a huge improvement over Rowdy. I get Rowdy should get some pick me up with the shift but I doubt it's 3 wins worth. 3) I really meant any higher end lefty reliever, Matt Moore, Taylor Rogers, Will Smith, Andrew Chafin, Brad Hand, Aroldis Chapman and maybe some righties with good splits who could fit the 4-8 million price range on a 1 or 2 year deal. I just picked a younger Marlins pitchers, I like Sanchez's upside but acknowledge there is a large risk. I am sure you could switch in a different starter with a little adjustment. Maybe even a reliever like Tanner Scott would work.

1)Pickup Wong Option 2)Extend Woody (6/115, 11,16, 4 at 22) 3)Trade Burnes to Tor for Moreno, Tiedmann, Yusei Kikuchi, Tanner Morris, and lotto type piece 4)Trade Adames to Dodgers Vargas, Pepiot, Emmett Sheehan 5)Trade Rowdy for Sixto Sanchez 5)Trade Yandy Diaz for Estuery Ruiz, Justin Jarvis, a PTBNL (mid level) 6)Trade Houser to Ari for Seth Beer and Bryce Jarvis 7)Keston to Detriot for a prospect 8)Sign an experienced lefty pen option Britton 1/6 with incentives for games pitched that goes to 1/10. Start with a 6 man rotation with Pepiot, Ashby, and Sanchez piggybacking 3 spots. If things go well end with a 5 man and make the odd man/men out high caliber relief pitchers. Tiedmann (Gasser/Sheehan) could be ready at some point too making lots of end of the year high end arms and depth. I feel there is a Robbie Ray type jump possible in Kikuchi if he can hone in on accuracy and cut the long ball. In this case our pitching team has done well and would reap some value (we could even get Toronto to eat a little of his salary). Diaz, Vargas, and Urias split 1B/3B, I put Diaz at 1st and Vargas at 3rd because Diaz is a slightly below average 3B to give the young guy a shot. Urias and Taylor get plenty of ab's as key reserves. Also Yeli can step in and play OF occasionally. We also would have a bunch of money and prospect capitol to make a big move at the deadline if need be. I get that 5 rookies in everyday positions isn't reasonable or likely but with an experienced bench I think it could work C: Moreno ($0.7M) 1B: Yandy Diaz ($6M) 2B: Kolton Wong ($8M) 3B: Miguel Vargas ($0.7M) SS: Brice Turang ($0.7M) LF: Sal Frelich ($.7M) CF: Garrett Mitchell ($0.70M) RF: Hunter Renfroe ($11.20M) DH: Christian Yelich ($22M) Bench OF: Tyrone Taylor ($2M) Utility: Luis Urias ($4.5M) Utility: Brousseau ($1M) Backup C: Caratini ($2.8M) SP1: Woodruff ($11M) SP2: Yusei Kikuchi ($12M) SP3: Freddy Peralta ($3.50M) SP4: Eric Lauer ($5.20M) SP5: Pepiot ($0.7M) CL: Devin Williams ($3.20M) RP: Strezlecki ($0.7M) RP: Matt Bush ($2.00M) RP: Brad Boxberger ($3.00M) RP: Hoby Milner ($1.10M) RP: Zach Britton ($6M) RP: Aaron Ashby ($1.00M) RP: Sanchez ($0.7M) Payroll is 14.54% under budget

I don't mind the 2 years until FA to much, I think Diaz wouldn't be crazy expensive in trade value and could be a guy that if he plays solid an extension wouldn't be to overbearing.

I don't mind the 2 years until FA to much, I think Diaz wouldn't be crazy expensive in trade value and could be a guy that if he plays solid an extension wouldn't be to overbearing.

Willy is a good SS, last year he was worth +9 runs, for the rest of his career he has been around slightly above average. The case would be that if Turang is really a plus defender at SS, we wouldn't lose anything defensively and then we would improve 3rd tremendously by putting Adames there. When we potentially lose Adames it would be an easier transition because Turang wouldn't have to move.

Willy is a good SS, last year he was worth +9 runs, for the rest of his career he has been around slightly above average. The case would be that if Turang is really a plus defender at SS, we wouldn't lose anything defensively and then we would improve 3rd tremendously by putting Adames there. When we potentially lose Adames it would be an easier transition because Turang wouldn't have to move.

Good article, I have been thinking Diaz but Mead would be interesting. I am sure the Ray's could be in on Woodruff or Burnes but I doubt there would be an extension. I know this is trades but Adames could always be an option to if they feel like Turang is a better option at SS than second and want to keep Wong.

Good article, I have been thinking Diaz but Mead would be interesting. I am sure the Ray's could be in on Woodruff or Burnes but I doubt there would be an extension. I know this is trades but Adames could always be an option to if they feel like Turang is a better option at SS than second and want to keep Wong.

So I am trying to look at the offseason a little differently and figure out how to get this team to 45+ WAR (we were 34.1 last year). To do that every position player and starter need to average about 3 WAR and then the DH, bench, and bullpen would be at 6 total. Obviously that could be shifted some and it is hard to figure out some rookie WAR potential. Last year the every players were close to a 3 WAR per and the pitching ended up way behind. Starters are 8.0 (not including Alexander, 7.2 with Alexander) and the pen was around 2 total (5.1 for near regulars, -3.1 for short term/trade guys and Gott). This is going to make my predictions lean more towards pitching improvement than the past. 1)Keep Wong (I really want to have the money but WAR says he is a really good value). If he put up his usual high marks at 2nd he could have been a near 5 WAR player in only 115 starts. 2)Replace 1st and catcher 3) Add more high quality arms 4)Get what you can for extra pieces I am going to do a second edition of my 2023 blueprint with the reworked ideas.