poppysox

Cole is very much an option. I suggested 6 or 7 years at 35 per year. Just make your best offer without being cleaver and move on. Most of the usual suspects have Luxury Tax issues where trying to fit 35 into the payroll is no easy thing. After making my Cole offer I would go after Wheeler and start talking to the lesser names. We are one of very few teams that in theory could acquire both. Pitching wins championships.

Grandal is high on my want list. Two good and experienced catchers + Collins keep everyone fresh and solve the DH issue. Also, the mentoring of two solid veterans for Collins shouldn't be ignored.

Grandal fits us better as co-catcher and part of the DH rotation with McCann and Collins IMO.

If your idea of "above average player" doesn't include the AL batting champion and the All Star Catcher...not much interested in how you evaluate above average.

Count them...we already have 10-15 high quality players. For the most part playoff winners have two or three stud pitchers. Fourth and fifth starter are needed to get into the playoffs...the stud top of rotation guys are needed to win playoff series and ultimately the WS.

No...but that is the rumor.

No...but that has certainly been the rumor.

If the asking price for Cole is 35 million for 6 years...I'd offer it right out of the box. Then I go after Wheeler while Cole thinks over our offer. Don't fool around with clever incentives. If Cole counters with 7 years at 245 I give it to him. If we by some chance we get both of them...get Grandal and Calhoun/Pederson and print the WS tickets. No more fooling around Rick. Lets get er done.

Calhoun is available and doesn't cost anything but money. I prefer Pederson but not at an overpay for a 1 year player.

I would make a Fry for Pederson trade straight up but that would max out my offer and frankly I would be a little afraid it would come back to bite me in the butt.

I agree that stud starting pitching wins playoff series including the WS. It is possible that the FO thinks Gio, Kopech and Cease will have 2 of the 3 develop into TOR guys. If that's the case...sign Wheeler or Bumgarner type. If FO thinks we lack that #1 guy...sign Cole. In the meantime...don't spend money on guys we don't need. Use that Rendon money toward the best RF and DH you can find.

Realistic upgrade.

Wheeler and Grandal are my two top targeted additions. As long as the RF and 2nd starter are above average the off season will be a success.

This is my view as well. No excuses.

80 million additional still doesn't put us in the top third of MLB payrolls. I'm not complaining...just saying the money should be there to accomplish what is needed. Wheeler and Grandal are my primary wish list candidates. Both fit exactly what we need for obvious reasons.