OK, I understand what you were going for in your previous post.
That said, I think I disagree. I think that 2021 should be the more likely year to compete. Or, at least, this is the way those geniuses in the FO have hoped for it to be. [Rather than PLANNING for the best year to compete..]
By 2022, Keuchel will be 34, and will likely be in the middle of age-related regression. Lynn likely will have signed somewhere else in FA. Rodon will again be released. Grandal will be 33, and may begin his age-related regression as well. Eaton will either be gone or injured, and TLR will be a year closer to alcohol-related dementia. Meanwhile, to succor TLR, the SOX will have wasted a year of control on putting crochet in the BP.
Oh, and BTW, the CBA expires after this season. I'm sure noted labor ally JR will gladly give the players all that they want, in order to keep the games going.
So, IMO, its hope/wish/pray for competence out of Cease/Lopez/Rodon/Kopech to find the strike zone this season. OR, hope for this FO to actually put in the work to acquire the necessary rotational depth to compete. During an open CBA negotiation next offseason.