poppysox

I'm hoping he is non-tendered and then resigned between $3 and $4 million.

I will be disappointed in management...but undoubtedly will try to spin myself on the new acquisitions being just what we need. Such is the nature of being a fan. I do think RH is a smart guy who is surrounded by people who have spent their lives in baseball. These guys know the rosters of all 30 teams inside and out. How can any of us think we know better who they should sign?

I don't think a $120 million payroll fits "the money will be there" promise made to the fans. Making the top 9 or 10 payrolls is not really a stretch...approximately $160. Enough for the starters, RF, DH, Pen needs we keep talking about without penny pinching.

My understanding has been that a large percentage of players receiving qualifying offers have opted out. Something like 90%. Since I have always thought that having a qualifying offer attached reduced a players desirability and therefore value...kind of a wash if we really want that player.

Cole, Strasburg or JD Martinez probably yes...others...not so much. Because it reduces what some others are willing to offer...it could help us. We will know soon. I think Nov. 11th is the date that clubs have to make those offers.

I would love Pederson if the price was Fry or equivalent. Definitely don't want to overpay for 1 year of any player. Cole or Wheeler plus Grandal & Pederson would make for a very good offseason. Need a good reliever or two as well.

That may be enough if Kopech comes back strong or at least the best use of available funds. I'm holding out hope that JR decides this is the year to return our payroll to top ten status. Extensions and which free agents are pursued will determine if 160 - 170 will be enough. I do hope that JR is willing to go to that level. In this era of 6 or 7 innings starts and new rules requiring relievers face 3 hitters...bullpen upgrades might be more useful than that second starter.

Engel, Yolmer and Garcia are excellent bench player IMO. Love having Good defense and base running skills for late in the game situations. I do think the odds are good that Yolmer is non-tendered than brought back at a more workable $ amount.

My actual point was that if we spend at the top of market at 3 of the four positions of need (2 starting pitchers/RF/DH)...it's quite possible we bargain shop the fourth position. None of us know the actual budget so we are left to guess if we are dumpster diving or shopping on Rodeo Drive.

Amen.

I'm neither up or down on Lopez. He still needs to show me some consistency. Things happen in 162 games. Kopech and Rodon won't be ready at the bell and who knows the innings Cease or Lopez can handle. Can't have to much pitching.

If we got Cole, Wheeler and Grandal… we might only have Avi money left. I'd be fine with that.

With that level of starting pitching...defense like Engel is not unreasonable.

I agree...if we get Cole and Wheeler and the price is saving money on Avi...I'm all in.

Half the posters are afraid that Grandal will be overpaid and the other half of posters thin JR is cheap. Jerry just can't do it right.

I'd be all in on Wimpy.

I agree that the primary needs are TOR starter, RF and DH. I am in the camp that want Grandal, McCann and Collins to form a Catching/DH and Backup Catcher group. Everyone stays fresher witch is needed at the catcher position. McCann wore out in the second half while Grandal isn't getting any younger. More rest will help them both. Excellent mentoring for Collins as well.

Yes...Robert, Madrigal and Kopech alone will improve the team by ten games. Dunning, Hamilton, Burr and Rodon may or may not help a little. Just out of curiosity... do you ever post an original thought instead of taking potshots at what others post?

The appearance of Robert and Madrigal plus the return of Abreu, Kopech, Rodon and Dunning, Hamilton & Burr get us to the .500 level IMO. The RF, Dh, 2 quality starters and a reliever or 2 gets us to the playoffs. The quality of those two starters and DH & RF additions will determine how far we go in the playoffs.

Defending the ball is as important as hitting it. Ozuna doesn't do either well enough to merit 16 million salary. Avi has limited range with an outstanding arm. He hits for average and has good power. Probably does the whole job as well as Ozuna for half the money. I'm not campaigning for Avi as much as being unimpressed with Ozuna. I would prefer Pederson or Calhoun over either.

If that's our offseason...I'm disappointed and a bit upset.

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.