poppysox

$500K here than another $500K there...pretty soon it becomes money.

Grandal is my #1 want for position players. A fair offer probably lands him. He won't want a repeat of last year.

Grandal and Pederson/Calhoun along with resigning Abreu would satisfy my positional needs. Those additions along with Robert and Madrigal will an amazing upgrade over the 2019 lineup.

Baseball needs to fix this. The Winter Meetings were exciting and fans devoured every little crumb. Remember Hemond setting up his "open for business" sign in I believe Hollywood, Florida? Deals were being announced several deals per day it seemed. Now...big nothing. We spend the whole offseason (4 months) waiting on Boras to tell us what he has decided for his clients. I understand that the amount of money and complexity of the deals are very different today and that changes things from that era.

The problem is Cole and Stras will wait forever to make a decision. If we are willing to accept Bum or Wheeler... need to strike early while others are treating him like a fall back option.

Puig would not surprise me in the least as a WS acquisition. He will be cheap in relation to potential upside...and he just might flourish hanging out with Jose and Yoan.

They sold extra tickets because with Anderson, Eloy, Moncada, Abreu and Geo where individuals worth watching.

"Lock him up."

Hope the WS ends tonight. Want the AL to win and mostly want to get the clock ticking on free agency.

Wheeler, Grandal, a Nova or better 2nd starter, Pederson or Calhoun type RF and a couple serviceable RP's and I'm good. I think Robert and Madrigal will make a ton of difference on both defense and offensive. Watching Altuve and Eaton work counts and keep pitchers minds elsewhere is what we will get from Madrigal. I would love this teams chances.

I agree...and you improve both Catcher and DH.

A strong case can be made for Gio. I don't remember a second year player ever being named for that award.

Strasburgs value plummeted today with his inability to answer the bell for game 5. Buyers beware.

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.