We were always going to augment the team in free agency, so not sure I get the point you’re getting at.
There is zero doubt in my mind we should acquire a TOR starter next season even if we’re still high on all our young arms. First & foremost, Kopech & Cease will be in their first full seasons and shouldn’t be counted on to anchor a rotation in 2020. Second, we’ll have a ton of financial flexibility and hopefully not a ton of holes to use it on.
If Verlander has a strong 2019 and is showing no signs of slowing down, I’d offer him something like 2/$75M. My 2020 rotation would then be Verlander, Lopez, Kopech, Cease, and either Rodon, Giolito, or Dunning. By the time Justin moves on, Kopech & Cease should be ready & able to headline what should hopefully be a young dominant rotation.