Bob Sacamano

Probably. But there would still be room if you shifted McCann into more of a backup role (don't know what happens to Collins in this scenario.

It was just a top 10 of potential MLB starting pitcher free agents. He included Strasburg with an asterisk next to his name as well.

I read a week or so ago that the Astros prefer not to go over the luxury tax threshold but also read earlier this week that if they did, at whatever projected salary they had Cole and arbitration guys at, they would only owe like $4 mill extra.

People are obsessed with this. So annoying.

Maybe more figuratively than literally? Who knows. Like I said, I would figure they would be in on him anyway so this doesn't really change anything. Still have to get him to sign.

I should say my buddy wasn't told to be prepared. The sales staff was told to be prepared and then his friend told him. I have no reason not to believe him but also no reason to get my hopes up.

My buddy says he got a text from another friend who works in sales for the team saying that they were told to be prepared for Gerritt Cole.....pretty sure they were told the same about Machado though. But again, take that for what it's worth.

Even if some of those guys are more "#3" types now, the rotation still kinda needs that.

That's pretty ideal for Hill. If they wanted to start Kopech in the minors to open the year and they sign a front of the rotation arm and then Hill, you just bump Hill to the pen to eat innings and spot start.

Correct. And I would be interested.

Yeah especially since guys are saying Grandal would mostly DH. Give me a better bat if he isn't starting behind the plate most of the time. Catcher spot is fine right now.

It does seem like odd timing with the strides the youngsters (and McCann) made.

The only Calhoun that applies to a conversation about trading with the Rangers lol

Ah gotcha. Thanks.

What math are you doing here? I'm seeing a .380 OBP from Grandal and .328 from McCann.

Depends. If he plays here another 3-4 year and keeps pumping up his numbers, it might be justified. But yes, as of now, he doesn't deserve it.

Also no reason to think Betts would even sign an extension with us. He's pretty much declined to talk extension with the Red Sox, a team that drafted him and hes played his entire career for.

I don't really want him back at that price. Seems like he will be on a decline soon.

For those that don't understand the reference... It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

I'm not so sure about that. I'd expect at least one top-100 prospect.

Yeah I would too honestly. Do you keep him as the primary backup OF over a better defensive OF or do you go with a 4-man bench of: catcher, backup infielder, 4th OF type, and Leury? It would be nice to have some sort of bat with pop that can start for an extended period of time if guys have some 10-day IL stints.

Agreed. Personally, I would like for them to keep one of Leury/Yolmer as a backup, have a defensive first OF on the bench like Engel as a late inning sub, and then have another bat on the bench that has some pop. With a backup catcher, that's a 4-man bench. I wouldn't mind them going with a 5-man bench like teams used to do though.

In a starting role? I hope not. But as a bench piece, sure.

I hope he goes to the Brewers, just to improve a rival team to the Cubs. I would probably put Keuchel, Wheeler, and Bumgarner in the same tier under Cole and Strasburg (assuming opt-out).

His quote from yesterday didn't seem so re-assuring that he would stay.