Here is the net salary savings year by year of this trade:
2015 8.55M
2016 18.45M
2017 28.45M (assuming we decline Maybin's option)
The 2017 number is the one that leaves an impression on me. It had struck me before that it would be hard to gear up for 2017 if we had to pay Melvin the 16.45M is owed for that year. We have found a way to move that, which means that 2017 is much more in play now as a realistic goal for having a contending team.
The other thing that becomes pretty clear is that most of the available payroll the next two off-seasons will be spent on position players. We have needs especially in the outfield (and a lack of alternatives in the farm system, though perhaps someone like Peraza could be moved to center).
