I don't disagree, but with Pache playing center in that scenario, Acuna or Waters wouldn't be playing the corners based on defense alone.
Waters has really hit. I remember when he was drafted, most expected him to fill out and add weight, which would bring the power more into games. I still think that's what happens. His dad was an OL at Georgia Tech, and his frame looks like it can add weight and hit for power. I still think he profiles as a future corner OF, especially in an outfield with Pache.
This is the main reason I assume AA chose not to upgrade corner OF this winter - although if he'd have known that two years would've been long enough to land Brantley I think it was a mistake.
Everyone has opinions and guesses, and mine is that Riley, Pache, Waters, and Contreras are the prospects that are "off-limits" - not the arms. Pache is as close to ready that he can conceivably be called on anytime after the break, even if that's rushing things a little. Ideally everybody stays healthy this year and his power develops a little more in the minors, and he forces you to make a decision on Ender and/or Markakis next winter. Like it or not, we all saw the scout's quote that Waters may very well come as fast as Acuna did if they allow it. That's 2021. If they weren't at least somewhat willing to let Pache and Waters' performance dictate their arrival times, they'd have gotten someone better than Markakis - even if that meant a trade. As things stand, Camargo can be his platoon partner this year and you pay him to go away next winter if he doesn't want to be a pinch-hitter.
Healthy 2019 or no, I don't think they want any part of a 3 year deal for Donaldson - that's exactly why they jumped so quickly when they got the feeling he'd take the one year this past winter. Someone mentioned the other day that Riley's "not ready", and that's simply not true. He's now up to .271/.340/.438/.777 with the highest number of ABs of anyone in camp. He's always been a bit of a slow starter, and is being asked to play two new positions on the fly. Put him at 3B and leave him alone, and the numbers will continue to get better. Send him to Gwinnett and tell him to improve certain things and it's his job the minute Donaldson gets hurt or next year - whichever comes first. If you want to delay that until next spring and Donaldson goes down, Johan can go back to 3B for the rest of 2019 and you trade for an inexpensive 4th OF when someone falls out of the race or pick one up off the scrap heap. Maybe you don't find one to replace Duvall right away - but as someone mentioned yesterday - Opening Day doesn't represent a trade deadline.
Flow's two year deal makes all that much more sense when you consider Contreras. If A-Jax doesn't prove capable of splitting time with him in 2020, you go find another inexpensive vet - Avila, Castillo, Cervelli, Lucroy, and Maldonado will all be available, and Contreras should be ready for significant time when 2021 starts.
With Cole, Verlander, Wheeler, and Bumgarner all likely to be available, next winter may be the time to spend big on a free-agent starter if there's going to be one.
