The question of the day comes down to what/who do we really have that has trade value and what will they bring back in return. If you refuse to trade the top 4 or so prospects then you need to look at the ML roster. Bingo. There really isnt much if anyone there who we can afford to part with that would not cripple the team.
i couldn't disagree more.
I will site as evidence every trade AA has made as the Braves GM. He has gotten value for not much again and again. Gausman didn't work out great the second year but he was a big help for us down the stretch. That was a starting pitcher, with pedigree and another year of ARB for almost nothing.
Every year MLB teams dump money. This year teams will want to dump money MORE. It's not always you have to give to get.
Now you are not going to get big impact guys IMO. But I'm not paying those prices.
Again, this year is too short and too volatile. If we get Lynn he is going to make 5 starts for us this year. Maybe 6. Then it's the playoffs and who knows. If you go the world series he makes maybe 10 starts.
Next year control is big. I get that. But next year isn't much better. COVID could still be an issue. There is a major labor dispute. You might have a strike next year. You are likely to have half the league not paying any money.
The following year is a work stoppage.
I want Pache and Waters so I can fall back on an Acuna, Pache, Waters OF next year or the year after. The defense will be incredible. Acuna will be incredible. So I think I'm going to get at least avg WAR out of this group. If either Waters or Pache hit I'm plus. If one hits well or both hit some I have a very good OF I can play everyday on young legs. In 2021 that OF costs me about 6 million. In 2020 it costs me about 17 million because Acuna gets his biggest pay jump.
I want both catchers. TDA is on for one more year. Contreras showed he can catch and hit. I can use Jackson to get an extra year of control. Then the following year when the work stoppage is resolved I fee like I can get avg or better catcher production for those two for about 1 million total.
That gives me flexibility to deal with the uncertainty of the next two years. And the uncertainty of what Liberty will do with the payroll (especially if the battery is not back next year).