Agree Enscheff.
With all that, I would not have sent him to Texas for Lynn, even they paid all of lynn's money this year. So maybe I'm too high on him.
I still think people have to expect potential salary Armageddon next year and maybe the following year with labor issues. IF AA has to really go on the cheap he probably needs to have the OF of Waters, Pache, Acuna in his back pocket. It is probably too early for Waters and maybe Pache. But that outfield should be sick defensively. And there is a lot of upside in the young guys. And Waters does hit better from the left side.
If we have to go super cheap, we lose Ozuna. So I could very well see a Waters, Pache, Acuna OF and a trade for Peralta from Arizona to replace Ozuna. Then you can focus all of your money on the rotation. Amazing if that happens. We did an entire rebuild around pitching and we may end up with position prospects bailing us out why we spend on pitching (plus Fried and hopefully Soroka).
While you all may hate this plan, know I do not love it. I hope it does not happen. But I can see this as AA's fallback plan because it gives him people making the minimum at LF, CF, 3B, backup catcher and bench. Cost controlled guys at RF, SS, 2B, and rotation. If you get a guy like Peralta you get a solid bat making 10 million less than Ozuna who can play enough OF to rest others or get another year of control out of waters. Also covers you if the DH isn't in the NL next year b/c peralta can play D.
I'm expecting super cheapness and many angry players. Collusion threats and billionaires crying poverty.