davell

No one will pay Utley's contract at this point. Personally, I don't see a fit. I guess the vetty vet thing, but he'd have to but into becoming a PH basically. And no, I'm not even remotely dumping Starlin for him.

I suspect he'll have a couple of good seasons going forward.(not necessarily better than he's already achieved though) With where we are as a team now, my guess is we just want something that's more consistent. Which doesn't bode well for Javy either obviously. That's why I think we've already been linked to Howie Kendrick personally.

I wasn't aware that it had been honestly. I don't see a lot of red flags....The BABIP was in line with every season other than his 2 bad ones. I guess his LD% being the highest of his career could be considered as something that maybe propped him up a bit. The GB% being the lowest of his career may do the same, I guess. The overall contact rate dropping(but still very solid). I don't know, that's all I've got and wouldn't have been that alarmed by those things. Maybe others see something else though, sifting thru Fangraphs isn't a strong suit of mine either.

Lucchino is stepping down. That gives Theo a bit of leverage, I suppose.

You're at 71.25 with Montero, Ross, Rizzo, Castro, Soler, Lester, Hammel, and Edwin's money accounted for. You're giving Arrieta a big raise(3rd year arb)and you're paying 1st year arbs to Rondon and Grimm. 3rd for Strop and Coghlan. Wood, Herrera, and Medina will get DFA'd, while Turner is a question mark. You've got KB, Schwarber, Russell, Javy, Hendricks, and La Stella at the minimum. Plus plenty of others like Alcantara, Olt, Szczur, Ramirez, Rosscup, and Edwards that have the ability to factor into 25 man roster decisions. After arb raises, I'll put us at 95.(that's giving Jake 10, which may be a bit light) At any rate, you can lose Castro's 7 or Montero's 14 from that figure, if we choose to. Our IFA spending will be down considerably(at least 10-12 mill) as will our draft budget, which both factor in to our overall budget. We'll need an SP, a CF, a bench bat probably and a bullpen arm too. In other words, we're set up very, very well if we can afford 120 mill. If it drops back down to 105 or so? We're flexible enough to be fine that way too.

I do NOT think they'll be able to keep Arrieta AND sign a TOR starter, unless Jake signs an extension this offseason(don't see that happening) The debt [expletive] is very real and the way they've been run is the biggest proof of all. If they wanted to tank and build up the system in a ginormously stupid way, they'd have went much, much bigger on IFA's both times they've been eligible to go over their limit on. There'd be more than Soler hanging around out of Cuban defectors. We'd have done some Dodger type stuff of absorbing shitty contracts for prospects. There IS a way this could technically change prior to 2019, but it's about as likely as the Phillies winning the World Series this year- Ricketts comes out of pocket to buy guys. Assuming that's not happening, we'll see slight movement upwards in payroll for new ad revenue, attendance gains, and other new revenue streams we may create between now and then. In 2019, the 35-40 mill a year debt payment falls off and can be added back to payroll-not even counting a new TV deal and the money that comes from that. The good thing is we're finally set up to where we CAN work efficiently and put a strong team on the field with a 100-120 top end type payroll. To me, one of the more interesting things about this upcoming offseason is seeing if we're stable now at 120 or whether it drops back towards 105-110, with the Tanaka 20 mill having been used now. Because I'm not thinking there were too many additional monetary upgrades during this season. Either way, it's enough for us to make a big play on a 9 figure FA. But it's not going to be multiple 9 figure guys, no way in hell.

What's the realistic role for Javy once he comes up? As much as I'd like to just see him slotted in at 2B full time this season, I don't see it happening..... My guess is we'll get each of Javy, Addison, and Starlin start 2 of every 3 games. With all 3 starting on days KB gets off. Any other ideas?

Walk and a double for Javy in his first two plate appearances.

Not sure I'd believe Stewart either, but that's awesome.

I'm disappointed we didn't do more, but none of the guys I wanted were actually dealt either. So while we don't know what the prices were, it's at least very plausible they were extremely high.

Well [expletive]

That was my thought.

Everything's so rapid fire, so apologies if this has been addressed....But didn't the Dodgers pay all of Haren's salary in the trade to the Marlins? If so, getting him for no salary makes this seem like a depth move more so than a definitive "he's our 5th guy" type of move anyway....

We could be thinking Hammel may need a DL stint.

Some guy named Jordan Schultz tweeted an hour ago, he hears strongly the Cubs are the favorite for Kimbrel. Huffington Post guy, I think....

Wait, we gave up PINEYRO for Haren? What the [expletive] [expletive]!!!!!!!! Soto, I could ALMOST see...... J/K

Well [expletive], was definitely hoping for more. Maybe we're still involved in other stuff....

@Buster_ESPN: Cubs are on Tommy Hunter; the Cubs aren't really in the Craig Kimbrel mix now. Houston continues to talk Kimbrel. A bit less boner inducing.

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: #Cubs among teams engaged in ongoing dialogue with #Indians about deal for Carrasco. Teams continuing to call CLE, make offers. Mornin'

@JeffPassan: Sources: Astros-Padres believed to be working on "something big." They've talked Tyson Ross and Craig Kimbrel. San Diego could use a CF. Damnit

Leake to the Giants evidently.

I'd rather trade for Shawn.

Gordo's latest makes it sound like Ross may not get dealt and Kennedy is the best bet, with Dan Haren as a possibility. [expletive] ugh. He does mention Teheran again, but says the Braves want Soler, even if they're willing to send more than Teheran back....Can't see that happening obviously. McKinney seems like a nice lead piece to me for him.

Kimbrel has a 2.49 FIP and a 2.46xFIP, it worse than his usual. But still damn good. I do think Upton hates Wrigley though, not positive about it however. He's been very, very bad the last month and a half or so, if I'm not mistaken.

If the asking price is super high on Kimbrel, Benoit is a solid arm still.....Peripherals down this year though, but in last year of his deal. If money is truly tight, allocating that much for a shut down closer could conceivably hurt our chances at a TOR SP in the offseason.... But, if you add Ross, are we even looking for one? Or just going after Heyward instead? That'd make sense to me anyway.....