Our group is obviously cautious. I'm really thinking that we're part of the reason for the slow off season, at this point. Why? Arbitration and the LT. 1)I think most of our targets likely have us first as their preference. 2) Were got guys hitting arb that could easily be 4-5 mill different than what the MLBTR estimates say. Example- KB and Addy costing 10.5 and 3.5 instead of 8.9 and 2.3.....3) These figures mean a ton to us, due to the LT and shape how much we ACTUALLY can give anyone in FA. If we want to sign Darvish and trade for Yelich..... Heyward-23, Lester-25.8, Zobrist-14, Chatwood-12.7, Morrow-10.5, Cishek-6.5, Quintana-4.2, Rizzo-5.9, Strop-5.9, Smyly-5 Total-113.5(These numbers are rounded off to the nearest 10th) Arb Estimates KB-8.9, Hendricks-4.9, Wilson-4.3, Addy-2.3, Grimm-2.4, Seal Boy-1 Total-23.8 Total of 137.1 Figure on 10 pre arb guys making the roster at 600k apiece- 6 mill (now 143.1 total) Figure on the rest of your 40 man- 3 mill( now 146.1 total) Add in for insurances- 16 mill(again, an estimate) New total of 162.1 This leaves 36.9 mill to spend up against the LT. But, these estimates being off by a few mill alters things quite a bit..... Let's say Yu signs for 5/140. That's 28 obviously. Yelich is 7.1. Do you make those moves RIGHT NOW, prior to knowing your true arb numbers? It'd leave you 1.8 under the LT AND no room for in season moves. Having a firmer grasp on the true numbers allows you certainty of what you're truly committing to. Again, this is just a guess on Darvish. But, you see how the margins are tight as hell. We're obviously dead set on staying under the LT. We want to put the best possible team out there, that we can. I think we're a premier destination and players are willing to wait this situation out. Unless we trade for the SP, I really think we're holding the market up until after the arb stuff is done.