Tim

What are we doing for CF if we trade Happ & Monty? Sign Jay, Jackson, Gomez, or Dyson. Rotate one of those guys with Almora and Heyward occasionally out there. lol - I had a total brain lapse there. I even re-typed Monty, but I was thinking the trade was Happ + Almora. There's no way I trade Monty (and Alzolay) unless I'm then going out and signing another swingman, too.

I'd be checking into what it would cost to acquire Gausman. I'm a believer that he finally turned the corner mid-year last year. https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/kevin-gausmans-very-bad-but-actually-very-good-season/ Happ, Monty and Alzolay for Gausman and Britton? What are we doing for CF if we trade Happ & Monty?

I'd be checking into what it would cost to acquire Gausman. I'm a believer that he finally turned the corner mid-year last year. https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/kevin-gausmans-very-bad-but-actually-very-good-season/

My ideal scenario: Tampa buys into Happ being at least a league average defender at second base. In which case, he's a 30+ hr guy with plate discipline, speed and solid defense. That's the beginning of a good package for Archer. We round that out with Caratini, De La Cruz and Albertos. Our rotation becomes set with Archer, Quintana, Hendricks, Lester and Chatwood. McGee is longing for a reunion with his TB peeps and gives us a bit of a discount to join the fun. Since we were able to set the rotation with a more limited cost than expected, we also sign Addison Reed to join the bullpen of doom. We now have Reed, Morrow, McGee, Strop, Edwards, Wilson, Monty and Grimm/minors guys in the pen. We sign a backup catcher. We use Zagunis as the fifth OF to save a little cash. Is it realistic to add that much in the pen? Probably not, but hey, I said this was my ideal scenario. ------------------------------------ Going into the season, we'll need a few things to happen... First, we get expected performances from the big guys (Bryant, Rizzo, Lester, Quintana, Hendricks, Archer, etc.) Second, Russell finally gets the breakout at the plate that has been projected for him. Few things would elevate the team's future more than this. Third, Schwarber discovers beast mode - at least against right handed pitching while being at least okay against lefties. Fourth, Heyward finds a way to be a bit better than league average on offense. If those things happen, we're a 105 win team again. Pretty easily, in fact. ----------------------------------- We'd head into next offseason needing...nothing? But we'd make the move to sign Harper anyway. The lineup now becomes: Russell Harper Bryant Rizzo Contreras Schwarber Baez/Zobrist Almora/Heyward In 2019, we not only win 110 games, but set a new record for runs scored in a season.

I'm pretty sure I would hate watching Kintzler close games.

Offseason Todo list: Starting Pitcher Starting Pitcher Relief Pitcher 1 Relief Pitcher 2 Relief Pitcher 3 Backup Catcher

Not at all crazy. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they still went after someone like Addison Reed to share the duties, too.

I really wonder if they're going to overload the rotation and play games with the 10 day DL this year since the Dodgers got away with it last year. But that would mean they'd have to have at least one guy who could be optioned. FWIW, Tseng, Mills and Zastryzny (if you consider him a starter still) have options amongst their existing rotation depth. Signing some major league established FA starters or relievers with options will prove difficult. No, but they could be trade targets.

I expect that they are pursuing multiple paths simultaneously. Whichever one pops first at a price they like wins.

I really wonder if they're going to overload the rotation and play games with the 10 day DL this year since the Dodgers got away with it last year. But that would mean they'd have to have at least one guy who could be optioned.

I doubt he gets to us, but this would be excellent.

If McGee and Cobb would give us a Maddon/Hickey discount, I'd be thrilled with the remainder of the offseason.

I'd wager good money against Davis making it healthy through his next deal. It may be irrational, but I have less confidence in his health than Morrow's. I certainly don't want them together.

Only if we trade for Ian Anderson and can call him Jethro. Call him Poopsie, just get him. Yeah, I'm old. Figured that one was a bit obscure. Len would know it, though.

Only if we trade for Ian Anderson and can call him Jethro.

If we trade with SD, can we please figure out a way to get them to include either Michael Baez or Morejon?

If that's a team option, that is a solid deal.

Those are the only Capps-specific terms I'm comfortable with. I'd enjoy having him on the Cubs annoying the fans of other teams. seriously, though, I'd hate to trade Happ for two years of a reliever.

Good points I’m guessing the FO/coaching staff have similar thoughts and use ideas. That being said, go bring Wade back and go with super bullpen of death. Finish signing Morrow and Cobb, trade Happ for Hand, sign your backup C and OF of choice, go home happy. Have SD throw Carter Capps into that trade and I'm happy.

Good points I’m guessing the FO/coaching staff have similar thoughts and use ideas. That being said, go bring Wade back and go with super bullpen of death. I want nothing to do with signing Wade back.

So... Morrow ... Strop Edwards ... Wilson Grimm Monty Depending on the ...'s, that could be a good pen. If Morrow stays healthy, Wilson returns to normal, Edwards matures into a bit more control under Hickey, then it could be amazing. Of course, we'd better have a good backup plan to close in that first "...".

Well, someone will get hurt / not produce and have to be replaced. But it locks them into paying those guys for at least three years, yes.

I don't see many matches there that excite me. Their minor league pitching is either really old, meh, or pretty far away. Price both has a shoulder injury and is ridiculously expensive. We won't get Sale. I want nothing to do with Porcello. I guess Pomeranz would be a nice get, but he's a short-term asset.

Rodriguez had knee surgery at the end of last season and will probably miss the beginning of the 2018 season. Understood.

Apparently, the Red Sox are interested in Schwarber (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/east-notes-rumors-marlins-red-sox-schwarber-stanton.html). What about a Schwarber for Rodriguez & Barnes trade?