My goodness this is a freaking frustrating conversation. No kidding that was the design. The topic of conversation was about an extension for Rizzo, and ways to get one that doesn't leave you shelling out big for an old done dude. My opinion is the easiest way to extend him "cheaply" is by throwing a little extra money his way now. Show him some love for more than living up to his contract and providing you a ton of profit. And then maybe he'd sign something feasible. If you make him play out this deal then he's got more incentive to try and get the best deal he can get next time around. If you don't want to keep him at all, fine, let him walk. Personally, I'd trade him. I’m firmly on the “trade Rizzo” bandwagon, both because i think its best for us long-term and I think its what this FO will eventually decide on. But I get laughed out of every place I bring it up at. His contract makes him ultra-valuable, and with two years of control left, this is where his value will most likely peak. First base is the easiest position to fill, and we have in house options available in Schwarber, Bryant, Contreras, and Vic....not that I’m endorsing moving any of those players to 1st base, just that doing so is a legitimate option. In a hypothetical world where we trade Rizzo for a SP to slot in between Yu and Kyle, move Schwarber to 1st and sign Castellanos using Rizzo’s money, I think we’re much better off than if we had kept Rizzo. Thats assuming you think Schwarber can move to 1st and be at least average defensively. Maybe you don’t think that, thats OK, theres still like 50 different options. At the very least, thats what I’d do if this was MLB The Show. The only thing I havent figured out is who is likely to interested in Rizzo, and what SP we could realistically get in a trade for him.