Well Eric Haase just got waived, so I would pick him up just for depth reasons, but I would then try to outright him later.
First off, We have to move Lindor, but the question is to who?
I really like what I could get back from Toronto, and I dont think any FO knows better than Shapiro about Lindor. IF he feels he can legitimately resign Lindor, he will make the move for him, plus he does have a good core already in place, without the large contracts. He would be able to keep his team together long term and should have a great lineup overall.
Trade I propose would be Francisco Lindor, Tristan McKenzie, plus a PTBNL for 2B/OF Guirrel, RHP Julian Merryweather, 3B Josh Groshans, RHP Kloffenstein/Woods-Richardson, INF/OF Otto Lopez and C Riley Adams.
I personally like McKenzie's talent and potential, but I don't like his drop off in velocity last season, but he is 6 years younger than Merryweather and neither Kloffenstein nor Woods Richardson have seen MLB playing time.
Next, on paper we need to move Carrasco's contract. IF I am moving him, it would be to Tampa since they have the players we need in the short term and long term. Also I know people are like, Rays don't do big contracts, blah blah blah, but why did they go get Morton a few seasons ago for a heftier contract, but a similar structured contract to Carrasco has in free agency? Also we have made a bunch of trades with them before, so I could see them making a deal that makes sense on both sides in the long term.
Trade I would propose would be Carrasco, Vargas and SS Angel Martinez, plus cash for INF Xavier Edwards, LHP Shane McClanahan, OF Randy Arozarena, LHP Josh Fleming.
Next I would try to outright Haase and Taylor, but give the minor league invite to spring training. We need catching depth so that would good to keep them. I would also bring in Left handed pitchers, other catchers, try to get Mike Freeman back into camp, plus get the best possible veterans on minor league deals regardless of position (15-20 guys). Since I sent cash in the Carrasco trade, I would not be signing any major league free agents this season. Also getting McClanahan, Arozarena and Fleming is worth spending some cash on.
40 man roster would be:
| Pitchers | |
LHP Logan Allen | RHP Jordan Humphreys | LHP Scott Moss |
RHP Shane Bieber | RHP James Karinchak | LHP Kyle Nelson |
RHP Aaron Civale | RHP Phil Maton | RHP Zach Plesac |
RHP Emmanuel Clase | LHP Shane McClanahan | RHP Adam Plutko |
LHP Josh Fleming | RHP Jean Carlos Mejía | RHP Cal Quantrill |
LHP Sam Hentges | RHP Julian Merryweather | RHP Trevor Stephan |
RHP Cam Hill | RHP Eli Morgan | RHP Nick Wittgren |
Catchers | INF/OF | Infielders | Outfielders |
Austin Hedges | Jake Bauers | Gabriel Arias | Randy Arozarena |
Roberto Pérez | Lourdes Guirrel Jr | Bobby Bradley | Daniel Johnson |
Riley Adams | Nolan Jones | Yu Chang | Jordan Luplow |
| Otto Lopez | Ernie Clement | Oscar Mercado |
| Josh Naylor | José Ramírez | Bradley Zimmer |
| Franmil Reyes | | |
NRI Guys
C Eric Haase | INF Andruw Monasterio | RHP Kloffenstein/Woods-Richardson | LHP Juan Hillman |
C Beau Taylor | INF Xavier Edwards | RHP Jordan Stephens | LHP Tanner Tully |
C Bo Naylor | INF Josh Groshans | RHP Nick Sandlin | LHP Kirk McCarty |
C Gavin Collins | Util Mike Freeman | RHP Cody Morris | LHP Anthony Gose |
INF Owen Miller | Util Tyler Krieger | RHP Robert Broom | LHP Adam Scott |
INF Tyler Freeman | OF Connor Marabell | RHP Kyle Dowdy | LHP Joey Cantillo |
INF Tyler Friis | OF Mitch Longo | | |
INF Jose Fermin | OF Mitch Reeves | | |
Then Another 1-2 veteran FA catchers
3-4 veteran FA INFs + 3-4 Veteran OFs
3-4 LHP FA veterans + 5-6 RHP FA veterans.
Sandlin replaces Plutko, Owen Miller replaces Zimmer on final 40 man roster via my predictions. Plutko and Zimmer both get acquired by other rosters. I still want a veteran Closer, but I dont see us being able to afford one right now, but we may move for one in season if guys arent effective.
25 man roster
Starting Rotation:
Bieber, Plesac, Civale, Merryweather, Quantrill/Fleming
Bullpen:
Quantrill/Fleming (long man/spot starter), McClanahan, Nelson, Clase, Wittgren, Karinchak, Stephan, Sandlin
Starting lineup position:
1B Naylor, 2B Miller, SS Chang, 3B Ramirez, LF Guirrel, CF Mercado, RF Arozarena, C Perez, DH Reyes
Bench
INF Clement, OF Johnson, OF Luplow, C Hedges