Something I wonder.
It is generally assumed that Billy Beane will be forced to step back from contending next year, because he loses so many FAs, most of his key players will get arby raises, he has little money to spend, and no upper level prospects that are close to MLB ready.
But somehow, some way, Beane seldom steps back from contending.
Oaklands payroll was around $84 mil this year. The obligation for next year is $16 mil, if he declines options on two veteran relievers, Chafin and Diekman.
To sign his total arby class is projected to cost about $56 mil, and it includes his front three SPs. If he would sign them all, he has a payroll of about $72 mil for only 13 players.
Obviously, he is gonna trade several of those arby eligibles, and probably release others. But if he does that, his 2022 team looks like it will be in the basement.
But what if he trades a few that leave him with close to a wash, while cutting his payroll?
I'm not advocating for anything, merely thinking out loud....
What if we could trade Plesac, Morgan, two MIF ( Arias, and one of Miller-Palacios-Clement-Tena) prospects and Chang for Laureano and Montas?
How would that work for Oakland?
First of all, Oakland would save about $8 mil next year.
Montas is a better pitcher than Plesac, although the difference is not gigantic...but Montas has two less years of control. Morgan is better than Blackburn...their #4 and out of options. Thats at worst a wash for any budget minded team.
So it comes down to Chang, two prospects and $8 mil in savings for Laureano. Those three MIFs not only fill a huge organizational hole, but are better options at the MLB level than what Oakland has coming back. And if Beane wants one of our fringe OFs or OF prospects, he can have that, too.
Our youngsters could replace several of their fringe arby eligible players, thereby saving Beane another $5 mil.
Beane would be left with about $59 mil after such a trade, even after retaining, every other one of his key players...leaving him with a lot of flexibility, esp if he was allowed to keep his payroll at $84 mil.
How does this work out for Cleveland?
The downsides are that it adds $8 mil to the payroll and it cuts into our immediate rotation depth.
The upside is Laureano and an improved opening day rotation. It also solves our 40 man situation.
Again, just thinking out loud.