Might as well discuss, though I'm sure, like myself, your OF targets depend on whether we sign Nap or EE.
Guys I'm looking at, it won't really effect them...at least I don't think, judging by what Antonetti and Chernoff have been saying.
Still think we are heading into the season with CF concerns, as well as some LF concerns with not knowing what we may see from Brantley. Means I think they are going to spend a decent chunk on an outfielder this winter as well to protect their asses.
At this point I'd be okay if they found a way to land Angel Pagan on a similar deal to Rajai's deal last year (5 million plus incentives). If his asking price ends up being a little steep (which it could IMO), you can fall back to a bunch of guys like Rasmus, Revere, Gutierrez, or Austin Jackson who will be looking for prove it deals to re-up their value a bit, or turn back to Rajai himself. Maybe even a Desmond Jennings gamble, though that'd be a last resort kind of thing for me.
Also think we see some more MiLB deals with Spring Training invites tossed at OFs as well...really hoping one of them is Justin Ruggiano...dude is a perfect platoon OF to go with all of our left handed hitters, but just can't stay healthy for some reason.
The move that will depend on the price tag of the 1B/DH that we eventually sign will be the reliever we sign IMO. By what everyone around the organization is saying, it sure sounds like it will be a LHP, and after seeing what Rzepczynski got from Seattle, a high price tag from a 1B/DH takes us out on the better guys like Boone Logan. I'm hoping the price on someone like JP Howell stays relatively low since he's coming off a poor year, for his standards. He's a good rebound candidate, especially with some of his personal problems behind him now.
But I'd also want to take a flyer on a cheaper, injury questioned starting pitcher as well. We've heard they want to add starting depth from the front office, and we know they won't spend the capital it would take for a healthy proven guy just to add depth, so it would have to be a lower paid low risk/high reward guy. Think Tyson Ross is too pricey to be considered that. But Henderson Alvarez is a free agent for a 2nd year in a row, and is healthier this go round. Rubby de la Rosa has great stuff but hasn't put it together and has some health questions as well. Those guys could be had for cheap. Maybe even toss a 2 year deal at someone like Nathan Eovaldi, who will be out all of 2017, but can rehab under the teams guidance and contribute in 2018.
Really hope they exit the winter checking off those boxes, plus the inevitable 1B/DH move. Nothing too flashy, but good depth and nothing too long term on the books. And if the risk/reward starter gamble we make pays off, could put us in position to move some of our upper level starters for help at the deadline...looking like we'll have a bit of a logjam there shortly.
