Agree with that, but if we bring in a bat we have to send out (or down) a bat unless Tito's williing to shorten the bullpen. I'm just asking who draws that short straw.
I have no problem sending one of the bullpen arms down, or sending Greg Allen back down. But here's the roster I guess:
C: Perez
1B: Santana
2B: Kipnis
3B: Jose
SS: Frankie
RF: Naquin
CF: Mercado
LF: Bauers
DH: ???
Bench: Plawecki, Freeman, Luplow, Allen
SP: Bauer, Bieber, Clevinger, Plesac, Plutko
RP: Hand, Cimber, Perez, Clippard, Wittgren, Cole, Olson, Goody
Eventually you bring Kluber back and we never have to see Plutko again. I don't think you can count on Cookie pitching this year, but who knows. If Salazar comes back, I hope to god it's in the bullpen and not as a starter.
I think we eventually shorten the pen to 7 arms. It bumps back to 8 in the playoffs because you're only using 4 starters.
So suddenly Plesac is a critical member of the team?
I'd happily see a legit setup man and Sandoval come in for that iffy last spot and a guy like Luplow optioned for a mid-level 18 year old who is three years away like George Valera.
I mean, Plesac's our fourth starter right now. That's a pretty critical role. With Kluber, Cookie, Salazar, McKenzie, Jefry etc all down our starting pitching depth is shaky.
I don't think there's any market for Jordan Luplow, and if there were, a lefty specialist OF like him probably has more value to us than to anyone else right now. He's your new and improved Guyer. Embrace him.
Even if there were a market for a guy like Luplow, no organization would move a top prospect like Valera for him.
If you want to bring in a bullpen arm and a bat, I don't think many people would disagree with you. It just depends what the price is, and how long they're signed for. I want to maximize our 3-year window (this year through 2021) moreso than buying marginal upgrades who are only signed for this season.
If there aren't any better options, I guess I'm fine bringing in a veteran like Sandoval to DH this season... but at that point, I'd rather just let Bobby Bradley try and find his way at the major league level. If his contract weren't atrocious, I'd be interested in kicking Longoria's tires.
People keep bringing up the Giants bullpen, but Dyson/Smith/Watson are the only guys pitching well this year that might be available. I'm sure Will Smith will be one of the most in-demand relievers this deadline, and I'm not really willing to pay his price in prospects. As for Dyson/Watson? Sure. But I doubt they'd come cheap.