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THE NEXT BAT
Three ways to go:
1) the replacement right fielder for Saunders
2) the right hand platoon for Saunders
3) the right hand platoon for Morrison
Because the projections seem to match my eternal affection for Saunders, I hope option #1 does NOT happen. That means no Kemp, no Upton, no Cespedes. That is entirely fine with me.
Taking options 2 and 3 together, ideally there is no long term contract that blocks DJ, Kivlehan, Montero, Blash, Lara or whomever.
So possibilities:
-- Hunter for one year: the appeal is the best chance for him to reach a World Series from among his suitors
-- Delmon Young: strong split advantage, not much power, but ESPN projects him as accepting a one year deal
-- Van Slyke: just because we're not talking to LA about Kemp doesn't mean we have to shut down talks. Friedman has always been smart, but now he's also flush. He doesn't have needs he can't fill with money. But his outfield's overloaded, and he does need a shortstop, at least temporarily. And his bullpen's a mess. So would Taylor plus Farquhar do it?
-- Gaby Sanchez: he's been mentioned in the Shoutbox and elsewhere, but being freely available makes too much sense to be true. Mashes lefties, and even full time insurance in case LoMo gets hurt.
THE DIVISION
People are being WAY to easy on Oakland. You can call it a 'rebuild' or not, but they are a mess. Kazmir and Samardzja are both gone next year, so there's no reason for him to hold on this year. They are the best bait out there for Upton and Gattis. Beane holds on to Gattis...flips Upton before the break to replenish the farm...and that's probably smart. But I think 'not rebuilding' = building for 2016 and on.
The Angels are a well balanced offense, but still derive a huge amount of their value from Trout. He falters moderately? Sprains an oblique and is out for a month? That's crippling--the corollary to us losing Felix. But that's not the present danger. Their rotation is iffy from top to bottom. They will need the equivalent of two Chris Young acquisitions/resurrections to be favorites.
In Texas, any hope to be competitive rests on Fielder's neck and Darvish's arm. To think that both are givens is optimistic, to say the least. And their rotation behind Darvish? Major league ugly.
PITCHING DEPTH
Now our most pressing need (to me), but this will take care of itself. No need to spend big money now.
We will make two or three other moves, I think. None of them will cost Paxton or Walker. One might get us Niese. One should get us one of the hitters above.
The narrative said that Jack was 'desperate' to get his big bat. He's not desperate anymore. The market can now come to him. And if he's proven anything, it's his willingness to wait.