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for Stanton. I think just about everyone agrees. Miami has to still and MLB will have to sign off on the deal.
If not Stanton, hopefully there's other names close to that level that we can start talking about around late June. I'd personally be as happy to overpay for Billy Hamilton, since they're transitioning him to CF but I doubt that's even an option. MOTO corner or CF leadoff type are the only big needs I see for the team next year and beyond. Leadoff at SS would work too, but there are some options already here that don't profile well for leading off. Maybe Landry looks like a leadoff guy for 2015, but that isn't a reason to not improve for now.
Having too much isn't bad, the point is using what you have and not wasting it. Consolidation is a definite key to maximizing 40 man talent moving forward.
I wouldn't be surprised if they traded away 2 starting pitchers by the deadline. Even in March, I could see a move. There's just too many to use them all. It's not a DFA issue, but a 25 man issue. One or 2 can go to the pen, one or 2 can be stashed at AAA. The bullpen is pretty stocked, so it's probably only one there as long man. That could even be Bonderman or Garland though. That would be consistent with how they broke in Iwakuma and even Erasmo last year. They also could both go to AAA since they signed on MiL deals. Considering a long man in Seattle and 2 in Tacoma that leaves 13 spots for hopeful starters. Competition for those spots are Felix, Iwakuma, Saunders, Ramirez, Beaven, Noesi, Paxton, Hultzen, Maurer, Walker, Bonderman, Garland, Carraway, Vasquez, Anthony Fernandez. I count 15 players for those 13 spots without counting any org. filler. You could argue Vasquez is filler based on his MLB debut audition and stats since then, but I'd argue that he has upside based on his talent and age in his pitcher family. An injury or 2 would thin this, but the 2nd long man or even 5th starter in Tacoma is where the 3rd or 4th starter removed from this list would leave an opening.