You can't include Diaz in that because he's got to headline a +++ for Miller. Zunino ++ for Derek Noris sounds good too. So we can focus just on the headliners going out to see if they single-handedly out-produce the return. We could watch it all from day 1 even. No waiting. NO THANKS!
The "Need" for Sale does not exist in my sight here. We're talking about buying high here. I get that there may be a lack of "playoff starters" here but I see possibilities. Let's start with Paxton, since he's already in the discussion. You think he wilts in the playoffs? I hope we get to find out this year but I wouldn't bet that he falls. Felix may not be ready now and if things go south there's trouble but any doubt I had of him wilting under pressure left in the final innings of the perfecto. THAT'S Felix under pressure. Good luck with that. Striking guys out like Diaz just came in...We could use another, Walker is a stretch to rely on currently, Kuma hasn't been as dominant consistently this year, etc.. But there are plenty of possibilities.
I'm more worried about the bullpen and OF defense. Between DL and AAA there are options to possibly improve that too. I don't see a true hole if I include Heredia, O'neill, Furbush, Zych and the rest. Acquisitions can improve on the weakest link but improvements are becoming available from within already. I'm not opposed to improving via trade but trading 2 guys that can help now for 1 doesn't make sense. We're not talking Aoki and Lind but guys who will likely start in the league for 10+ years before FA combined. If it was guys a bit further out I'd be less reluctant. Drew and DJ aren't going to start for the mariners next week, ya know?