nikkachez

I think you hit the nail on the head. The pitching is a huge X-factor. I think having a full offseason to just rest and get ready as opposed to rehabbing will do him wonders, along with having a normal Major League spring training routine instead of playing catch up with minor league rehab starts. We'll have a full year of Heaney, Skaggs has had a ton of time to recover from his surgery, can't wait to let him continue to develop. CJ will be healthy (hopefully). I think Weaver and Shoemaker will be better than last year, even if it's a slight improvement. I think the rotation will easily be able to duplicate the 2014 staff. My one real big question is the bullpen. Remember how strong it was down the stretch? After the Frieri for Grilli flip, picking up Street, Jepsen seemed to have really turned a corner, Morin emerged as a stud, even Rasmus and Salas were really solid. Then pen heading into 2016 is nowhere near as deep or strong as that group. I think Morin will bounce-back, but I have some serious questions about the bullpen. I think they need to make a move before the season starts, and even then, I think they'll need to make a move during the season (much like the boost the Grilli trade provided). Left field will get addressed (whether it's Cespedes, Upton, Gordon, Span, etc.), I think they still want to make a move for a second baseman (they could flip a starter for one), but the pen should be the very next focus. I'd even argue it's more of an issue than second base. Just trying to guess along with the Halos FO.

If this is the left field solution, I will be piiiiiissssed. If you're going the cheaper route, Arte, at least make it someone like Hyun-soo Kim.

Lol oh shit Willits was at .356, actually not bad considering how bad he was. Point remains! That's some weak tea with those comparisons!

Lol wait wait wait you used ones career, and then ones projections for next season (which are always conservative)? How in the hell is that fair? Willits Career: .256/.356/.302 Fowler Career: .267/.363/.418 That's over a .200 difference in OPS. What a pathetic argument lol Even then, Baseball Reference has Fowler's projections of .258/.351/.408. At least put some goddamn thought into it before making such a stupid point.

Cespedes is my number 1 target, only problem is that the lineup only has the one left-handed bat, Kole Calhoun. Think they'd need to add somebody left handed into the mix (and no I'm not counting on Choi to be that guy).

I think they want Gordon.

Yeah seemed a bit dramatic. He's not amazing, but a very useful and solid ballplayer. A .350-.360 OBP at the top of the lineup would be huge.

Inject as much OBP as possible. I'd think Fowler, Span, Gordon, and Upton are the top choices for them. But they need 2-3 really good bats in my opinion.

Giving up the pick stings, but Fowler's at the top of my board. I think he'd benefit moving to left field, he's known as a great teammate, and doesn't break the bank. Move Escobar down to the #2 spot, then get creative with a Wilson and/or Hector trade (maybe even along with Cron) for a pen arm, lefty DH option, and some low level prospects. Get young pieces back for CJ and Hector, sweeten the deal with Cron in one of them, sign a lower tier starter, then go to war.

Cespedes, Upton, Fowler, and Span are my guys.

I'd actually hit Upton second, lineup's going to be right-handed heavy anyway, have Kole hit more in the middle. Escobar, Upton, Trout, Pujols, Calhoun, Cron, etc.

Choi to Ortega, so metta

Alright, now go get one of the big name outfielders.

I do, and I'm thinking it's still for a third baseman or second baseman. I think we'll see a trade before any free agent signings.

ONLY if they blow the first pick on on a Heyward, Gordon, or Upton. Even then I'd hesitant. Dude's gonna get paid for one postseason.

I think they go the FA route for LF with all of the options available. Use the few, precious trade assets left to get a third or second baseman with the FA market being weak in those areas.

I would be happy with Upton. Heck, I'd be happy with Heyward, Upton, Cespedes, or Gordon.

I just don't think the Cards or Cubs will shell out the dough to get Heyward. Neither were going to spend that much on a starting pitcher (rumors were that the Cards bid for Price were $30 million less than Boston's offer), I don't think Heyward is a huge need for the Cardinals considering they have Grichuk, Holliday, Pham, and Piscotty in the outfield, along with big needs at first and the starting rotation with Lynn out for the year (and losing Lackey). Between the two, I'd think the Cubs sign him, and trade Soler for a starting pitcher.

I would be pretty happy with Cespedes and Chen. That's 30+ homerun potential and 200+ solid innings in the rotation, but I'm interested in what routes they could take to keep the pick. Somewhat (at least) intriguing FA's without the draft pick compensation. Pedro Alvarez, Chris Carter, Justin Morneau, Ben Zobrist, David Freese (lol), Rajai Davis, John Jaso, Henderson Alvarez, Johnny Cueto, Doug Fister, Scott Kazmir, Mike Leake, Kenta Maeda, Seung-hwan Oh, Antonio Bastardo, Tony Sipp. Limits the options a bit. Cueto and Cespedes? Seems a little sketchy haha

Exactly where I'm at, just not my first choice. Would still need a leadoff hitter.

I'd be pissed if they got Bruce.

Trade CJ, get as much salary relief as possible, get at least a decent piece back, trade Hector for another piece, then sign Heyward and a starting pitcher? Trading CJ and Hector could free up $13-$16 million.

Agreed, Heyward should be hitting second. Tough to find a good matchup since it would basically have to be a second or third baseman. If they went the DH route, maybe John Jaso?

Run prevention babyyyyyy. Now sign Heyward.

I think Freese gets re-signed, even it's not my preferred choice, and I think Utley is signed for the last bench spot. Gives some depth at second, first, and maybe even third while adding another lefty bat to the mix. One of the big free agents will be signed, I'm gonna go with Heyward, and then CJ+cash will get traded for a pen arm or something along those lines.