Warfarin

No. We have the best CF in the game. We are somewhat strapped for cash in the sense that we don't have many significant prospects on the verge of being promoted to fill gaps we have. I'd allocate the money instead to true holes (2B, 3B, SP). I have already outlined my ideal offseason, but to state it again, I'd like Hernandez and Darvish (or some equivalent thereof). We have 1B/3B "occupied' with Pujols/Cron/Valbuena/Marte. Not great, but we can deal with our holes systematically.

Yup, for sure man. I know the impetus is to plug every hole possible, but I'm perfectly content with Pujols/Cron/Valbuena/Marte/etc plugging up 1B/3B for now. If we can sign Moose for a significant discount, then that's cool, but not needed. I'd prefer another SP at the top of the rotation. If we actually made the playoffs, a Darvish/Richards/Ohtani rotation would be pretty legitimate. Asides from that, I'd like to look into finding more catching talent. I'm good with Maldonado, but he's a year away from free agency, and I'd like to be proactive about finding an elite defensive catcher to be his replacement and/or his counterpart. Not sure who that'd be.

Man, it's pretty fun right now to envision all the possibilities though. Signing Ohtani is huge and opens up a whole host of opportunities for us. I would ideally like to see us acquire a significant SP, though. A upper tier SP to accompany Ohtani + Richards would really make us legitimate contenders. So IMO, I'd like to acquire a 2B (Hernandez) and a SP (Darvish?), and call it an offseason. Have Valbuena occupy 3B for this offseason, then revisit the 3B situation next offseason.

I don't think the Dodgers sign Harper. They are averse to long-term contracts like that. It's just not Friedman or Zaidi's style. The Yanks are out on Harper almost assuredly. I don't think we are really contenders for him, but you have to admit, his LH power presence would fit in tremendously well with our team.

I think he can be had. If it requires gutting the farm system, then forget it. Again, it's a buyer's market. If a team asks too much, then that's okay, move along to the next option. Hernandez, Kinsler, Castro, Walker, etc...

I think it's pretty much a given we're going to acquire a 2B. We have no real option other than Cowart. We have cap space. There are a number of second baseman available via trade. It's a buyer's market for 2B. I guarantee you we are getting someone. Ideally it'll be Hernandez, as he best suits our needs, but I'm confident we get someone. Beyond him, we have many options. I like Santana, but we have no need for a first baseman anymore. I think we could sign Moose, as we have no third base prospects coming up, and he'd give us a LH presence in the lineup. But *ONLY* if we get him at a fairly discounted contract, which is definitely possible given the lack of 3B buyers in the market. Darvish would be cool, but I'm reluctant to commit significant dollars to a SP on the wrong side of 30. We could always just find some players who we could sign to 1 year contract. Harper is a FA next year, and the Yankees are conceivably no longer in the market for a RF. I'd be cool adding Harper to this team

At this point, I'd say the one position we definitely need to address is 2B. With Ohtani in the fold, assuming he DHs 3-4 days a week, with Pujols DHing the other 3-4 days and possibly manning 1B 1-2 times a week, we have a bit of flexibility with 1B/3B. Between Pujols, Valbuena, Cron, Marte, and Cowart, we have various options we can mix and match at those positions. Hernandez is the key target. I'm really hoping Billy can swing a trade for him, as he'd solve our leadoff + 2B hole for the next 3 years. I like Santana, but we obviously don't have room for him anymore. Moose... he's a possibility, but I'm not so sure either. Darvish, maybe? Having a top 3 of Darvish / Richards / Ohtani would be amazing, but I'm not sure he's worth the investment at this point. We'll see what happens. But wow, what an amazing offseason so far!

I’m so happy. What a great day!!

Absolutely. Skaggs, Thasis, and filler? Something like that. Darvish, Richards, Ohtani, Shoemaker, Heaney, Tropeano, Bridwell, Ramirez, Barrios. Pretty legitimate depth with aces at the top. Go for it Arte and Billy!

I agree with you, but we do have him. If we can get Moose at a “discount” (4/60), might be worthwhile. I am okay sacrificing the 2nd round pick now, as we have essentially acquired two top picks in the span of a few days. That said, is Moose worth the marginal upgrade, or should we instead go after a top starter? Putting Darvish in the rotation with Richards and Ohtani at the top would be a pretty amazing move, although I am fairly reluctant to commit to a long-term deal to a pitcher on the wrong side of 30.

Right, but I wonder how literal that quote is, that we were the only team offering him to play daily. I imagine other teams would offer him the chance to DH/play the field 3-4 days a week. The way it’s phrased makes me think we see him in the lineup maybe six days a week to some extent, whether it’s as a SP or DH. At least that is how I am interpreting that quote. That said, I agree with you in that I feel having him rest before/after his start is ideal.

Moose is an option, but we do have Valbuena. I know he is not as exciting, but we do have him signed for the year, and 1B no longer an option. In a dream world, Albert magically vanishes, we sign Santana at 1B, and have Valbuena shift to third. But can’t have everything, I suppose, haha.

Keep in mind that we were the only team telling him we would play him daily. This means he is our DH 5 days a week or so, most likely. Thus, for better or worse, we have acquired our new 1B - Albert. He will occupy 1B 4-5 days a week most likely, with days off sprinkled in, and will assuredly be DH when Ohtani pitches. Thus, no Santana. Valbuena shifts to 3B and probably platoons with Marte or another modest FA signing. We will almost assuredly acquire a 2B. I am hoping it is Hernandez. We will still have enough payroll to pursue one more significant piece. OR, we hold tight, and shock the world by signing Bryce Harper next offseason

I think we trade Skaggs + prospect for Hernandez. The rotation would be: Richards, Ohtani, Shoemaker, Heaney, Bridwel, Tropeano. We will pitch Ohtani just once a week probably, or maybe every 6 days at most. Lineup: 2B Hernandez CF Trout LF Upton DH Ohtani 1B Pujols RF Calhoun 3B Valbuena / Marte SS Simmons C Maldonado Unlikely that'll happen, but I am thinking super optimistcally about Ohtani's abilities. That said, I do think we keep Trout in the 2 hole. I wouldn't bump him down to 3rd.

Guys, we are legitimate contenders again. We have the best player in the game, a strong FO, and are successfully rebuilding our farm system. Welcome to the new era! All hail Billy EPPLER!

Oh right, my bad. Forgot to include him, lol.

Now let’s go Trade for Hernandez and Stanton and call it an offseason!

BLESS YOU BILLY EPPLER!!!

YES!!! HUGE!!

This is fine. I was never excited about getting Dee Gordon to play 2B, would much rather trade a bit more and get Hernandez. I do feel additional international money won’t tip the scales. It’s nice to have, sure, but Ohtani clearly is most interested in the team that will maximize his value and legacy. Otherwise, he would have waited two more years to come over.

That’s okay, Angels won’t need a starter once they sign Ohtani

I'm sure there's a backup plan of sorts. I'm guessing if we don't sign Ohtani, we will sign some other international prospects with the money we just acquired.

All this said, it'd be truly something if Ohtani does come here. I've seen pretty much all of the other finalists (Dodgers, Mariners, Padres, etc) listed as favorites by various members of the media over the last few days, but I don't think I've seen anyone list us as a favorite. It'd be pretty awesome if we shocked the media and were the ones to actually sign him!

Don't give me more hope, man! I'm trying to temper my expectations here.. haha.

While I have no idea where Ohtani is going, I do feel this is going to be over within a few days. He blitzed through those meetings in 2 days. Maybe he'll go visit the parks for some of the teams, but at this point, I doubt it. I look forward to this being done shortly.