Warfarin

Keep in mind that having a 6 man starting rotation doesn’t mean we need all 6 up on the active roster at once.  A 10-day DL and roster options enable enough roster flexibility such that players can be shuttled back and forth between the majors/minors, DL, etc.  So a lot of times, we might only have 5 SP on the active roster, enabling us to have another bench player.

We just got better guys!  Let's focus on that.  I'm excited that Eppler keeps making these low risk, solid moves.  There's also something to be said about acquiring players who are a year away from FA - perhaps they'll be a bit more motivated to give it their all, knowing a strong year could lead to a better payday in the offseason.

To be fair, last year was the worst year Valbuena had in the last 5 seasons.  It doesn't mean he'll find his previous form, but he's a decent bounce back candidate.  If he can channel his 2013-2016 form, he'd be an average 3B for us, which is enough IMO with the rest of the team we have.  If he doesn't, and his offense is terrible again, then we can release him or move along, as it's his last season anyway.
I do think Cron's days are numbered, especially if we sign another corner infielder as expected.  If we sign LoMo, Moose, etc.. Valbuena moves to the vacant spot.  If we sign LoMo, then it's basically LoMo/Pujols at 1B.  If we sign Moose, it's basically Valbuena/Pujols at 1B.  I don't see room for Cron on this current roster.
Maldonado's offense doesn't matter to me.  A catcher literally impacts every single pitch defensively, which is why, IMO, an elite defensive catcher is by FAR the most valuable defensive player you can have on the field.  

Obviously still a work in progress, as we look to secure another corner infielder, but so far:
2017                                                2018
3B Escobar                                     2B Kinsler
RF Calhoun                                     RF Calhoun
CF Trout                                          CF Trout
DH Pujols                                        LF Upton
1B Cron                                           1B  Pujols *OR* DH Pujols
LF Maybin                                       3B Cozart 
SS Simmons                                   DH Ohtani *OR* 1B/ Valbuena
2B Espinoza                                    SS Simmons
C  Malonado                                    C Maldonado
 
Not bad, Mr. Eppler, not bad.  

Moreover, per fangraphs, Kinsler was the second best defensive 2B in the big leagues last year among qualifiers, and rated way better than anyone we rolled out at second.  Just goes with the theme of acquiring strong defenders up the middle.  Our pitchers will be grateful for him next year.

What I imagine is that Eppler is probably negotiating multiple deals for 2B, will pit them against one another, and ultimately go with the most value.  He's savvy like that

So arguably, we just need to replace our black holes with average players, as we already have several elite players occupying spots (Trout an Simmons for sure, Upton can probably be considered elite in LF too).
It's very easy to upgrade from #30 to #15.  The hardest (and much more expensive) trick is to upgrade from #15 to #1.
Adding Kinsler lifts us from 28th to middle of the pack fairly easily.  Could be even higher if he rebounds a little bit to, say, 3 WAR.
*IF* we sign, say, LoMo (at 2/25), then I think 1B is improved a bit.  It'll be brought down by the fact that Pujols will be rolled out to play 1B 1-2 times per week, I guess.  Still, going off of last year's production, his presence would likewise bring us to the middle of the pack at 1B.
As for 3B, well, we'll see.  If we roll with Valbuena/Marte, we may not improve much there, but I do expect Valbuena to bounce back a bit.  Let's say we stay the same though and don't really improve there.
DH - yeah, well, we're stuck it appears.  BUT, adding Ohtani does mean perhaps 3 days a week of him batting.  He's a great unknown, so can't really project much, but I'd like to think he'd help us climb a bit higher than dead last.
As an aside, WAR doesn't take into account pitch framing.  So as for Maldonado's ranking, I'm not sure how much things change when you factor that in, but I'm pretty certain he's quite a bit more valuable than #27.
So to summarize, I'd say we have definitely improved now at 2B, likely to improve at one of the corners, and probably improve a little bit at DH with Ohtani aboard.  Those upgrades are probably enough to put us right in the thick of wild card contention, which is definitely a step in the right direction.

Obviously still a work in progress, as we look to secure another corner infielder, but so far:
2017                                                2018
3B Escobar                                     2B Kinsler
RF Calhoun                                     RF Calhoun
CF Trout                                          CF Trout
DH Pujols                                        LF Upton
1B Cron                                           1B  Pujols *OR* DH Pujols
LF Maybin                                       3B Cozart 
SS Simmons                                   DH Ohtani *OR* 1B/ Valbuena
2B Espinoza                                    SS Simmons
C  Malonado                                    C Maldonado
 
Not bad, Mr. Eppler, not bad.  

Moreover, per fangraphs, Kinsler was the second best defensive 2B in the big leagues last year among qualifiers, and rated way better than anyone we rolled out at second.  Just goes with the theme of acquiring strong defenders up the middle.  Our pitchers will be grateful for him next year.

Obviously still a work in progress, as we look to secure another corner infielder, but so far:
2017                                                2018
3B Escobar                                     2B Kinsler
RF Calhoun                                     RF Calhoun
CF Trout                                          CF Trout
DH Pujols                                        LF Upton
1B Cron                                           1B  Pujols *OR* DH Pujols
LF Maybin                                       3B Cozart 
SS Simmons                                   DH Ohtani *OR* 1B/ Valbuena
2B Espinoza                                    SS Simmons
C  Malonado                                    C Maldonado
 
Not bad, Mr. Eppler, not bad.  

Admittedly I struggle to forget things that aren't true.

That makes no sense, Moose isn't depth. He can't play any position well. He's a DH, corner infielder. Depth is Chris Taylor, Kike Hernandez, guys that can play multiple positions and give you flexibility. "Flexibility" is a word Eppler was using at his presser earlier. The last thing we need is a third base Cj Cron. If you give Cron 650 at bats he'll hit 30 homers but have a low OBP/bad defense/baserunning. If you add the RF wall we have it's unlikely Moose hits 38 homers here. Eppler has stressed OBP and defense versatility, which Moose doesn't fit AT all.

We just got better guys!  Let's focus on that.  I'm excited that Eppler keeps making these low risk, solid moves.  There's also something to be said about acquiring players who are a year away from FA - perhaps they'll be a bit more motivated to give it their all, knowing a strong year could lead to a better payday in the offseason.

I'm surprised how many people are upset about this.  Yeah, he did some things to irk some fans earlier - let it go man.  We just acquired a strong defensive, decent offensive second baseman for two fringe prospects.  Even if he tanks, he's gone after the year anyway.  He is what he is - a bandaid for the year, but we are light years ahead of where we were last year (having Danny Espinoza as our starting 2B).
We are gradually getting better by the day, guys.  That is what counts.

I'm surprised how many people are upset about this.  Yeah, he did some things to irk some fans earlier - let it go man.  We just acquired a strong defensive, decent offensive second baseman for two fringe prospects.  Even if he tanks, he's gone after the year anyway.  He is what he is - a bandaid for the year, but we are light years ahead of where we were last year (having Danny Espinoza as our starting 2B).
We are gradually getting better by the day, guys.  That is what counts.

Moreover, per fangraphs, Kinsler was the second best defensive 2B in the big leagues last year among qualifiers, and rated way better than anyone we rolled out at second.  Just goes with the theme of acquiring strong defenders up the middle.  Our pitchers will be grateful for him next year.

I'm surprised how many people are upset about this.  Yeah, he did some things to irk some fans earlier - let it go man.  We just acquired a strong defensive, decent offensive second baseman for two fringe prospects.  Even if he tanks, he's gone after the year anyway.  He is what he is - a bandaid for the year, but we are light years ahead of where we were last year (having Danny Espinoza as our starting 2B).
We are gradually getting better by the day, guys.  That is what counts.

Moreover, per fangraphs, Kinsler was the second best defensive 2B in the big leagues last year among qualifiers, and rated way better than anyone we rolled out at second.  Just goes with the theme of acquiring strong defenders up the middle.  Our pitchers will be grateful for him next year.

This is a GREAT move guys.  We got Kinsler for basically nothing.  I personally really wanted Hernandez, but I’m guessing the price was just too high.  If Kinsler even rebounds just a little and puts up a WAR of 3, that’s a huge upgrade compared to what we had last year.  And if he falls apart and stinks?  Well, it’s the last year of his deal anyway, so we easily move on.
Great move Billy.  We can shoot for our long-term 2B next offseason.  Onto a lefty power hitting corner infielder!

We'll have to see what we traded, but as long as it's "very little," then this is a good move.  Preserves the farm.  I do wish we could have found someone who could anchor down the position long-term.  That said, it doesn't NECESSARILY rule out the possibility of Hernandez, either.  Kinsler can shift to 3B with Hernandez at 2B, if the Phillies lower their asking price.  That said, I'm not betting on that currently, so I'll take Kinsler as our new leadoff hitter at 2B.  Our 2B hole is filled for 2018 at least, so that's awesome.

What I imagine is that Eppler is probably negotiating multiple deals for 2B, will pit them against one another, and ultimately go with the most value.  He's savvy like that

Sorry, I can't get on board with that.  Operating like a first class organization who treats their players well will help us attract more players in the future, in addition to attracting more front office talent, etc.  Would you want to work for an employer that you knew ran someone into the ground to get rid of them?  I sure wouldn't.  It's about forward-thinking and creating a great culture that everyone would love to be a part of.

Agree.  Kinsler's a good 2B still.  If Detroit is willing to dump him for salary relief, then I'll gladly take him on if we can't get Cesar Hernandez at a reasonable price.  He'd fit nicely as our leadoff hitter.

I'd be fine with Kinsler, although I'm hoping we can secure a more long-term asset at 2B.  I know Kinsler is not liked here, but he'd be a gigantic improvement over the production we got out of 2B last year.

It's why our pending trade with Philly is being held up.  The deal is contingent on him still being alive.