PREAMBLE
I'm looking to win multiple championships starting in 2020. If that's going to happen I want a roster with three 5 WAR players, and I want to surround them with 2 to 3 WAR players.
My possible 5 WAR players, in order I think they have a chance, are Eloy, Moncada, Kopech, Madrigal and Cease. It would be great, but is probably wildly optomistic to think that we will get all three from this bunch, or that someone will surprise us.
Even if 2 go big, we still need an impact player. Only Machado is available this year. I don't want to plan on replacing players where we have the possibility of a star, so if everything works out and Madrigal can man 2B and push Moncada to 3B, I don't want to worry about either position right now, so no Machado for me.
Also, I'm not worrying about the outfield. If we get a lucky break, we might be able to push Eloy to 1B or DH. My biggest concern is the lack of reasonable choices at Catcher, and that will need to be addressed.
Looking at starting pitching for 2020, there are still plenty of possibilities, and it's hard to know who will step up. Between Kopech, Cease, Lopez, Rodon, Giolito, and Dunning, we may already have a very solid roster.
I'm going to let that play out and see what we learn this year.
I'm also hesitant to spend money this year on relief pitching. We have so many unknown players that need to be challenged and given a chance to shine.
Having said all that, I need to watch some better baseball next year.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Jose Abreu, $16M - Tender
Avisail Garcia, $8M - Tender
Yolmer Sanchez, $4.7M - Tender
Carlos Rodon, $3.7M - Tender
Matt Davidson, $2.4M - Non-Tender
Leury Garcia, $1.9M - Non-Tender
Danny Farquhar, $1.4M - Non-Tender
CLUB OPTIONS
Nate Jones, $4.65 million/$1.25M buyout - Decline
James Shields, $16 million/$2M buyout - Decline
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Miguel Gonzalez (made $4.75 million in 2018) - Let Go
Hector Santiago (made $2 million in 2018 — added) - Retain
FREE AGENTS
My big play is Yasmani Grandal at 4 years and 75 M. He's the catcher of the future.
I'd like to be able to watch this team play next year without cringing as much as I will probably need to, so I am going to sign 1 year deals with Josh Donaldson for 20 M and Adam Jones for 18 M.
TRADES
My only trade is Welington Castillo for a bag of balls. I have too many unanswered questions, and I want to make sure I don't Tatis anyone.
SUMMARY
My 25 man roster
C - Yasmani Grandal
1B - Jose Abreu
2B - Yoan Moncada
3B - Josh Donaldson
SS - Tim Anderson
LF - Eloy Jimenez
CF - Adam Jones
RF - Avisail Garcia
DH - Daniel Palka
UT - Yolmer Sanchez
UT - Adam Engel
C - Omar Narvaez
Rotation: Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito, Dylan Covey, Jordan Guerrero
Bullpen: Jace Fry, Juan Minaya, Caleb Frare, Ian Hamilton, Ryan Burr, Aaron Bummer, Jordan Stephens, Hector Santiago
Total Payroll: 79 M
If Jose Abreu or Avisail Garcia have any trade value at the deadline, away they go. There is no plan for them on my 2020 team.
If Madrigal struggles next year, then Nolan Arenado is a 5 WAR player who might be available in 2020 for 3B.
This team should be a lot more fun to watch next year with a real catcher, third baseman and center fielder. The struggle will most likely come from the pitching and the bullpen might be absolute crap. Obviously, this team is not intended to win, but hopefully we get to around 72 wins, and more importantly, answer questions on how to move forward in 2020. My big goal, not handicap the rebuild, and still want to watch past May.
