[Harry Lime]

RHP Hyun-Jin Ryu Last years salary was 17.9
RHP Chase Anderson
RHP Trent Thornton
LHP Taiguan Walker Option was not picked up at 12.5
RHP Matt Shoemaker
LHP Anthony Kay
LHP Ryan Borucki
RHP Jacob Waguespack

One second level pitcher (Ryu would likely cost somewhere around 20/5) and a third level pitcher (Walker around 2/10 with a 3rd team option) would really stabilize the roster.

The problem is that the FA class next year is pretty weak. Best to lock up Ryu now, as next year he would represent the best FA equivalent.

Then you hope that Kay, Thornton or Borucki takes that next step, with Pearson and Smith-Richardson waiting in the wings. They can't afford to wait for what they think is their window, and lose a year of control on the rest of the team.