Quote:
Originally Posted by edslunch
Hoffman’s 9-7 record says a legit closer is a priority. That’s a lot of blown games there.
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I guess do you pick that over Bo or a starter? I don't think they have the budget for all 3 and if I have to give up 1 I'd pick the closer.
And then I'd start thinking about giving the job to Garcia or Varland.
I agree getting a better closer is a high priority, but I'd put it at 3rd.
1) top of rotation starter
2) Bichette signing (or replace production with another bat)
3) closer
4) additional relief help
Maybe they could free up some cash elsewhere to get all 3.
Eg Myles Straw is at $7MM. If you can get someone to take his contract (and he played well enough this year that you might be able to trade him to a weaker team as the starting CF) you can replace him with Loperfido for $0.8MM and spend the savings elsewhere. In a perfect world you'd trade both him and Rodriguez, and that would leave you $13MM for a top tier closer. But I doubt Yariel could be moved without attaching significant value in prospects.
I also think they need to keep adding to the rotation for continuity reasons. As of now the only starters they have signed/controlled for 2027 are Berrios (at $24 MM!) And Yesavage. Gausman and Bieber are both FA at the end of 2026, so it would be good to have at least one good arm locked in for a few years to provide some stability.