AA won't rule out "big splash" in free agency

[flatjacket1]

Based on his moves in the past 12 months where he is obsessed with the bullpen, maybe we'll make another big splash on the washed up closer market.

I think it's the right trend.

Here's my belief from April 15th 2012 (around the time of the new CBA):

Basically, the main change this new CBA implements is that quality bullpen arms will be rarer and thus cost more, both in terms of money and even possibly a draft pick. Teams no longer have incentive to drop good bullpen pieces. This will place a premium on bullpen arms. This also makes converting a starter into a reliever an easier process to stomach, as you don't lose as much value.

You can expect our bullpen to only get better with the failure of our uber strong farm arms we will see more and more switch to the pen and some will find success.

I believe we will see less and less quality arms hitting FA and thus raising the price. I personally believe AA is ahead of the trend and adding pieces that will be considerably harder to add during the offseason and throughout FA. The trade deadline may of been the last real chance to get discounted arms.

[Michael Bradley]

AA's strategy with the bullpen prior to the CBA change was to sign or acquire a middling reliever for one year and then get a pick for him the year after. With that strategy now completely abolished due to the CBA, his bullpen construction seems to have changed to cost, control, and upside. I think now that he can't abuse the system to get more draft picks he has decided to curb spending on the pen by acquiring cheap/long-term relievers and focus on other areas with whatever money he has available. At least I hope that is his reasoning. I don't think I can stomach anymore Cordero, Rauch, Dotel, etc, type signings.

Between Santos, Janssen, Oliver (if he doesn't retire), Lincoln, Delabar, and some combination of Loup, Perez, Carreno, etc, I think the bullpen doesn't really require much, if any, tinkering in the off-season. More focus needs to be put on the rotation, 2B, and LF (since I am guessing we are stuck with Lind for one more year at DH/1B).

[satyr9]

I wouldn't expect a big splash in real FA, simply because the pickings are slim. A big trade with significant salary add-on would be far more likely IMO.

And I think you can see him attacking his priorities to free up options for the offseason. The bullpen moves have been made to give him cost certainty and control at least for next season. We'll now get a little Hech run to see if he can free up KJ or other vet 2B's money in the MI. IMO he'll try to get the less costly things all locked up so he can head into the offseason with 1-3 moves to make rather than juggling some main components and a lot of smaller needs. Whether he pulls it off is totally up for debate, but I think we're seeing him trying to pare down his offseason goals so he can focus on a couple important things.