Your 3 moves to get this team into the playoffs next year

[Schad]

It's absolutely difficult to push on; heh, even in a blow-it-up I didn't bother trying to move Buehrle, because I couldn't think of anyone who'd pay $19m a year for what he offers, or perhaps even half that.

As for blowing it up, my feeling is simply that we need to give it another year just to show that good attendances will follow if we're relatively competitive; I fear the possibility that Rogers will take away from this and the 2008 attempt that spending money is a net loss, and even if we strip this thing to the bone, I'd like there to be funding available when we're ready to take another crack at it.

[Michael Bradley]

It's absolutely difficult to push on; heh, even in a blow-it-up I didn't bother trying to move Buehrle, because I couldn't think of anyone who'd pay $19m a year for what he offers, or perhaps even half that.

As for blowing it up, my feeling is simply that we need to give it another year just to show that good attendances will follow if we're relatively competitive; I fear the possibility that Rogers will take away from this and the 2008 attempt that spending money is a net loss, and even if we strip this thing to the bone, I'd like there to be funding available when we're ready to take another crack at it.

I honestly would not mind either scenario (going for it or blowing it up) as long as they go all-in in either direction. If they trade veterans, then trade everyone. If they go for it, then go big (i.e. Cliff Lee and not more #4-5 starters). In either scenario, negatives will be there. Trading for Cliff Lee further destroys the farm system (it would probably make the system dead last in baseball) and doesn't guarantee a playoff berth. Trading everyone away makes the farm system top 5 again, but it just adds a lot more years that fans will have to wait for a winner.

Alex has a very tough job this winter. I don't envy him.

[kingcns187]

Drop Buerlhe and use that money to sign Cano at 2B


Johnson for a draft pick,

Morrow Happ Romero and Drabek should all be back next season

[BigLeagueChew]

is their a Joe Carter + Alomar trade out there? A Dave Winfield or Paul Molitor we can acquire?

[MikeM]

A Marlins style rebuild isn't even a bad thing if you have the money to re-invest.

I would personally unload all our main relievers except Delabar.

Next year we could go with Delabar - Santos - Loup - McGowan - Perez - Wagner and maybe a couple signings and we'd be alright I think.

I'd also really want to move Melky, Buehrle, Bonifacio, Izturis and just fill their spots with min. contracts.

We are not in a bad position because we have players and money. Let's just turn some of those guys into prospects and re-invest the money.

[akakalakin]

1. change everyone in the starting rotation
2. change half of the defense
3. change half of the offense

[Ado05]

Only thing i would do is Fire Gibbons. I don't believe the way the season has gone is because of Gibbon, but I do feel that a change is needed. I think AA was a little parnoid after Farrell left and I feel like he chose Gibbons over potentially better options because he could trust him.

[Graham's Cracker]

It's absolutely difficult to push on; heh, even in a blow-it-up I didn't bother trying to move Buehrle, because I couldn't think of anyone who'd pay $19m a year for what he offers, or perhaps even half that.

As for blowing it up, my feeling is simply that we need to give it another year just to show that good attendances will follow if we're relatively competitive; I fear the possibility that Rogers will take away from this and the 2008 attempt that spending money is a net loss, and even if we strip this thing to the bone, I'd like there to be funding available when we're ready to take another crack at it.

I think the whole 'wait and see at next year's deadline' makes the most sense. The value of our best assets really shouldn't diminish much. Bautista and Encarnacion will still have below market contracts for a couple more seasons which should be appealing to clubs interested in acquiring them. Even Buerhle could be easier to move since he'll only have a season and a half left on his deal.

[acemann]

sign in free agency:

Cano, Brian Mccann, Soo-choo

[kwamebargnani]

sign in free agency:

Cano, Brian Mccann, Soo-choo

AA would rather trade assets for FA contracts.