devilalum said:
That pitching staff is not very good. If Ortiz is the #3 starter all year the Dbacks will not win 80 games.
I'm not either... It's probably the most logical considering that Kendrick still wants to "cap" the Dbacks payroll at $65 mil.... I wonder what Kenny Rogers' asking price is? Perhaps Jason Johnson (formerly of the Tigers), Tony Armas (Nationals), or Jamey Wright (Rockies) could be had at a cheap price....
Unfortunately, regardless..it appears more likely that we're stuck with Ortiz as the #3 or #4 starter because of what had to be one of the worst miscalculated FA signings in quite some time....
Although, if the Dbacks managed to remove both Glaus and Gonzo off the payroll, that would clear-off roughly $14 mil...they would only be adding around $8-9 mil (between Pierre and Lo Duca), and I believe Weaver would cost about $4-5 mil..which might leave enough to get someone such as Loazia or any of the 2nd tier FA pitchers that are on the market.... They still would have enough to acquire a veteran closer of merit and also to re-sign Worrell or get Bobby Howry...
If the Marlins deal didnt materialize, then I would envision Benson becoming the Dbacks starter and then making that trade with Seattle for Torrealba (who wouldnt cost the Dbacks more than a lower AA prospect).... Then, they still might be able to get one of those aforementioned FA starters..
1) Weaver
2) Webb
3) Benson
4) Ortiz/Vargas
5) Halsey
The latter would be the best case scenario for a rotation, however, the team would still lack offensively..... I just hope Byrnes and the "braintrust" are creative as well as successful in all their offseason dealings.... They better not jeopardize the long-term potential of this franchise or else....