Nice post, Wolf. Lots to think about.
On the 2B situation: I still don't see much reason to believe that Stewart's bat is big-league ready. So even if he can make the switch defensively, I think we need to bring someone else in. I'd go with Tadahito Iguchi; he was just as good as Kaz was this year offensively, and he actually has a track record. I'd guess that he'll come a little cheaper than Kaz would, too. He's an average everyday player, which we could really use at that position.
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At catcher, you have to give Iannetta a shot, and I don't think Yorvit will be worth the money he commands. Bring in a backup and let it be know to Hurdle that Ianetta is the starter from day one. CF came up lame this post season. Taveras isn't the answer, and I would like to see Spilly and Smith get some playing time next year.
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Agreed on all counts.
On the bullpen: I agree that Fuentes has to go. We simply can't be paying $6 million to a non-elite reliever. As for the rest of it, though: the lesson of Matt Herges is that guys like Matt Herges are violently inconsistent and not hard to find. Herges was extremely valuable for us this year, but his success was heavily BABIP-driven... and we're talking about a guy who turns 38 next year and sucked in '05 and '06. He projects around replacement level. And Hawkins? Similar situation. Had a great year, but BABIP played a substantial role in that, and he's on the wrong side of 35. I don't want to be paying him $4 million next year, but I'm sure that there's someone out there who does. Pick up his option and trade him.
I'd try to bring back Affeldt, and make a run at Kerry Wood. Beyond that, we can fill out the bullpen with Bautista/Clarke/Morillo and an NRI or two.
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1. Francis
2. Cook
3. Jimenez
4. FA
5. Hirsh
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Looks good to me. The FA pitching market is terrible, though. I'd hope to get one of Jennings or Brett Tomko... and of course, I'd give Buchholz another shot at starting.
So the guys I'd be looking to trade are Fuentes, Hawkins, and Taveras. Haven't figured out who we should target in trade, though.