He really has no home / road splits in terms of home runs or doubles, but he strikes out a TON more on the road and hits for a much lower average (.261 road, .334 home in his career). He had a fantastic season last year, but it's very unlikely that it's the new norm. I wouldn't mind trading for him, I just feel like Stroman is WAY too heavy a price. I do like the fact he can hit lefties.
Well if you're getting a young, high end, cost controlled outfielder, etc in return then it's just a different allocation of resources. One in which you take advantage of the market that's probably gone too far in the reliever direction.
With the prices closers are getting, both trade and FA, I think we should seriously consider trading Osuna. Maybe we can fill an outfield spot with a high end, young MLB ready prospect, and then some. Sign Holland, Tolleson, etc for the pen.
I wonder what the cost would be like to get Vogt, now that he's reaching arbitration years? Or perhaps Rupp now that Alfaro is knocking on the door in Philly? Vogt could split time at 1st, DH, and catcher, maybe even outfield in a pinch. Rupp is an average framer with good defense, and the bat is playable for a backup catcher.
Even then, cost of living is only a very VERY small portion of what he makes. Most other more luxury things are roughly the same once the exchange rate is baked in, with some exceptions.
If push came to shove, I'd probably be okay with going to 18M per. He really is the perfect fit for us. I'd be a lot happier about it at 16M per though.
I'd say it was his agent being overly optimistic. Edwin is viewed by a lot of people as a DH (he's been part time 1B the last few years, but it's easy to see an NL team being hesitant on running him out there full time). Papi (on short term deals, and he was older) topped out at 16M for a single season. 20M per for four years, plus the pick, probably wasn't going to be beat by much if at all.