I have to think Bautista would play 1st if we got Reddick, and the only way it would really make a lot of sense would probably be if he signed an extension.
Reddick has excellent career numbers in Rogers Center, although it's only 18 games. Heck, signing a 1 year extension might be smart for him to put up big numbers and hit FA a year later.
An auction where most people don't know it's going on seems ... bold. I wouldn't have bid so it doesn't matter to me, but I probably would have set an end date for Sunday night at midnight or something.
I feel your pain. Giles, Cecil, Kela, Smith were supposed to make up for my lack of volume among my starting pitching with their ratios... Yeah, that turned out great. Given my Harvey and Stroman disaster, it wouldn't have mattered anyway, but still.
I think the biggest thing salary wise is the capability to pay at the deadline with more money rather than better prospects. Put a $150M payroll on the team at the start of the year, but allow it to go to 160 or 170 at the deadline if necessary. Be willing to take on a (shorter term) bad contract paired with a desired player without giving up a stud prospect.
As I mentioned earlier, apparently tv viewership is also up 50%. I don't know what percentage of ads, etc are locked in at fixed prices for the year though.
Stroman threw 165 innings in 2014 (that are official, might be more in addition). He did have the layoff last year, but teams seem to worry less about that than whether a pitcher has built up the innings in the past or not. It wouldn't hurt to limit him to 5 innings in September or something when the rosters expand, but he shouldn't need to be shut down imo.
I think it would be better to just have them go 2 times through the order, then the other come in. Stro starts to get hit more 3rd time through the order, so he'd be a decent fit. Hutch would also be a decent fit. The added benefit of course is that Sanchez could still be used as a starter come the playoffs.
This is like all the people who wanted a playoff bound Raptors team to tank for a higher draft position (then complain that Toronto sports teams suck). If we were out of the race, then of course you try to trade him if he agrees. To do it with where we are in the standing would be beyond stupid.
He's gotten a little lucky with the home runs, but he's also changed his approach at the plate. He's not pull happy any more, much like he was early in his career. That's a HUGE departure from the last few years.
I assume they'd roll people through the DH, with Smoak losing some playing time and the other guys getting some rest as DH down the stretch. Having another "true" CF wouldn't be a bad thing either in case Pillar goes down.
Sale could also be living on borrowed time in terms of TJS. I agree though, it's hard to argue Sanchez over Sale given track record. I wouldn't be comfortable adding a ton either though.
Given that we have 6 sp (Hutch in the minors) and guys who could come in if needed in Chavez and probably Biagini, I'd rather just pick up a really good BP arm or two.