We have three cornerstones right now --> Vlad/Bo/Manoah
Who do you lock up/who can you build a championship team around?
Vlad - generational hitter with one MVP season (his 2019/2020/2022 (1386 PAs) are extremely similar while his MVP season (698 PAs) is the outlier), improving his 1B defense and easily en route to a gold glove, could be the face of the franchise, and obviously the whole Canadian/Expo heritage
Bo - consistent 120 wRC+ player, and en route to another 5 WAR season (ZiPS projections; Steamer has him at 4.8), improving his defense every year steadily, incredible work ethic (has been spending more time with Chappy to improve his throwing), philanthropist/no-BS personality, can be a team-leader in the future
Manoah - possibly our ace or #2 for the future, handles pressure/spotlight incredibly well, always team first, imitates Verlander's style of pitching and always striving to improve his repertoire, incredible personality to boot (you either love him or you hate him, no in between)
Genuinely can't see an instance where we'll have the payroll flexibility to lock up all 3.
Manoah pre-arb for 2 more years; Bo is heading into ARB1 next year; Vlad is heading into ARB 2.