I'm cool with running out what we have for LF options for now, as long as they've left enough enough room for an addition mid season. Maybe it's best to wait and see exactly what we need (just a platoon guy if Upton hits vs an every day player if not), and make sure we don't already have a good option in house with the young guys.
Gose reportedly touched 95-97 as a high school lefty, so he'd have a nice base to build from.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2008/reports_popup.jsp?popup=yes&content=gose
Enjoy your retirement, JP. If you're looking for some activities to help fill all your free time, might I suggest: kayaking, knitting, kiting, kickball, ketchup, knotting, kneading, kneeboarding, kissing....
You touched on something there that I'm not sure I've seen anyone mention yet - I don't think it should be considered 100% out of the question that Harold Ramirez hits his way into the conversation for a very early call up and stays if he continues to hit in the big leagues.
Recent history has shown that it's not tough or expensive to acquire corner outfield, bullpen and bench help mid season. It's not the end of the world if we start the year with a couple cheaper options as filler for the time being.
Bring in Juan Graterol to battle AJ and Ohlman in ST. Between the three we'd have the backup job and both AAA slots filled for roughly the same total price as Iannetta just went for.
If we're looking at a ST competition between unproven options for the backup catcher job, we should at least add another name to the list.
Juan Graterol was DFA'd by Arizona to make room for Iannetta, he might be better than the options we have in place now.
Dodgers and Twins talks on Dozier have stalled apparently, maybe they need a third team involved to help facilitate. We get Puig, Dodgers get Dozier, Twins get one very good prospect from LA and two from us (or something along those lines).