Don't trade Danny Salazar. When discussions about a guy include the phrase "...if he can only reach his potential" it means that his trade value is not spectacular. Plus, even if he never reaches his potential he provides a great 5th starter. If you trade him you are in the same boat as with him underperforming, your 5th starter has to slide up to #4. When you consider that Ryan Merritt would slot in as the 5th starter and compare him to Salazar knowing Josh Tomlin would be that new #4, you don't trade Salazar.
Do sign relievers. Look, we are at January 4th. Borderline guys like Dillon Gee are running for Japan for $1 or $2 million deals. Looking at the list of free agent relievers, if all these guys are truly still available, you have the following:
Addison Reed, Chad Qualls, Glenn Perkins, Seung-hwan Oh, Dustin McGowen, Greg Holland, Sergio Romo, Matt Albers, Matt Belisle, Trevor Cahill, Tyler Clippard, Jason Grilli, Drew Storen, Huston Street, Tony Watson, Koji Uehara, Travis Wood, Neftali Feliz, Bruen Duensing, Kevin Siegrist, Bruce Rondon, Blaine Boyer, Craig Breslow, Eric O'Flaherty, Oliver Perez, Zach Putnam, Bud Norris, Jason Motte, Francisco Liriano, David Hernandez, Ian Krol, Al Alburquerque, Josh Collmentor, Jorge De La Rosa, Jeanmar Gomez, Francisco Rodriguez, Fernando Salas and a few others.
If Dillon Gee is going to another country we should be able to sign 3 of these guys, at least, without breaking the budget. Instead we bring in guys I have never heard of including Robert Zarate, who hasn't even pitched in two years. Guys, you have a great team, don't blow it by leaving the end of the bullpen to Louis Head, Josh Martin and Cameron Hill. While I would LOVE for those guys to get a chance this year, I don't want them as our first option...with no one backing them up if they fail.
The relievers are out there and at this point they should be attainable at bargain basement prices. Time to go get some!
Don't sign or trade for hitters - We have enough hitting, enough guys who can play various positions, etc. If you add more hitters through free agency you stand the chance to lose guys like Gonzalez and Urshela on waivers. Plus, you trade for a hitter and you lose tradeable assets you may need in July.
We have enough hitters. Leave this area alone.
Don't panic - There is enough that can be done cheaply that we should not panic. I love the way this team is constructed. You need to plan for next year and the year after that while winning this year. If you do the three things above and don't panic you will be fine.
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