Ben moves fast or he had done a lot of work on the starter trades before the Lester decision came down. But for all his hard work, it seems we have a staff of four #3s and no real Ace, and in rebuilding the staff there is a hole in the top of the rotation.
1-???
2-Buchholz
3-Porcello
4-Miley
5-Kelly
6-AAA guy
So with a fair amount of financial flexibility and a quiver full of highly regarded prospects, how does Ben fill the hole?.
Pursue the best FA on the market Max Scherzer under the assumption that choice may be for 7/8 years at about a $28 million AAV.
Pursue free-agent James Shields, lets assume he could be had for 5/110.
Cole Hamels can be had in a trade. Lets assume his cost is 2 high ceiling prospects plus his 5/114 contract (5th year option guaranteed)
Johnny Cueto. He's a free agent in 2016 so he's basically a 1 year rental, but may cost 2 prospects but his contract for 2015 is 10 million.
Or there may be other choices, like Jordan Zimmerman.
Or Ben could do nothing, and fill the rotation with try-outs and hope that internal candidates like Owens or Ranaudo fill out the rotation.
You're Ben Cherington, what do you advise your bosses is the best course to take?
1-???
2-Buchholz
3-Porcello
4-Miley
5-Kelly
6-AAA guy
So with a fair amount of financial flexibility and a quiver full of highly regarded prospects, how does Ben fill the hole?.
Pursue the best FA on the market Max Scherzer under the assumption that choice may be for 7/8 years at about a $28 million AAV.
Pursue free-agent James Shields, lets assume he could be had for 5/110.
Cole Hamels can be had in a trade. Lets assume his cost is 2 high ceiling prospects plus his 5/114 contract (5th year option guaranteed)
Johnny Cueto. He's a free agent in 2016 so he's basically a 1 year rental, but may cost 2 prospects but his contract for 2015 is 10 million.
Or there may be other choices, like Jordan Zimmerman.
Or Ben could do nothing, and fill the rotation with try-outs and hope that internal candidates like Owens or Ranaudo fill out the rotation.
You're Ben Cherington, what do you advise your bosses is the best course to take?