Say O!

‘79 was more balanced offensively but ‘83 had peak Ripken and Murray, as well as arguably just as good pitching. And jimmy Dwyer. Ill take ‘83

Cal’s arm and footwork was vastly underrated. Not only did it allow him to play deeper than most SS and enhance his range, but also made his double play turn best in baseball. And after his first couple years where high in throwing errors, Cal became extremely consistent and accurate. Manny has an elite arm but is re-learning how it plays at SS. Without the throwing miscues, he would be positive in DRS I would think...

Ease into MLB next year splitting duties with CJ. Put the Castillo money toward some pitching or Machado extension.

At worst. Perhaps can be an effective starter next year if secondaries keep improving.

Now leads team in fWAR of 3.1

Can you elaborate on why think McLouth is ceiling? Many on board are likely scouting the stat line HRs, watching the video clips and dreaming of something potentially bigger...

This is as much (or more) of a 2018 decision than 2017 alone question. If you move Manny to SS this year, then play him at SS in 2018 too and find viable 3B outside the Organization.

Arrieta also developed a nasty cutter which gave him the movement that he lacked with his four seam fastball. National league umps routinely give him strike calls at or slightly below the knees and it's a virtually unhittable pitch. I think he picked it up immediately from Cubs special instructor now pitching coach Chris Bosio.

Is Texas perhaps saving room for Gallo to be their DH-type?

If we didn't pay Nelson Cruz 3/$50m, why would DD reverse course and do that for Trumbo?

While we all love Manny, we should consider the possibility that his peak is right now. Think of Ripken...aside from '91, his best years were '83-'86. I'd pay $40m/yr for an 8+ WAR guy, but if Manny settles into a 4-5 win player instead...that's a significant overpay.

If true, hope that Buck goes a bit more mix-and-match with alternatives including Machado at SS and Alvarez or Crush at 3B.

Givens' arm slot reminds me of Pedro. Seriously. And although different body type, slinging heaters and sliders from 'pen am reminder how Jeff Nelson carved out a nice long and underrated MLB career as premier RH setup man on winning ballclubs

Who are the bidders on Crush? Maybe NYM. Maybe Boras can go to his money tree Nats. McPhail likely is not dropping that much dough in PHI. But beyond that who is spending >$100m on a 1B/DH? It ain't the Cleveland Indians. With DET, LAA, LAD, NYY, TEX, TOR, BOS more or less restricted here, I just don't see whom will be driving up the price? Could honestly see Boras taking QO and waiting 1yr for more options to fee up (1 yr closer to retirement and/or end of contracts for Tex, ARod, Papi).